Education at MadLab
Blank slate school of improv
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Blank Slate Theatre, Columbus’ home for theatrical, relationship-driven improvisation, focuses on authentic connection, grounded scenes, and meaningful characters. Our classes teach performers to build compelling onstage relationships and create funny, strange, or moving scenes rooted in emotional truth. Whether you’re an experienced improviser, an actor sharpening your instincts, or a curious beginner, Blank Slate helps you find your voice and use it with purpose. Take improv to a new level and grow as an actor, storyteller, and performer.
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About the Class
In Level 2: Scene Work Intensive – The Razowsky Method, you’ll take the foundation built in Level 1 and push it further into fully realized scenes. Guided by the teachings of David Razowsky in A Subversive’s Guide to Improvisation: Beyond Yes, And, this 5-week course focuses on deepening your presence, sharpening your instincts, and expanding your ability to discover the scene that’s already there. Through exercises that emphasize connection, awareness, and bold choices, you’ll learn how to build authentic, layered relationships that carry a scene from its first breath to its last moment. NOTE: The 5-week class begins on October 25 and runs through November 22. All classes are on Saturday mornings, from 10am to noon. If scheduling conflicts should happen, make-up dates agreeable to the majority of students and instructors will be scheduled. Experience Level: This class builds on the foundation of Level 1. If you have prior experience in improv or acting, you may be eligible to join Level 2 directly—just reach out to us first so we can make sure it’s the right fit for you. Email Brad Shimp at bshimp@me.com. What You’ll Walk Away With: • Tools to recognize and respond to what’s actually happening in the moment • Stronger emotional connection and clarity in scene work • The ability to sustain grounded, relationship-driven improvisation • Confidence in trusting the scene instead of “creating” one • Practice in refining your unique voice as an improviser Whether you’re seeking to perform at a higher level, explore new depths in your acting, or simply strengthen your ability to be present with others, Level 2 at the Blank Slate School of Improv will challenge and inspire you. Spots are limited to keep the experience personal and the coaching direct. Note: Some of the words and images you see here were created with a little help from AI tools — kind of like an extra collaborator tossing out ideas in the room. Everything still goes through real humans. |
About your instructors
Brad Shimp: For over 16 years, Brad has been a student, performer, and teacher in improv theater around central Ohio. He’s had the privilege of taking classes from the likes of David Razowsky, Michael Gellman, Patti Stiles, Andrew Hefler, and many other amazing teachers. He’s is the founder of Blank Slate Theater, the Board President of MadLab, and taught theatre arts and improv at Village Academy in Powell. He performs with Blank Slate Theatre at MadLab. Debby Phillips: Debby has been joyfully studying improv since 2012. She has been fortunate to play with and learn from many talented improvisers along the way, including with Columbus Unscripted, The Nest Theatre and for the last five years, with David Razowsky. Debby currently performs with Blank Slate Theatre at MadLab. The fee for the 5 week class is $165
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Young writers short Play Festival 2026
The Young Writers Program began in 2011 and the first Young Writers Short Play Festival in the summer of 2012 as a way to help high school students grow as artists and playwrights, gain professional theatrical experience, and develop critical thinking and editing skills that will help them in the future.
Now entering our 15th year, we have worked with over 100 local high school students producing their short plays. We would love to send a representative to speak to your students in person or via video conference about the Young Writers program! Contact Education Director, James Blackmon at Education@MadLab.net for more information. |
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