Right now
"Yes, and — that's your whole job tonight."
Every Scene
Starts with Yes.
Stories, games, and community
for improvisers at every level.
50+
warm-up games
120+
craft articles
18
cities represented
01 / 05
Your First
Drop-In.
I walked in knowing nobody and walked out feeling like I'd found my people. The first game was 'Yes And' and somehow I cried?
Priya M.
Chicago · curious
Zip Zap Zop
Players stand in a circle. Point to someone and say "Zip." They point to another: "Zap." Next says "Zop" — back to Zip. Speed up. Drop a word, you sit. Last two standing bow.
"The warm-up where you walk around making eye contact and just... nod. That crack…"
— Jordan K., Brooklyn
Free: 50 Warm-Up Games PDF
The games that coaches actually use. Download free, no strings.
02 / 05
Finding Your
Ensemble.
The Opening Move: Why Your First Beat Sets Everything
The opening isn't decoration — it's the DNA of the whole set. Here's how to mine it like Del Close intended.
The 3-Beat Arc
Opening
Free association from audience suggestion
Beat 1
Three unrelated scenes introduced
Group Game
Ensemble pattern emerges
Beat 2
Scenes deepen, connections form
Beat 3
Convergence — everything connects
"The Harold is a container, not a formula." — Del Close
Running a Note Session Without Crushing the Room
Video Breakdown
Classic Armando Set Dissected
03 / 05
Running Your
Own Show.
Workshop Calendar
March 2026Tue
4
Harold Fundamentals
Renata Osei
Sat
8
Coaching Practicum
David Chu
Thu
13
Open Drop-In Jam
House Team
Fri
19
Long-Form Intensive
Mireille Fontaine
Green Room Forum
Anyone else find the second beat harder than the third? My scenes always peak too early and then I'm just surviving.
Hot take: the best openers are the ones that feel like they almost failed. Discuss.
Just finished my first coaching gig. The notes I *didn't* give were more important than the ones I did.
The Basement Ensemble
Member showcase · Feb 2026
"Your job is to make your scene partner look good."
2,400+
members worldwide
04 / 05