Unsure about improv? Let us give you a taste! This 2 hour class shows you what improv is all about. Sign up alone or with friends and meet new fun people!
The Boom Chicago Academy is your gateway to improv and comedy! Whether you’re a beginner or ready to refine your craft, we offer a variety of opportunities to learn, perform, and have fun:
- Improv Training Program: Dive into our six-level curriculum with eight-week courses (three hours per session). Start with the basics or work your way up to advanced scene work.
- Comedy Electives and Workshops: Broaden your skills with specialized classes in stand-up, storytelling, sketch writing, and more.
- Community Nights and Shows: Perform on stage, watch your peers, and connect with others in our supportive comedy community.
Not sure where to start? Take a two-hour Taster Class for just €30, and we’ll credit the fee if you join a full course. Stick around after class to socialize with your new friends at the Boom Bar. It’s all part of the experience.
Come for the laughs, stay for the community. Join us today!
Session Dates for 2025
Term 1: January 5 – March 1
Term 2: March 9 – May 3
Term 3: May 11 – July 5 (On Sale Now!)
Summer Intensives (On Sale Now!)
• August 3-8: Long Form Intensive
• August 10-15: Musical Improv
Term 4: August 17 – October 11 (On Sale July 11)
Term 5: October 19 – December 13 (On Sale September 19)
Unsure about improv? Let us give you a taste! For 2 hours on a Saturday afternoon, Boom Chicago actors will give you an insight into what we do on stage. Feel the thrill of improvisation and get ready to have fun! No experience is necessary.
Taking an improv taster class is not an essential part of our training program, but it is a great introduction. A taster class costs €30, but if you decide to join a full class (Intro to Improv), we’ll deduct this from your fee.
Unlock the world of improv with our engaging Introductory Improv Class! Perfect for beginners, this course dives into the essentials of improvisation, guiding students through fun exercises in agreement, commitment, spontaneity, and active listening. No prior experience or special training is needed—everyone is welcome to jump in and discover the magic of improv!
After class, keep the good times rolling! Head to our Boom Bar, where you can unwind, share laughs, and connect with your new improv friends over drinks. At Boom Chicago, we believe the joy of improv doesn’t stop when the class ends—it’s a community that keeps the fun going. Join us and discover the endless possibilities of improv in Amsterdam’s most dynamic space!
CLASSES
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Curious about improv? Try it out!
Spend two fun-filled hours on a Saturday afternoon with Boom Chicago’s actors and discover the thrill of improvisation. No experience? No problem! This taster class is the perfect intro to thinking on your feet and having a blast. At just €30, it’s a great deal. And if you join our Intro to Improv course, we’ll credit the fee toward your class. Come as you are and leave with a smile (and maybe a new hobby)!
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Eight Weeks – No Experience Needed!
In this introductory eight-week course, students explore the fundamental principles of improv through exercises in agreement, commitment, spontaneity and listening. You don’t need any experience or training to join. And the excitement doesn’t end there! Stay for a drink with your (new) friends at our Boom Bar!
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In this level, students will explore the foundations of good scene work, including how to form scenes based on emotions, relationships, points of view, and the environment. The two-person scene is the foundation of short and long-form improvisation. -
Continue your development! This course focuses on giving students the tools to develop interesting and well-rounded characters. Various frames of reference will be used including physicality, emotion, status, and music. -
Now that you have the basic tools of improv, we’re going to dive into the energy and commitment of short-form game play. Each week we will learn a different subset of games, with focus on a different point of inspiration. -
Get out of your head and onto your feet! This workshop will focus on owning the stage. Learn the most concise way to host an improv game or an entire show. In addition, we will dive into the ins and outs of editing in order to make everyone in the audience and on stage feel like rockstars. -
Through exploration of genre and themes, students will create their own short-form games and perform an original running order for their final showcase performance. Get ready to receive compliments from your friends! -
This level expands on the students’ previous scene work experience and delves deeper into building dynamic and supportive scenes. Topics include starting scenes organically, exploring support moves and understanding opening devices. -
In this course, students will explore the concepts of game and point of view, and how they can use them to drive scenes. They will be introduced to concepts like shiny objects, gift-giving, justifying and straight-manning. These will help pinpoint interesting directions scenes can go and help all players to get on the same page as to what the next moves might be. -
A sweeping overview of long-form formats that will give students an introduction to iconic forms including the La Ronde, the Pretty Flower, the Living Room, and many more.
