Classes
Kurse
WHY TAKE AN IMPROV COURSE?
Taking an improv theatre course has numerous benefits and no two people apply for the same reasons. Maybe you would like to kiss awake your imagination? Shut off your brain and do something fun? Experience a unique form of team work? Learn the power of a yes-attitude and see where it takes you? Boost your communication and social skills? Meet new people? Or just play theatre without the text-learning bit?
Improv theater offers it all - in the most fun way possible! Plus, you'll make new friends in a supportive, creative international community!
Welcome to Storylab(or) in Zurich!
Scroll down to book the class that fits your level.
Want to make fast progress? Book individual sessions
Practical information and Terms & Conditions at the bottom of this page
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Our Class Levels
Storylabor offers a range of classes for students with all levels of experience:
Taster – a one-off session in our Level 1 class to see if improv is right for you. (Psssst: It is!)
Basics (Level 1) – Discover the fundamentals of improv in a playful and supportive environment.
Core Skills (Level 2) – Deepen your understanding of core improv skills, explore scene work and learn techniques to move scenes forward.
Intermediate Skills (Level 3) – Understand how patterns can drive scenes, and learn more advanced methods like “Game of the Scene.”
Long Form (Level 4 +) – Play extended long-form formats, and develop tools (character, relationships, emotions) to create interesting scenes.
Prices
There are usually 8 sessions in a term. Unless otherwise noted, the prices for a term are:
CHF 360 – 390 (depending on how early you sign up)
CHF 250 for low income / students / Kulturlegi
Term 4 is In Progress
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Next Term starts 26th October
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Term 4 is In Progress 〰️ Next Term starts 26th October 〰️
Genug geswipt - komm spielen!
Impro-Event für Singles
Donnerstag 29. Oktober, ab 19h
Brewdaz, Hardplatz 17
Hast du genug von den Dating-Apps, vom endlosen Wischen und von Chats, die nach drei Nachrichten im Sand verlaufen? Dann komm zu unserem Improabend für Singles und lern neue Leute so kennen, wie es eigentlich sein sollte: live, mit Lachen und ganz ohne Profilbild.
Impro erfordert Teamwork, Zuhören, Offenheit, Humor - Jede Improszene ist eine Begegnung mit offenem Ausgang…
Improv Taster Session
Monday 26th October, 19.00 - 21.00h
Quartierräume Bullinger, Mehrzweckraum, Bullingerstr. 9
Teacher: Dan
Come to this fun and creative taster session for newbies in a supportive & playful atmosphere!
After some group warmups we will play easy improv games for all levels.
Perfect to find out if you want to take a level 1 improv class.
NOTE: Check “First Session only” when buying the ticket.
If you continue after week 1, you’ll need to buy a normal pass in addition.
(availability not guaranteed)
Improv Basics (Level 1)
8x Mondays, Oct 26th - Dec 14th
19.00 - 21.00h
Location: Quartierräume Bullinger, Bullingerstr. 9, 8004 ZH
Teacher: Dan
Showcase: Dec 17-20th (date tbd, participation is voluntary)
This group is working on exploring the basics of improv. It is all about playful discovery and supporting each other.
Perfect if you want to give improv a go and have fun, develop self-confidence, teamwork and creativity.
Get to know a group of like-minded friendly beginners. No previous experience required.
You will practise:
creativity & playfulness
freeing yourself from the inner judge
confidence on stage
teamwork
saying YES and seeing where it takes you
building solid beginnings to good improv scenes
simple short form improv games, as seen in Theatersports shows
Unsure whether you want to commit to eight weeks?
Buy just the first session for 35 CHF (check option “Only first session”)
However, if you want to continue afterwards, course places are subject to availability
and you will need to pay the entire course fee in addition.
Improv Lab: Core Skills (Level 2)
8x Wednesdays, 28th Oct - 16th Dec
19.00 - 21.00h
Location: Brewdaz
Teacher: Bernie
Showcase: Dec 17- 20th (date tbd)
Experience level: have some previous stage experience
In this course, we deepen and expand our understanding of the basic principles learned in the previous level. We look at the basic working of improv scenes and we introduce new techniques such as status play and tilts.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in a public show at the end — taking the fun to a new level!
Status play: High Status and Low Status
Emotional dynamics (affect and be affected!)
Platforms, Tilts and turns
Use silence / pauses in order to inspire a story
Listening
Inspiring your partner
Improv Lab: Intermediate Skills (Level 3)
Next class: January 2027
19.00 - 21.00h
Location: tba
Teacher:
Showcase:
In this course, we train to spot patterns, about “what makes this scene unique?”
We deepen and expand our understanding of the basic principles learned in the previous level, and we introduce new comedy techniques such as “Game of the scene” and “Two peas in a pod”.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in a public show at the end — taking the fun to a new level!
learn to recognise pattern
be aware of what is going on in a scene
identify the “game of the scene”
heightening the game
playing straight line and wavy line
playing two peas in a pod
how to play group scenes of more than two people
Long Form Class: Slacker (Level 4+)
waiting list only - 2nd Tuesday class planned if enough interest
8x Tuesdays, Oct 27th - Dec 15th
19.00 - 21.00h
Location: Kellertheater of GZ Buchegg
Teacher: JC
Showcase: Dec 18th
You need Storylabor Levels 1–3 as a prerequisite or equivalent experience.
Explore the art of long-form improvisation through character depth, relationship, and sustained ensemble play.
This class focuses on learning to play a long form improv show with a Christmas theme, a format called “Ho Ho Ho”.
It is based off of a basic longform called Slacker, which works with tag-outs, edits, and walk-ons
You will practise:
Tag-outs and walk-ons as basic improv editing techniques
Build memorable characters through voice, physicality, status, and point of view
Explore relationships as they deepen, shift, and transform over time
Develop long-form narrative threads
Strengthen ensemble awareness and trust while staying present in the moment
Find compelling story without forcing plot or rushing to resolution
Practical information about our courses / Terms & Conditions / Participants
Our students are mostly non-native English speakers.
Average class size is 8-14 people.
You don’t need to be “funny” (but you may discover that you actually are…).
Improv is a team activity where all kinds of personal qualities complement each other.
Class rules
You can skip single sessions, but we encourage regular attendance.
We open up a WhatsApp chat for class communication and community building. Participation is optional.
We expect all participants to treat fellow students and instructors with basic respect and consideration. This includes being mindful of others during exercises, avoiding discriminatory or disruptive behaviour, and contributing to a safe and supportive learning environment.
We reserve the right to remove any participant from a class or course if their behaviour significantly disrupts the group or compromises the safety and wellbeing of others. In such cases, no refund will be provided.
We aim to deliver all courses with the instructor listed in the course description. However, we reserve the right to substitute teachers where necessary due to illness, availability, or scheduling changes. In such cases, we ensure an appropriately experienced instructor delivers the class.
Pricing
Student and low-income discounts are limited in availability and apply only at the time of initial enrollment. They cannot be applied retrospectively.
We do not offer discounts, refunds, or prorated fees for partial attendance, missed classes, or late sign-ups. This applies regardless of personal circumstances once a course has started.
Refunds are only available for confirmed and paid bookings where a participant is unable to attend due to medical reasons and provides valid documentation. In such cases, refunds apply only to unused course fees.