Explore your creativity with Deep End Theater!
"If everything else is built on the foundation, then the foundation must be continually cared for to ensure that the performer never loses strength and integrity." ~ Domeka Parker
About our training program:
At Deep End we don't subscribe to the levels system of classes you often find in other improv training programs. Instead we move more organically and based on each students unique process, interests and next steps. This way you never become lost in the illusion of progress, you make actual progress, quantifiable and truly satisfying. In our program you'll follow your interests, your curiosity and your instructors recommendations to deepen your experience and develop your skills.
If you are new to Improv, curious but inexperienced, start with our Intro to Improv class.
If you have some experience in improv but are new to our program, Foundations of Sound Improv is a great place to start.
Scene Study is a wonderful class to take to explore and strengthen your acting and storytelling skills. This class is a beat by beat exploration of what makes great improvised scene-work, its a terrific opportunity to practice what you've learned in Foundations with the guidance of an excellent instructor.
Form & Function is a class that focuses on the devised structures used in improvised theater, edits, formats, styles, vocabulary and exploration toward innovation.
Improvising Drama digs into working with emotional content, performance savvy, stage craft and dramatic storytelling. The goal of this class is to strengthen the actor, broaden their work and develop their skill not only to tell dramatic stories on stage, but to enrich all improv shows with dynamic characters and great acting.
Storytelling is a unique class wherein students explore the art and craft of personal narrative storytelling. This is not an improvisational theater class but supports the work through teaching about story structure, timing and engaging your audience.
Scroll down to view all of our classes and details. We hope to see you soon.
At Deep End we don't subscribe to the levels system of classes you often find in other improv training programs. Instead we move more organically and based on each students unique process, interests and next steps. This way you never become lost in the illusion of progress, you make actual progress, quantifiable and truly satisfying. In our program you'll follow your interests, your curiosity and your instructors recommendations to deepen your experience and develop your skills.
If you are new to Improv, curious but inexperienced, start with our Intro to Improv class.
If you have some experience in improv but are new to our program, Foundations of Sound Improv is a great place to start.
Scene Study is a wonderful class to take to explore and strengthen your acting and storytelling skills. This class is a beat by beat exploration of what makes great improvised scene-work, its a terrific opportunity to practice what you've learned in Foundations with the guidance of an excellent instructor.
Form & Function is a class that focuses on the devised structures used in improvised theater, edits, formats, styles, vocabulary and exploration toward innovation.
Improvising Drama digs into working with emotional content, performance savvy, stage craft and dramatic storytelling. The goal of this class is to strengthen the actor, broaden their work and develop their skill not only to tell dramatic stories on stage, but to enrich all improv shows with dynamic characters and great acting.
Storytelling is a unique class wherein students explore the art and craft of personal narrative storytelling. This is not an improvisational theater class but supports the work through teaching about story structure, timing and engaging your audience.
Scroll down to view all of our classes and details. We hope to see you soon.
Winter 2020 CLASSES
Your Instructor: Leann began storytelling at the young age of six in the first-grade classroom of Sister Eileen Francis during Show and Tell. To this day she does not know how it was that the Sister let her go on and on…and on. Since then Leann has become a professional storyteller, improviser, host and improv coach with an knack for on the spot, improvisational storytelling. Leann is the co-producer and host of The Blackonteurs, a storytelling show featuring only black and African American storytellers. Her ability to improvise stories from the stories of others, recently got her voted Best Host of the 3 rd Annual Northwest Black Comedy Festival. Leann has also appeared as a storyteller at 7 Deadly Sins, Telltale, Roar and Front Porch Sessions. Leann has a strength-based approach to coaching and is grounded in the philosophy that story gives meaning and connection to that which seems random and meaningless. “Stories,” she says, “are our significance. If we lose story, we lose our existence.” |
Storytelling
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Introduction to Sound Improv
The catapult toward skill, craftsmanship and creative freedom Instructor: Mike Carlip
Mondays - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm January 6th - February 10th $215- 6 classes SAVE 15% by registering early! Early Bird pricing is $182.75! (payment plans are available) No experience necessary! Are you interested in learning more about improvisational theater? Do you want to break out of your shell or rejuvenate your creativity? If you are new to improv, this class is an incredibly accessible, playful, and exciting introduction. Rooted in acting, this class is incredibly fun, low pressure, and community-based radness!
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Payment plans are available. If you cannot pay the full price of your class today, you can hold your spot with a non-refundable $50 deposit. When we receive it we will contact you to discuss your payment options.
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I didn't think I could like this class any more, but each week was better than the last." ~Andrew C.
