Shakespeare’s Improvised Revels: A Six-Week Sojourn in "Wit and Whimsy”

In this six week class, we'll begin by placing our focus on the six levels of Elizabethan Society. Acquaint ourselves with the tropes and structures of Shakespeare's plays and his various takes on romance. Enjoy the richness of his language through the use of metaphor and simile. Experiment with Original Pronunciation and delight in the forms of wordplay Shakespeare is known for. Please note: In our time together in class, anyone may play any role they feel called to explore.

You'll leave the class with a greater understanding of improvising in the style of Shakespeare. And a resource guide to support you as you go forward in your improvised Shakespeare journey.

Hark! Enroll in this sojourn of six swift weeks, Where wisdom’s quill doth inscribe thy soul with learning’s gentle art.
And in those merry hours of revelry, Where play and pleasure entwine, Gentle joys shall suffuse Thy noble hearts with mirth divine.

"For thou art fascinating, in ways most infinite!"— Diana Brown

Details:
Dates: Sundays, 11am-1:30pm, May 18, May 25, June 1, June 15, June 22 & June 29 (No class on June 8) 6 week course - 2.5 hour class. (15 hours)
Class Size: 16 Maximum
Requirements: Completion of Level 2 Improv at All Out Comedy Theater or another Improv Training Center.
Teacher: Diana Brown
Location: All Out Comedy Theater, 2550 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94612
Wellness: If you have symptoms of feeling sick the day of class, please stay home and contact your teacher.
Show Access: All students will receive a student ID card during their session. This gives students access to watch as many shows for free while taking classes.

About the Teacher:
Diana Brown has led workshops on improvising in the style of Shakespeare at All Out Comedy, in San Francisco and at improv festivals around the country. And she's led festival ensembles in the style of Shakespeare at SAVI Fest, Queen City Comedy Experience, and Uptown Improv Festival. Diana was voted Most Valuable Mentor and Teacher at the San Francisco Improv Festival. She's presented improv workshops at Improv Fest Ireland, Belfast Improv Fest, Vancouver Improv Festival, SAVI Fest, Camp Improv Utopia, Uptown Improv Festival, Tucson Comedy Arts Festival, Ocean State Improv Fest, IMPRIDE San Diego, Salt Lake City DuoFest, 2nd Best Comedy Fest, Improv MKE, Cornerstone Improv, New Orleans Improv Festival, Denver Improv Festival, Rise Improv Intensive (upcoming), and others. She leads the improv program at Berkeley Repertory Theatre's School of Theatre, is a member of the leadership team and faculty with Leela Theatre San Francisco, and a teaching artist with BATS in San Francisco.
Diana plays with the Shakespearean inspired trio Gamesome Frolic. She's is half of the internationally touring comedy duo Bingewatch, performs with the Twilight Zone inspired ensemble But of Mind. She plays with the Tennessee Williams inspired duo Fleeting Reminiscence, the trios POPTOP and Slumber Party and the duos Secret Lives of Villains, and Salt & Pepper.

Diana has enjoyed sold out appearances at San Francisco Sketch Fest. She’s appeared at Impro Amsterdam, Improv Fest Ireland, Vancouver Improv Fest, Bay Area Musical Improv Fest. SAVI Fest, Uptown Improv Fest, Ocean State Improv Fest , Packfest, LA, Tucson Comedy Arts Fest, Countdown Improv Fest, Rise Comedy Fest, The Queen City Comedy Experience, San Francisco Improv Fest, Improvaganza Hawaii Festival of Improv, San Diego Improv Fest, New York Improv Festival, New Orleans Improv Fest, Twin Cities Improv Fest, Alaska State Improv Fest, and others. Diana also performs in scripted theater productions, appearing in festivals in New York, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Most recently in Playground’s Solo Fest 2025.