Award-Winning Second City Alumnus Brian G. Smith Artistic Directs weekly Improv classes at the Centre for Social Innovation [CSI]. The culture of CSI permeates the class; it's an inclusive, positive & fun place to exercise your brain and spirit.

Annex Improv focuses on exercises that promote honest reactions and interactions. The process is deep; it makes for better relationships, creative writing, & personal/professional growth.
​
CLICK HERE FOR OUR YEAR-ROUND SCHEDULE
"I'm so thankful to be part of this amazing community of fun and laughter. Thank you all so much. "
Eryn,
Creative Agent, Ion 8
Student, Continuing Class
"...last night was so much fun, and what made it spectacular was the fact that hanging out with everyone felt like being home"
 Caro,
Section Editor, IFEX
Student, Continuing Class
At Best: You will open up new neural pathways in your mind. These new (or more likely re-newed) brain waves will give you new insight into human interaction and reveal creative genius that you had no idea was inside you. In short: you will become superhuman; a demi-god(ess).
At Least: You will get out of the house, do something different one night a week. You'll meet some other like-minded people who are getting out of their houses to do something different one night a week. You will be given the opportunity to explore/heighten re-discover your creative side in a safe and caring/structured environment.
PLAY

The main idea behind these exercises is to re-learn how to ‘play’.

We all knew how to do this quite naturally as children, but as adults most of us have learned to not ‘goof around’. Allowing ourselves to play is essential to good theatre and to our sanity as humans.

This can be immeasurably helpful when it comes to thinking on your feet at work, speaking in front of others, and generally enjoying life more.

BRAINS

You may have heard the accepted theory that our brains are divided into two halves. One side is the logical, calculating side of our thinking. The other is the spontaneous, creative side of our mind.

Obviously we need to have both sides to get through life, but most of us have overworked the linear side and let the creative side get soft and lazy. Because many of these exercises depend upon saying the first thing, they exercise our spontaneous brain side.

A MOMENT OF TRUTH

We must learn to allow our instincts (or muse or subconscious or whatever we call it) to carry us through the scenes. When that side gets going, you won’t believe some of the things that you will come up with.

As improvisers, what we are aiming for is to discover the ‘truth’ of the moment on stage and to develop the ability to stay in that moment. By doing this, scripted lines [& speeches] start to sound like they’ve been said for the first time. These exercises are immeasurably helpful in that regard.