Train. Play. Perform.
Train with visiting instructors. Play with improvisers from across the region. Perform for a live audience.
The Uptown Improv Academy offers intensive training for improvisers who want to grow beyond the basics and explore the deeper craft of scene work, character, and collaboration. Through focused workshops, visiting instructors, and immersive weekend programs, the Academy connects improvisers from across the region and expands opportunities to study the art of improv in Central New York.
The academy experience
The Uptown Improv Academy is a weekend training program at the historic Uptown Theater in Utica, NY, hosted by the Uptown Improv Company. Designed for improvisers with prior training in longform improv who want to deepen their craft and work with experienced visiting artists, participants train in small cohorts, working closely with instructors to explore scene work, character development, and ensemble dynamics in a focused and supportive environment.
Training sessions are paired with performance opportunities and coached ensemble work, allowing improvisers to immediately apply what they’re learning on stage. The result is a program that combines study, performance, and collaboration — giving participants the space to challenge themselves, expand their skills, and connect with other improvisers from across the region.
what the weekend includes
Friday Night Academy Show (7PM-9PM)
Kick off the weekend with a relaxed improv performance by the instructors for Academy participants, followed by a post-show Q&A discussion exploring the choices and techniques behind the work.
Saturday Intensive Training Sessions (9:30AM-12:30PM, 1:30PM-4:30PM)
Spend the day working in small cohorts with Billy Soco and Holly Mandel, focusing on scene work, character development, and ensemble responsiveness.
Saturday Night Performance (8PM-10PM)
Participants and instructors take the stage with Billy and Holly for a public performance at the Uptown, giving students a chance to apply what they’ve been exploring in the workshops.
Sunday Teacher Training Workshop (10AM-12PM)
A special session focused on the craft of teaching improv. Participants explore how to structure exercises, give effective notes, and guide students toward stronger scene work.
Sunday Coaching and Ensemble Work (10AM-12PM)
The weekend concludes with focused coaching sessions designed to deepen the work from Saturday and help participants strengthen their instincts, habits, and collaborative skills as improvisers.
Sunday Uptown Ensemble Workshop (12:30PM–2:30PM)
This session is for Uptown students who are interested in committing to regular performance at the Uptown as part of a Flagship Ensemble or Development Team. Participants will work together in a focused rehearsal setting, building on the weekend’s training while emphasizing consistency, group awareness, and long-form structure. This workshop also serves as an opportunity for us to identify and shape ensembles moving forward, with an expectation of ongoing rehearsal and performance commitment.
TRAINING TRACKS
Participants will train in one of two cohorts based on experience level.
Intermediate Track
For improvisers who have completed introductory training and have experience in longform improv, and are looking to deepen their understanding of scene work, relationship, and collaboration. This track focuses on strengthening core skills and expanding the tools improvisers use to build engaging scenes.
Advanced Track
For experienced improvisers with prior training and performance experience in longform improv who are ready to explore more complex scene work, character development, and longform structure. This track emphasizes sustained point of view, ensemble responsiveness, and deeper exploration of performance choices.
To ensure the best learning environment, participants will be placed into cohorts based on their experience and training background as indicated in the registration form.
Each cohort is limited to 16 participants to allow for focused coaching and ample stage time.
meet the instructors
holly mandel
Holly has been teaching, performing, and directing improvisation and sketch comedy writing in both Los Angeles and New York City for many-a-decade. She founded the first woman-owned and operated improv school in 2001 in New York City after performing as a Groundlings Main Company member for over 6 years in LA. Before leaving, she proudly created the longest-running long-form show in LA, “The Crazy Uncle Joe Show”, which you can see any Wednesday night there.
Holly performs with Drew Droege in an improvised show with wigs that they cleverly called, “WigProv”. She also started THE LOWBAR improv studio in LA from 2015-2017.
