Pir

The workshop Matt is referring to is actually the Annoyance theater, normally stationed in Chicago. Here's a link to what he's talking about exactly. http://www.annoyanceproductions.com/nyc/ Also I laughed a little at Matt getting angry about the semantics of their class ad (I can't think of a better thing to call it?). On no one teaching "rules of improvisation" however is sadly incorrect however. If you live someplace that isn't New York, LA, or Chicago, most "teachers" are just going to spout off the bullet points at the end of each chapter of Truth In Comedy at you for guidance. I've never taken a professional improv class at any of the big theatres, so I can't say anything about them. Annoyance has said they don't teach "the rules" for a long time, I don't think it was a dig at UCB, it's just how they've always positioned themselves. However, "Annoyance Style" as Mick Napier describes in his own book does actually advocate taking care of yourself and defining your character first, and then worrying about the scene at large. Which is the kind of selfish play Matt talked about disliking earlier.