ELECTIVES AND WORKSHOPS
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Learn how to build a sketch comedy show from the ground up. Discover the different types of sketches that make up a successful sketch revue and how to use them to build a hit show! From idea generation to story structure to running order, this course is great for both new writers looking for a starting point and established writers hoping to hone their skills.
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This course is an introduction to writing comedy. It consists of writing exercises, group feedback, and individualized coaching. The course will cover finding premise and POV, topical joke writing, and intro to satire. This is a 4-week course. -
The course covers a wide range of techniques and styles to help you discover your own comedy voice along with exercises to boost confidence, creativity and imagination. You will learn the basics of joke writing, presentation and you will leave these four weeks with the beginning of a stand-up routine. -
Class dates: April 5, 12, 19 and May 3 (No class on Kingsday!)Do you have a bunch of comic ideas but not sure how to use them? Maybe they don’t quite work as stand-up bits and you want to look for different ways to express them. Or are you just looking for an opportunity to create a whole bunch of absurd characters to try out on stage? In this four week course with Boom Chicago’s Simon Lukacs, you will learn how to develop fun and weird characters to perform on stage.
The course will cover a range of exercises, including using music and costumes as inspiration, using everyday observation to create a character, playing objects and animals, playing celebrities with exaggerated attributes, creating characters through improv and hot seating, working out what the “deal” of your character is and performing outside of you comfort zone in a playground of absurdity. And all the while you’ll be writing and creating new characters.
Simon Lukacs has taken two character shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – Kayfabe (with Lola-Rose Maxwell) and Simon Lukacs Shows His Range. He has also performed his solo show Simon Lukacs is Trying His Best at Boom Chicago and can be found performing character comedy at Boom Chicago, Mezrab and beyond. His latest character work-in-progress show with Phoebe Perry – Character Assassination – is at Boom Chicago on March 30th.
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Over 4 engaging weeks, harness the power of improv and comedy to level up your presentations. Learn to captivate your audience, ease nerves, and deliver with confidence—all while having fun. Perfect for anyone ready to shine on stage or in the boardroom! -
Unlock the secrets to sharper, more dynamic improvised scenes in this focused workshop. Learn to diagnose what’s working (and what’s not) in your scenes and elevate every moment with precision, purpose, and fun! Perfect for performers ready to take their improv to the next level.
COMMUNITY NIGHT SHOWS
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Come join us at Boom Chicago for a watch party for the famous Eurovision Song Contest, with your comedy host Stacey Smith!
Will there be drinking games, prizes, and improvised Eurovision sing-a-longs? Absolutely! Will there be interactive voting throughout the evening? Hell yeah. Will Claude win 12 points? You better believe it!
7:30-8:30 – Eurovision Quiz
8:30-8:45 – Intermission
8:45-9:00 – Introduction of Drinking Game
9:00-midnight – Eurovision Watch Party with Stacey commentary -
Boom Chicago Academy students and instructors join forces! On the first Sunday of every month, we’ll feature students of our academy. They will be joined on stage by the instructors of the Boom Academy to create a unique improv comedy Jam once a month.
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Drink and learn things at PowerPints, the original comedy show where presenters have five minutes each to deliver a PowerPoint on any subject they like. Past subjects have included a beginner’s guide to hypnotism, the Boston Molasses Flood, the 2002 Olympic ice-skating scandal, and the dietary requirements of Sonic the Hedgehog. What will this month’s subjects include? Show up to find out! -
Celebrate fresh talent at Thuis Party! This show highlights Boom Academy graduates as they hit the stage with brand-new acts and unstoppable energy. Come support the next generation of comedy stars! -
It Takes Two brings double the laughs with a showcase of dynamic comedy duos! Join us the first Friday of the month at 7PM to see pairs take the stage, blending chemistry and comedy for a night of unforgettable two-person acts. -
Tell Amsterdam invites you to dive into a night of real stories told live, each month with a fresh theme.
