12 Week 501 Starting in August

by Ben Whitehouse.

I just finished up my second 501 at the Upright Citizens Brigade with Anthony King and by the end of 8 weeks it was clear, we wanted more classes together. We had all started to “get” each others playing styles and were also starting to see what Anthony was talking about in scenes. After our final performance we all wanted more.

This was also true of my first 501 a year ago with Chris Gethard for another reason. Chris had really let us devise our own path with our improvisation and was pushing us to own our philosophies. By the end of 8 weeks we had just scratched the surface of what was possible. After our final performance we all wanted more.

So when news that UCB had decided to start offering classes for August with a 12 week class schedule, I have to admit, I was excited. I think the major reason I was excited was because I have a problem in letting my inhabitions go around performers I don’t know. It takes me at least 4 weeks to feel comfortable enough to let loose in class and by week 8 I am finally feeling totally comfortable (this is one of those ongoing things I battle with in my improvisation).

I’m also a firm believer, due in large part to the teachings of Chris Gethard, that group mind in one of the pillars of longform improvisation. It’s that magic glue that binds performers on stage to one another and let’s them seemingly read each other’s minds. If you are really working on forming group mind, it may be possible by 8 weeks, but again it’s another reason why 12 weeks appeals to me. That’s good group mind territory.

Unfortunately all this extra class time doesn’t come without a price. A 12 week 501 class is now $475 up from an 8 week class of $350. If you do the math, UCB has not raised the price per class, about $40, but for students looking at their scant checking accounts it may be a deterrent. However, I think it’s a move in right direction and as always, UCB still offers other 8 week classes at lower levels.

UCB also let us know that they have no plans at the moment to discontinue 8 week 501’s. So everybody gets the best of both worlds.

So, is 12 weeks the right time, or was 8 great? Speak up.

5 Responses to 12 Week 501 Starting in August

  1. Brett says:

    I agree with everything you said about wanting more by week 8 and definitely being able to get more out of a 12 week class. Of all the classes I’ve taken past 401 (my two 501s and 600) I’ve come to really appreciate and love the styles of most everyone in there and dreaded saying goodbye. So more time is great!

    But.

    I am so insanely poor right now that I can’t justify dropping close to $500 for a 12 week class in a go. At least right now. Perhaps this will teach me a lesson in money management. I don’t think it’s fair to penalize students by not still offering a couple 8-week sessions at the regular price. I can’t afford 501s right now, so I’m kinda bummed about being bumped back to 401.

    This is a bold new era we’re entering.

  2. Ben Whitehouse says:

    Yeah, that seems to be the sentiment across the community. Everyone being excited at more class time, then realizing it will cost more. That being said, I’m sure it will take a little transition time getting used to the idea of a $500 501. The price really is the same.

    I myself am interested to see how it effects people taking classes. I’m thinking it will bring in a more focused group of improvisers, because if you’re not serious, you are out $500. and 12 weeks is a long time.

  3. Benjamin R says:

    If you’re signing up for classes you probably have a PayPal account, so I recommend keeping a balance there as a way to save up for classes. If you move a fixed amount from your checking account into your PayPal account every time you got paid, you would have an easy way to sign up for classes.

    Plus, you can opt-in to PayPal’s Money Market and earn some interest on that money.

    I will make bar graphs and do a seminar on this if people want me to.