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Meet your instructor:
Mike Carlip has been doing theater in some form since age 12. After graduating with a degree in directing theater from Bennington College, he was selected to join Kadmus Theater Studio (Bennington, Vt), where he collaborated and performed original works deeply influenced by Polish theater luminary Jerzy Grotowski. With Kadmus Theater Studio, Mike has performed in experimental theater festivals both internationally and domestically. He has since both directed and performed in scripted theater productions in the New York metro area and SW Florida. Since moving to Portland four years ago, Mike has fallen head over heels with Improvisational Theater. He has been on house teams at both Curious Comedy Theater and The Ape Theater. He can most often be seen performing with his independant improv monoscene team bigTINY. Mike can also be seen at the Deep End Theater as a part of their ensemble, and at KickStand Comedy as part of "Secret Aardvark", "Night Cheese", "P.L.O.W", and "Rat King shows". Mike is really excited to help others fall head over heels in love with improv & looks forward to meeting you. |
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Foundations of Sound Improv
Learn to innovate improvisational theater (FULL) Instructor: Domeka Parker
Tuesdays - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm January 7th - February 11th $255 - 6 classes + 1 performance (payment plans are available) This class focuses on the fundamentals of Sound Improv and lays the groundwork for further study. Our Foundations class develops and strengthens the most important skills of theatrical improvisation. This class benefits performers of all ranges of improvisation experience, but some experience is preferred. Sound Improv is a unique approach to improvisation that emphasizes acting, honors theater, and broadens our understanding of what improv is and can be.
Meet your instructor:
Domeka Parker has lived a life rich in improvisational theater. Raised by actor/improvisers, she grew up in the greenrooms, classrooms and cheap seats of her parents theater world. Domeka began teaching improv in 2010, became A.D. Portland's first improv focused theater in 2013 and began her own theater in 2016.
She is currently owner and A.D. of Deep End Theater, (her baby). As an instructor and a performer Domeka has traveled the world multiple times sharing the work of SOUND IMPROV, a unique approach to improvisational theater she created with aspirations toward giving improv back to the theater and honoring its roots while simultaneously innovating. Domeka has trained with some of the worlds best improv instructors and has used that training to inspire many up and comers in the field. |
Payment plans are available. If you cannot pay the full price of your class today, you can hold your spot with a non-refundable $50 deposit. When we receive it we will contact you to discuss your payment options.
Sound Improv training has improved me as a performer and a person." ~Katelyn L. |
Form and Function:
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Jonathan Erickson took his first improv class in 1995 and has been in love with the arts ever since. He went on to write, direct and perform in theatre and film in Los Angles and New York, before going back to school for a PhD in psychology and writing a dissertation on creative imagination.
He’s passionate about the power of improv and music to help people connect with each other and discover the depths of their own creativity. |
Intro to Musical Improv:
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Improv For Kids
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Payment plans are available. If you cannot pay the full price of your class today, you can hold your spot with a non-refundable $50 deposit. When we receive it we will contact you to discuss your payment options.
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Deep End Theater classes are a true joy to experience, and a great way to connect with other creative, fun people.
Gunther O.
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Deep End focuses on strength, skill and trust based instruction with equity and inclusion at the core of teaching and learning methodology.
Leann J.
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Classes at Deep End Theater are an intuitive, refreshing approach to improv. It's rare to feel both safe and challenged to reach new heights in improv class -- and Domeka has managed to accomplish exactly that in her classes. I found myself stretching new muscles of emotional truth and connection with my partners on stage and the audience. This theater offers classes as rewarding as they are fun!
Sarah T.
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Deep End Theater is a genuinely inclusive and safe environment not only for the exploration of improvisation, but the exploration of one's self!
Linnea W.
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My experience in this class was unlike any other theater or improv class before. Domeka creates an environment of trust, safety and compassion that allows the students the choice to go beyond the structures and formulas of traditional improv, to create daring, inclusive, challenging and dynamic pieces of theater.
Anneke W.
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It's like improv detox. I let go of some bad habits and fell back in love with improv. Fun, exhilarating class!
Sarah D.
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The best improv instructor I've ever had. So insightful. Fun, powerful class.
Sharon L.
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*We encourage all students of any level of experience to first complete a Sound Improv Foundations class before taking our second and third layer classes to establish a shared vocabulary and understanding of our style, philosophy and approach.
Sound Improv is taught in layers rather than levels. The foundations of Sound Improv are paramount and need continued practice and focus. We encourage students to take the Foundations class as they're introduction to the rest of our curriculum, but we also encourage experienced students to revisit this class as regularly as possible. It is also important that students with a wealth of experience in other styles and approaches to improv take our foundations class in order to learn our vocabulary and approach. Students dive deeper as individuals rather than as groups. Foundations instructors are prepared to modify lessons to create individual growth with each student. No matter what your experience level is when you enter a foundations class, you will complete that class with quantifiable growth on and off stage.
Past & Future Class Offerings
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Returning to our schedule in Fall.
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We also offer a variety of special skill workshops:
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In between class sessions we offer a FREE workshop, giving you a chance to dip your toes into the Deep End and see how you like it.
We also have an exceptional Young Actors Program with two specialized classes:
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