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Boom @ Night is your monthly ticket to an unpredictable comedy experience! Featuring a fresh lineup of sketch comedy, stand-up, character acts, improv, music, and more, each show brings together new performers and writers to create an all-new comedy night. Don’t miss the fun! -
Come watch our Boom Chicago Academy students shine in their end-of-session showcase! Each show runs about 90 minutes, packed with laughter, talent, and surprises. Don’t miss it!
May 3
Level 4SF with Rob: An Jiminez, Eric Taylor, Erica Lantzsch, Jan Janiszewski, Shikhar Nigam, Koen van Hensbergen, Prashant Khanchandani, Sarah Kelly, David Mischke, Emmanuel Uloko Jr, Jesus Herrera, Lorenzo Frangella, Margit Forma, Manuel Lombardero BoteyLevel 6LF with Mimi: Jack Gupta, Jamie Kirk, Viket Benzesin, Caraline Golson, Nia Jones, Georgii Ozhegov, Maggie Yao, Ryan Bennett, Darya Hushtyn, Thomas van Beersum
Level 4SF with Jake: Joël Beuerle, Maria Inês Messias, Marialisa van de Poll, Silvio Guzzo, Nina Anne Siegal, Apolline Assaud, Ilya Admiral, Roel Blommers, Gaby Darmasaputra
May 11
Level 4LF with Laura: Aria Bennett, Brian Pierce, Manideep Mamindlapally, Sarah Kelly, Brian Fitzgerald, Abdullah Alqatarneh, Robert Wegge, Joss Gillespie, Kenneth Sullivan, Yorick van Boheemen, Erin Donohue, Shikhar Nigam, Marisela Berkelmans, Viktor PanasiukLevel 5LF with Katie: Francieli Viane, Jennifer Speakman, Kris Franks, Nic Lakey, Stephanie Quesnel, Jos Dirkx, Betul Simsek, Debbie Carr, Isaque Seneda, Adrian Pradzioch
SUMMER INTENSIVES
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Dive deep into the art of long-form improv with this dynamic 5-day intensive! Designed for improvisers ready to elevate their craft, this workshop focuses on advanced scenework, sharp editing techniques, discovering and playing the game, and mastering popular long-form formats.
Guided by experienced instructors, you’ll learn how to create compelling scenes, seamlessly transition between moments, and build engaging narratives that captivate an audience. The intensive concludes with a live showcase, giving you the chance to perform your new skills in front of an audience.
Push your boundaries, refine your craft, and unleash your full improv potential. Space is limited—reserve your spot today!
Week 1: Long-Form Intensive (August 3-8)
- August 3: Check-in & Mixer
- August 4-6: Community Nights & Jams
- August 4-8: Intensive Sessions (11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with a 1-hour lunch break)
- August 9: Rehearsal (2:30 PM – 5:00 PM) and Showcase Performance (6:00 PM)
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Step into the spotlight and explore the world of musical long-form improv in this immersive 5-day intensive! Perfect for performers looking to expand their skills, this workshop focuses on chorus building, dynamic choreography, crafting compelling stage pictures, and singing in style and character.
Led by expert instructors, you’ll learn how to harmonize storytelling with movement, bring songs to life with authentic emotion, and master popular musical improv formats. The intensive wraps up with a vibrant live showcase where you’ll debut your newfound talents.
Find your voice, move with purpose, and create unforgettable musical moments. Spots are limited—secure yours today!
Week 2: Musical Improv Intensive (August 10-15)
- August 10: Check-in & Mixer
- August 4-6: Community Nights & Jams
- August 11-15: Intensive Sessions (11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with a 1-hour lunch break)
- August 16: Rehearsal (2:30 PM – 5:00 PM) and Showcase Performance (6:00 PM)
- August 16-17: Electives & Additional Workshops
