Fall In at the Countdown Improv Festival!
Intro to Improv Comedy for Military and Veterans
Workshops with BJ Lange
Powered by TECO
Level One: Strong Foundations
Workshops, improv comedy jams, and free shows! Limited Enrollment. RSVP ASAP!
TECO & Tampa’s Countdown Improv Festival have teamed up to bring the joy of improv comedy to the military and veteran communities of Tampa Bay! We’re calling all military and vets who’d like to learn improv comedy, connect with fellow servicemembers and vets via the comedic arts, and laugh while growing their personal and professional skills! Grab a battle buddy and join us for a set of engaging workshops (come to one or both), where you’ll learn, grow, and play. Plus, you’ll get free access to watch some of the best improv comedians from around the country for the entire weekend!
Military and veterans are also invited to play (only if you want) in open improv comedy jams and watch all the shows at all five nights of this nationally acclaimed festival: all FREE for military and vets!
Need a laugh? Want to work on your ‘funny’? Improv is not just for actors and comedians. We’ll prove it to you. Just look at the list of successful Saturday Night Live alums and it’s clear improv comedy has been the starting point for many of today’s best-known performers, but let us say again, improv is for everyone! Whether you’re an actor setting your sights on joining an improv or sketch ensemble, a performer wanting to polish your skills for commercial auditions, OR you just want to open a door to greater creativity as a human being, then this workshop is for YOU!
Air Force veteran and The Second City Instructor BJ Lange brings 20 years of improv and teaching experience to lead the group in a safe and supportive setting, allowing servicemembers and veterans to grow while building relationships and strengthening self-confidence while having fun with improvisational theater!
We’ve got two free afternoon workshops! Come to one, or come to both! Following the Sunday afternoon workshop, we’ll have food before we host an open improv comedy jam! Apply now to be a part of the fun!
Enrollment is limited, so apply soon!
What you’ll get from these workshops:
- A strong introduction to the ‘kitchen sink’ application of improv comedy
- Get practice in “thinking on your feet” as a public speaker
- Learn the “rules” of improv comedy – What makes it work… or not work
- Find new inspiration for writing and playing better characters/stories
- Strengthen your confidence by getting comfortable with the uncomfortable
- Lots of laughs and fun!
The Details
Workshop Dates: THU 07AUG and/or SUN 10AUG
Location: The Commodore, 811 East 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602
Sign Up Period: RSVP before MON 04AUG 2025
Duration: Two 3-Hour Workshops PACKED with fun! (Plus the jam and shows if you wish!)
Limited class size to facilitate learning and reps.
Cost: FREE For Military & Veterans
Sign Up: VIA this Google Form, then await confirmation!
UOD: Comfortable civilian attire comfortable to move in. Closed toed shoes.
POC: Kelly Buttermore (Executive Producer, Countdown Improv Festival), countdownimprovfestival@gmail.com
Enrollment is limited, so apply soon!
About the instructor:
BJ Lange is an alumnus of iO West, the Upright Citizens Brigade, and a graduate of The Second City’s Conservatory, Long Form, and Musical Improv programs. He has also studied with The Groundlings.
BJ has been seen on General Hospital, The Prank Panel, MTV, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Comedy Central. He is an instructor at The Improv Trick, 3-2-1 Acting Studios, The Second City, and is a teaching artist at The Geffen Playhouse now in his fourth year co-directing Beyond The Barracks. BJ previously served on the artist’s council for the Armed Services Arts Partnership, is the past applied improv comedy resiliency instructor for the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program (AFW2, and is a member of Warriors For Peace Theatre – a veteran Shakespeare company. Learn more and follow BJ chasing his dreams at www.bjlange.com
This workshop is powered by TECO
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