New Student "Try it" Package
Longform Improv Foundation Series $180
Tuesdays 4 weeks Start any Tuesday in June, Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Location: Open Space Event Studios – 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Studio 1
(you can also start at a later date)
FAQs About Our Institute
“How can I get started with longform improv comedy classes?”
Get started with longform improv comedy is easy. Just show up. We offer a 4-week Try It package at BIC designed specifically for people who are curious but not sure if improv is for them. And your first class is free — so there's really no reason not to try it. There’s a strong chance you will love it.
"What are the best improv comedy workshops for beginners in Bend?"
We’re a liiiiittle biased, but…the best improv comedy workshops for beginners in Bend is BIC. We've built something here in Central Oregon that we’re very proud of, and we’d put it up against anything in Oregon, and several theaters in Southern California. If you join our classes, you will feel the experts in the room.
"Can I learn longform improv techniques from professional comedians?"
At BIC, yes. Our founder, John Breen, has been performing, directing, writing, and producing comedy professionally for over 25 years — and that experience lives in every class we teach.
"What should I expect in my first longform improv comedy session?"
When you walk into your first improv class at BIC, you can expect to be warmly welcomed by our staff and students. Yes, you will experience nerves in a real way — which is totally normal. But you'll quickly discover that everyone in our community is here for the same reason: to learn, grow, and lift each other up along the way. We start by getting you out of your head and into the room through improv games designed to build presence and connection. Before you know it, you'll be fully engaged — laughing, playing, and discovering just how much you bring to the group.
"How do I find reputable improv comedy instructors for adult classes?"
Look for instructors with significant stage experience, formal training, and a proven teaching approach. BIC was founded by John Breen — a UCB, Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh, Keith Johnstone, Mick Napier-trained performer with over 30 years in comedy — and that pedigree is baked into every class. Reach out and we'll help you find your fit.
"What are the benefits of studying longform improv for actors?"
Longform improv is one of the best things an actor can do for themselves. It trains you to listen — really listen — instead of just waiting for your cue. You get sharper at finding your truth in a scene without overthinking it, and you stop being precious about your choices. You learn to commit fully, trust your instincts, and be genuinely affected by the people you're playing with. That's the stuff that makes performances feel alive.
"How does taking improv classes help with public speaking skills?"
Most people are terrified of public speaking because they're terrified of the unexpected — a question they didn't prep for, losing their place, a room that isn't responding the way they hoped. Improv trains you to be comfortable in exactly those moments. You stop gripping so hard to your fearful ego, and start actually engaging with the room in front of you. Your timing gets better, your presence gets stronger, and you stop sounding like you're reciting something. You start sounding like a person.
Why Take This Class?
At Bend Institute of Comedy, improv isn’t just about comedy—it’s about transformation. You’ll learn The BIC Way, which develops both the performer and the human being, blending expert long-form improv comedy training with deep personal expansion. You'll learn to...
✔ Trust yourself in the unknown – Build the confidence to think fast and adapt with ease.
✔ Connect on a deeper level – Develop presence and empathy for others, while cultivating authentic self-expression.
✔ Find freedom in play – Unleash your creativity without judgment or hesitation.
✔ Step beyond your comfort zone—discover growth, joy, and liberation in life's most powerful collaborative art form.
The BIC approach to Improv
At Bend Institute of Comedy, our training is built on over 30 years of expertise from founder John Breen. His approach integrates peak performance psychology, neuroscience, deliberate practice, Buddhist compassion principles, and the foundational methods of UCB Theatre, Del Close, Annoyance Theatre, and Keith Johnstone.
We start with real Presence—training performers to fully connect with their scene partners. From there, we build Clarity, sharpen execution with The Three S’s, and train improvisors to recognize the Rising Action Moment. The final step? Zeroing-in and amplifying the Hook or Game of the scene toward a maximum comedic climax, building a powerful and seamless long-form where every element converges to create surprising, unforgettable, high-impact Improv Sets.
Instructor: BIC founder John Breen is an accomplished writer, director, actor, and producer with a dynamic career spanning film, TV, and stage. He’s known for his work on Portlandia, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the critically acclaimed Wendy and Lucy with Michelle Williams, and the films of James Westby. He has performed at the UCB Theatre in LA and NYC and has written and performed numerous sketch comedy shows at various festivals. A seasoned filmmaker, Breen has created short films and commercials for clients like Nike and Anker batteries. As the founder of the Bend Institute of Comedy, he’s created one of the West Coast’s premier spaces for learning improvisation, writing, and acting.