12 Places Where You Can Take an Improv Class in the Twin Cities
Note: This guide was created in May 2026. Prices, class offerings, instructors, and locations may change, so please check each organization’s website for the most current information before registering.
12 Places Where You Can Take an Improv Class in the Twin Cities
When we finish an improv workshop, one of the most common questions from attendees is, “Where can I learn more?” While Danger Boat Productions offers workshops that focus on applying improv skills in the workplace and beyond, we don’t offer “Improv 101” classes geared towards performance. That’s why we’ve created the list below to serve as a guide where you can learn more about what improv courses are available in Minnesota.
Minnesota has a strong and collaborative improv community. Many performers, teachers, and directors work across multiple theaters, companies, and projects, so you may see the same instructors teaching in different places around town. That’s one of the strengths of the local scene: there are many entry points, and each organization brings a slightly different approach to improv.
Whether you are looking to perform on stage, build confidence, strengthen communication skills, meet new people, or simply try something fun, here are several places to explore improv classes in the Twin Cities Metro region.
1) Very Good Improv
Cost: $250+
Where: Phoenix Theater, 2605 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Instructor: Chris Rodriguez, Jen Scott, Jill Bernard, Laura Berger, Steph Callaghan, Bradley Machov
Very Good Improv is currently one of the most comprehensive improv schools in Minnesota. They offer a structured class track that takes students from 101 through 401, along with regular one-off workshops on topics such as musical improv, character work, and how improv can make you a better Dungeon Master.
Danger Boat connection: Danger Boat has worked with and admired many artists connected to Very Good Improv, and several instructors are active members of the broader Twin Cities improv community.
2) Strike Theater
Cost: $200
Where: Strike Theater, 824 NE 18th Ave Minneapolis, MN
Instructor: Varies
Strike Theater offers performance-focused improv classes, including 101, 201, and 301 levels. Their classes introduce the core skills needed for stage performance, and they also occasionally offer workshops on sketch writing.
Danger Boat connection: Danger Boat has hired several Strike instructors in the past. Strike Theater founder Mike Fotis also served as the artistic director of Sketches of Minnesota.
3) Stevie Ray’s
Cost: $215
Where: Chanhassen and St. Louis Park, MN
Instructor: Varies
Stevie Ray’s offers a performance-track program with beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes. They also regularly offer one-off classes in sketch writing, standup, and related comedy skills.
Danger Boat connection: Danger Boat has worked with some Stevie Ray’s instructors on different projects. More broadly, Minnesota improv owes a real debt to Stevie Ray for the path he helped pave for the art form in this state.
4) Comedy Sportz Twin Cities
Cost: $180
Where: Strike Theater, 824 NE 18th Ave Minneapolis, MN
Instructor: Varies
ComedySportz Twin Cities offers classes focused on short-form improv games and the ComedySportz performance style. This can be a great fit for people who want a fast-paced, game-based introduction to improv.
Danger Boat connection: Danger Boat has worked with performers who have connections to ComedySportz and the larger short-form improv community.
5) Just Kidding Improv
Cost: Unknown
Where: Varies
Instructor: Amy Stedman
Just Kidding Improv offers many programs geared toward youth, along with classes for adults, seniors, and people with different abilities. Their work emphasizes accessibility, play, and inclusion.
Danger Boat connection: Danger Boat worked with Amy Stedman on All St. Paul’s a Stage, a project that was part of the Knight Arts Challenge in 2016.
6) Actors Theater Minnesota
Cost: $175.00
Where: The Cabaret at Camp Bar, 490 N Robert St, St. Paul
Instructor: John Haynes
Actors Theater of Minnesota offers an adult Improv 101 class designed to introduce participants to the basic concepts of improv. This can be a good starting point for beginners who want a low-barrier way to explore the form.
Danger Boat connection: Danger Boat does not have direct experience working with this instructor or organization.
7) Good Camel
Cost: $175 - 275
Where: 825 Arts, 825 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN
Instructor: John Gebratatose
Good Camel offers improv classes specifically curated for BIPOC communities to learn, play, and explore improv together. Their classes create a welcoming space for participants to build confidence, community, and performance skills.
Danger Boat connection: John Gebretatose and several other Good Camel instructors have been cast members or collaborators with Danger Boat.
8) Minneapolis Community Ed
Cost: $25+
Where: Varies
Instructor: Varies
Minneapolis Community Education offers a variety of affordable classes, including improv and theater options for both students and adults. Class availability varies by season, but this can be one of the most accessible ways to try improv for the first time.
Danger Boat connection: Danger Boat does not have direct experience with these specific classes as the instructors and curriculum tend to be inconsistent.
9) Stage Your Change
Cost: $125
Where: Varies
Instructor: Mandi Bedburry, Erin Roberts, and Darwin Smith
Stage Your Change often focuses on improv for actors who want to strengthen their stage, audition, or on-camera skills. This may be a strong option for performers who want to use improv as part of a broader acting practice.
Danger Boat connection: Danger Boat has worked with both Erin Roberts and Darwin Smith on several projects, including The Theater of Public Policy and Sketches of Minnesota.
10) Theatre 55
Cost: $95
Where: Center for Performing Arts, 3754 Pleasant Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
Instructor: Dane Stauffer
Theatre 55 provides theater education and performance opportunities for older adults. Their improv offerings are especially well suited for seniors interested in creativity, connection, and performance.
Danger Boat connection: Danger Boat has not worked directly with Theatre 55, but we have had the pleasure of working with Dane Stauffer at several of our Unscripted Minnesota Holiday shows. Dane is a talented performer, and students would be lucky to learn from him.
11) MN Children’s Theatre
Cost: $450+
Where: Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
Instructor: Varies
Children’s Theatre Company offers theater classes and camps for young people of many ages. Their improv offerings vary from season to season and are often part of summer camps or short-term programs.
Danger Boat connection: Danger Boat staff have attended performances at Children’s Theatre Company and may know some of the artists involved, but we do not have direct experience with their classes.
12) Children’s Performing Arts
Cost: $175 - 275
Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave, White Bear Lake, MN
Instructor: Varies
Children’s Performing Arts offers youth theater programming, including summer camps, for students in the northern Twin Cities metro area. This can be a helpful option for families looking for theater and improv opportunities outside Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Danger Boat connection: Danger Boat does not have direct experience with this organization.
Conclusion
Minnesota is lucky to have a wide range of improv classes for adults, youth, seniors, performers, beginners, and people who simply want to try something new. Some programs focus on stage performance. Others emphasize confidence, creativity, inclusion or community connection. The best class for you depends on what you want to get out of it.
At Danger Boat Productions, we believe improv is more than comedy. It is a powerful way to practice listening, collaboration, adaptability, and communication. Those skills matter on stage, but they also matter in workplaces, classrooms, conferences, and community conversations.
If you are looking for a public improv class, any of the organizations above could be a great place to start. However, if you like learning about improv, but aren’t interested in performing on stage, we can help with that! Whether you're looking to level up your communication skills at a public workshop, strengthen team building at your organization, or bring the energy up at an event, Danger Boat's team of talented improvisers and instructors would love to be involved.
