Who we are…

Laura, Steph, and Chris met in Minneapolis while teaching improv at HUGE Theater in 2024. All with a collective vision for building a stronger community and sharing their love of improv with the cities, they decided to come together and develop curriculum to teach long-form improvisation in Minneapolis. After a successful year they met Bradley, who shared this vision, and became a part of the VGI team.

We believe improv is for everyone, and build an inclusive space where we celebrate LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and all members of our community. While making our classes accessible and safe, we also want to push our students to learn the tools and skills to do Very Good Improv.

  • Headshot of Laura Berger, with long dark hair and green tips, wearing a striped shirt, smiling against a gray backdrop.

    Laura Berger

    CO-FOUNDER / INSTRUCTOR

    Laura Berger has been improvising since 2012. As a life long lover of comedy and theater, Laura has always dreamed of making spaces for art and creativity. Laura has performed in a multitude of shows and at many venues in the Twin Cities. Some of these shows include Foul Play, Manners & Misconduct, The Life Robotic, and Creature Feature. Laura is also a founding member of Babe Train, part of ComedySportz, and is a co-director of Star Trek: the Next Improvisation.

    Laura believes improv is all about discovery! The possibilities are limitless.

  • Headshot of Steph Callaghan, a woman with long, dark, wavy hair, in a black shirt, with her hands under her chin and smiling.

    Steph Callaghan

    CO-FOUNDER / INSTRUCTOR

    Steph Callaghan has over a decade of experience improvising. Originally based in Chicago, she completed training at iO, The Second City, CiC, and The Den. She performed and produced improv, stand-up, and sketch shows with house and independent teams on these stages, as well as at The Annoyance and LSI. After the pandemic, Steph moved back to Minneapolis where she continues to perform, produce, and teach improv across the Twin Cities. She is the creator of Improv Zodiac!, a monthly show at Bryant Lake Bowl, and a member of an alleged Theatre Company.

    Steph believes everyone can and SHOULD learn long-form improvisation. Follow the fun, and find your magic!

  • Headshot of Chris Rodriguez, smiling with a beard and dark hair against dark background

    Chris Rodriguez

    CO-FOUNDER / INSTRUCTOR

    Chris Rodriguez has been an improviser for 8 years, starting his journey when he moved to the Twin Cities. He specializes in genre narrative shows and has performed at improv festivals nationwide and on renowned Twin Cities stages, including HUGE Theater, Strike Theater, and Bryant Lake Bowl. For the past 6 years, Chris has also been an improv teacher, sharing his love for the art form. Currently, he is a member of ComedySportz and The Theater of Public Policy.

    Chris believes improv is magic and everyone should try it!

  • Bradley Machov

    CO-FOUNDER

    Bradley Machov took his first improv class in 2003. Since 2012, he has been performing, directing, and teaching improv throughout the Twin Cities with companies and shows such as the Brave New Workshop, ComedySportz, and Star Trek: The Next Improvisation. His improv journey has taken him through noteworthy stops like classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade and performing in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He is also proud to serve on the board of MNProv, a non-profit dedicated to bringing improv to neurodivergent individuals.

    Bradley believes improv truly holds the key to living a fulfilling, compassionate life, but if nothing else is just a lot of silly fun.

 FAQs

  • Very Good Improv is a Twin Cities-based arts and comedy company offering long-form improv classes in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Our classes are a fun, supportive way to build confidence, meet new people, and explore improv comedy. There is no experience needed!

  • Our classes are for adults of all experience levels and are inclusive to everyone of all backgrounds! Whether you’re brand new to improv or have performance experience, we create a welcoming environment where you can grow skills like public speaking, presentation, and creative collaboration. 

    Actors benefit from taking improv classes, and other artists and performers. We also have a lot of gamers and people who play Dungeons & Dragons taking our classes who say it’s helped them grow their storytelling abilities. Anyone who wants to find joy, laugh, have fun, and build community are welcome.

  • Currently we teach improv classes in Minneapolis out of the Phoenix Theater in Uptown. Details for each session are listed on the class registration page, and we aim to make every class fun, inclusive, and community-driven.

  • Our long-form improv classes are 8 weeks. Our beginner 101 class is 2 hours, and our 201-401 classes are 3 hours. Every class has time for a break in the middle. We also offer workshops and intensives with varying times, which are great for beginners, advanced improvisers, or actors looking to refresh and build their improv skills.

  • You’ll learn the foundations of long-form improv comedy. Listening, support, timing, and trust. Along the way, you’ll build confidence, improve your communication, and probably laugh a lot and find joy. Many students also say our classes help with anxiety, social confidence, and meeting new friends!

  • Absolutely! Many of our students sign up solo and leave with new friends. If you're looking for a way to meet new people in Minneapolis or find community, improv is a fantastic way to connect through shared creativity and play.

  • Yes, and find joy in it! Our improv classes are a great way to improve public speaking, storytelling, and presentation skills. You’ll learn to think on your feet, stay present, and speak with confidence in your day-to-day life, and even in unexpected situations.

  • We totally understand that sometimes our schedules fill up… always check your calendar before signing up for a class! Please refer to our Policy page for our official Refund Policy.

  • Short answer: No.
    Long answer: At VGI, we offer a cumulative curriculum. This means that each level builds on top of another. Also, we cultivate a social environment where you are creating bonds with your classmates, building trust, and feeling like a team.
    If you have experience at other improv theaters, we encourage you to still sign up for our 101. We believe you are never done learning how to do Very Good Improv, by taking classes, getting reps, and learning from different instructors. If you have any questions, please reach out to the leadership team on our contact page.

More Questions? Contact us!

Check out some photos from our open jam!

  • Photo of improvisers of all levels finding joy at our open jam, which is an inclusive community where you meet new people and improvise with others!
  • Photo of improvisers of all levels creating a stage picture of a character with creatures crawling over him, like something you'd see in DND!
  • Photo of improvisers of all levels playing characters on stage, two are sitting in a chair pointing at each other and one is playing a dancing bear!
  • Photo of improvisers of all levels at our open jam, having fun as characters in scenes.
  • Photo of one of the groups at our open improv jam, smiling after a successful set!
  • Photos of improvisers of all levels creating interested physicality on stage to showcase character.
  • Photo of improvisers of all levels playing and laughing and finding joy on stage.
  • Photo of improvisers of all levels, beginner and advanced players, smiling after a successful improv set!
  • Photo of improvisers of all levels playing, one is playing Cher, pointing at Cher's Fringe Jacket, which is masterfully played by our improvisers.
  • Photos of improvisers of all levels smiling and working together to create an interesting stage picture and story.

Let the Fun Begin!

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