Ben Hauck

In the United States, Canada, and England, I have directed improv shows and taught improvisers from The Second City, Upright Citizens Bridge Theatre, IO formerly ImprovOlympic, The Groundlings, Washington Improv Theater, The Bad Dog Theatre, and The Impatient Theatre Co. I am the director and designer of Infusion Improv, a global consulting firm’s custom-made long-form improv program designed to train software engineers to perform improv in front of live audiences. Infusion Improv has performed completely improvised shows in New York City, Toronto, and London.

From 2002-2006, I was the exclusive coach for the long-form improv group Devil’s Dancebelt. I trained in long-form improv at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in NYC from 2000-2001, and I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Otterbein College.

Click the headings below for information on my long-form improv classes.

Thank you! I want to say you are one of the most organized, professional directors I’ve worked with. You are clear and your criticism is always constructive and propels me to work harder. And most of all you have created a supportive, safe, and incredibly fun space to work in.

- Stephanie Keating

I remember during the first several rehearsals, there was an air of shyness and apprehension, but by the end, everyone had really come out of their shells–surprising and challenging me in ways that even some professional performers neglect!

I know that this level of comfort sprung from the enthusiastic and supportive environment Ben promoted in rehearsal. I learned some great improv skills and I appreciate that he breaks principles down into simple concepts that are easy to focus on one at a time.

- Andrea Lui

This is actually a really great chance just to hang out with the guys from the office [...], just to actually see them, since I don’t really see them during any other time. They’re all really great guys and girls. I got to know them better, and we had some fun. Just a really great experience all around.

- Daniel Levine

Part of trying to prove myself is to work on coming out of my shell and being more social with other people, and I find that this is really helping me build up my confidence to be able to do that, and just coming up with situations and things off the top of my head. I think it’s really helping me improve on my self-confidence and being in social situations and doing presentations in front of a group of people. It’s a lot of fun, but I think you’ll also get a lot of out of it, too.

- Andrew Hinton

It’s a great way to become more confident when you’re speaking to people. A lot of people before they do improv think that if they get up onstage and are in the middle of a scene, they’ll have no idea what to say. But usually you’ll know exactly what to say, and it’ll come along very naturally, and it’s surprising but it’s also very liberating. So, it’s a lot of fun.

- Cecily Carver

Ben was an enormously perceptive and intelligent coach. He identified exactly what we needed to take our scenes to the next level, and really maximized our time as a group. From finding the perfect game to fix our slower scenes, to clear and spot-on feedback for each beat, his style is efficient and inspiring. His teachings complemented the techniques we had learned, and they offered a definite upgrade in the overall quality of our scenes. Go Ben!

- Jessica Cohen

You are a great teacher. The students possessed what only a good teacher can instill…they supported each other and never lost their sense of fun.

- Lisa Robinson

Not only does Ben Hauck have amazing concepts for improvising, he communicates his methods extremely well. He helps his actors understand the choices they are making and what they can do to improve those choices.

- Sara Laudonia

Ben – fearless leader – your guidance and faith in us inspired us all along to do more than our best (and go the extra mile to make it each week).

- Peter Goth

I would definitely do it again. It’s a lot of fun. You feel really good after you do it. It’s very exciting.

- Andrea Richardson

Working with Ben Hauck’s theories has opened up a simpler way to explore improvisation and has led me to cleaner, leaner work, onstage and directing. The simple and direct methodologies espoused in The Humanation Of Chaos [Ben's forthcoming book on long-form improv] have allowed me to establish objective and useful critiques of a very subjective art form. “Only a certified medical professional can decide if Ben Hauck is right for you. If you think you or your students could benefit from better improv, talk to your doctor about Ben Hauck.”

- Joe Mathers

SHORT, POWERFUL IMPROV CLASSES

Ben Hauck’s Short, Powerful Improv Classes are compact crash-courses in long-form improv designed to give people dying to learn improv the time to finally learn it.

Short, Powerful Improv Classes are well suited to actors and entertainers looking to finally learn about improv and to develop improv skills for their careers. Beginners are also welcome additions to these classes, where everyone is treated as a respected equal.

Short, Powerful Improv Classes are offered in 5 weekly installments several times a year in NYC.

★ Visit Powerful Improv.com »

SAMPLE CLASSES

Several times a year in NYC and around the world, Ben Hauck leads fun and funny sample improv classes. Sample improv classes focus improvisers on key concepts of long-form improv and group improv. Sample classes allow participants to try improv and its ideas and to get acquainted with Ben Hauck’s exciting style of teaching.

Sample improv classes are often offered as the beginning of a powerful multi-week program in long-form improv. They are open to beginning improvisers as well as experienced improvisers interested in hearing fresh perspectives, working with new people, and reconnecting with core improv principles.

★ For the next sample improv class, visit Powerful Improv.com »

I also work with theater companies to unify casts in the lead-up to production.

I work primarily toward the goals of performing Harolds consistently well and producing reliable, stageworthy improvised performances.

My private improv group coaching rates are competitive and vary based on project. Request a quote via phone or email by explaining your project and your particular needs.

Contact me about long-form improv private coaching »

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