Acting for Improvisers with Cynthia Lair (Nov, '26)

Bring your improvised scenes to life and experience what it means to fully inhabit the characters you create. This 2-week intensive is designed to give improvisers space to practice techniques that can help bring a more authenticity to improvised scenes. Bringing acting skills to improv builds the connection between characters and forms more compelling stories for the audience. Learning how to stay present is essential. We will explore moment-to-moment work in scenes and practice how we pursue action and allow reaction through discovery. These skills are a must for improvisers who want to reach for more meaningful characters and stories. Date and Time: 2 weeks, 2 Mondays and Thursdays, Nov 30 to Dec 10, 7:00pm to 9:30pm Location: 650 S Orcas St, Suite 101, Seattle, WA, 98108 Age Requirements: 18+ Prerequisites: Improv 200 or equivalent or by teacher approval Maximum Students: 14 About the Teacher: Cynthia Lair began her career in NYC performing in plays and commercials while studying acting with Uta Hagen. Improv training entered the mix via with Paul Sills, and the Groundlings. In Seattle, Cynthia began performing with The Edge improv in 2001, and eventually found her way to Unexpected Productions in 2015 where she is currently an ensemble member, teacher, and director. Her popular Acting for Improvisers courses at U.P. combines her training and experience. In 2025 she was invited to be a guest artist at the Paper Street Theater Improv Festival where she performed one of her favorite shows, Four Hearts, directed Bestsellers, and taught a workshop based on Second Circle work. Favorite scripted show: The Kathy & Mo Show. Favorite Improv: Kiss of the Killer, Austen Unbound, Improvised Twilight Zone. Favorite Improv quote: from Mike Nichols “Go in empty”. She has also written three cookbooks, produced the online cooking show Cookus Interruptus, and given a TEDx talk: How to Cut an Onion. Cancellation policy: We apologize, but we are unable to offer refunds within two weeks of a class starting. Free or reduced-cost access provided is supported by 4Culture