She studied with the wonderful SECOND CITY director Jeff Michalski for many years and Aretha Sills (Viola Spolin’s granddaughter). She’s appeared on TV, film and countless commercials (2 of them award-winning in fact!) - all of them using a LOT of improv. She was also on the rotating sub team of improvisers for WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (for the one ‘girl’ slot.)
She teaches Improvisation and Sketch at PACE UNIVERSITY in NYC, creating the BFA Comedy Studies program there. She has taught at USC and UCLA, and has traveled to London, Bristol, Sydney and Melbourne to teach as well. She also started her own corporate improv training company in 2011 called iMergence.
It’s all here — www.HollyMandel.com
billy soco
Billy Soco is a NYC–based actor, improv teacher, facilitator, and voice artist of Chilean and Filipino descent. He teaches in The Second City Conservatory and serves as artistic director of the Megawatt house team program at Magnet Theater, where he also teaches improv and musical improv.
Billy began performing poetry and freestyle rap in the Southeast in the early 2000s before moving to NYC, where he trained at Magnet Theater, Upright Citizens Brigade, The Second City Conservatory, and Freestyle Love Supreme Academy. His performance credits include The Armando Diaz Experience, North Coast, Baby Wants Candy, Shamilton, ComedySportz, Big Whoop, Kittyhawk, and SaltPepperKetchup. He can also be heard on the Smash Boom Best podcast and the award-winning Story Pirates Podcast.
He has taught and performed at festivals and theaters in the U.S. and internationally, including the Vancouver Improv Festival, Out of Bounds (Austin), Robin Hood International Improv Festival (UK), Teatro Lospleimovil (Chile), Improv Utopia, and Last Word Comedy Festival (VA), where he was an inaugural academy instructor. Billy is also the founding producer of Shoes Off, an all-Asian improv comedy show, and a facilitator with The Second City Works, bringing applied improv offstage to teams and organizations.
Billy aims to bring forward diverse voices in improv and his teaching emphasizes authenticity, playful exploration, and a strong ensemble mindset. More at billysoco.com
TUITION & REGISTRATION
Founding Cohort Rate: $225
Available through March 30
Regular Tuition: $250
March 31 – April 24
Payment plans are available at checkout, allowing you to spread the cost over multiple installments.
Enrollment is limited to 32 participants total, with a maximum of 16 improvisers per training track to ensure focused coaching and ample stage time.
Early registration is encouraged as space is limited.
TRAVELING TO UTICA
Improvisers from across the region and beyond are welcome to join the Uptown Improv Academy. Utica is centrally located in Upstate New York and accessible by train or car from many cities throughout the Northeast.
travel times
New York City — ~4 hours (Amtrak or car)
Boston — ~4 hours by car
New Haven / Hartford, CT — ~3.5–4 hours by car
Philadelphia — ~4.5 hours by car
Baltimore — ~6 hours by car
Toronto / Montreal — ~4.5 hours by car
Buffalo — ~3 hours by car
Rochester — ~2 hours by car
Amtrak provides direct service between New York City and Utica, with the station located just minutes from the Uptown Theatre.
lodging
Several hotels are located within a short drive of the Uptown Theatre. Participants traveling from out of town may wish to stay in downtown Utica or nearby areas such as North Utica or New Hartford, which offer convenient access to the theater as well as restaurants and cafes.
Recommended options include:
Delta Hotels by Marriott Utica(downtown)
Rosemont Inn Bed & Breakfast (historic inn less than a mile from the Uptown)
There are also many Airbnb options throughout Utica and the surrounding neighborhoods, which can be a good choice for participants traveling with friends or teammates.
Utica’s walkable downtown and growing arts scene make it an easy and welcoming place to spend the weekend.
MAKE IT AN IMPROV WEEKEND
Improvisers traveling from out of town may wish to make a weekend of it. Train during the day, perform at night, and spend time connecting with other improvisers who have traveled in for the Academy.
Participants are welcome to attend with friends, teammates, or fellow students and treat the weekend as a chance to study together and experience the Uptown community.