Take improv classes at the Brewery from a teacher with over a decade of experience! More info below.

"Hands down the best improv & creative coach I've ever had. He unlocks something real and honest and allowed me to achieve better skills not just in my performance work but also in my day to day activities. His lessons go beyond the class and truly help you become a better person. 10/10 would recommend." -Kaitlin W.

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"Al Garcia is one of the best improv coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. He is thoughtful and creative in his approach to coaching improv and always creates a safe and joyful space for people to try things out, take risks, and have fun. He focuses both on group work as well as individual, helping every member on his team to strengthen their skills. I’ve never enjoyed an improv team more than the one he coached, and I know many people who say the same."

-Sarah S.

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"Encouraging and compassionate, while encouraging you to innovate! I became a better improviser but also a more self-aware person as a result of his coaching. Also, very pleasing facial hair." -Luke B.

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"Al was one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. He shares his thoughts openly and without holding back, while still remaining kind. He really gets you out of your head and into your body, allowing your team to do fun and new things together." -Natasha M.

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"Al is a gift to humanity. Not only is he deeply thoughtful, and crazy emotionally intelligent, but he cares. Don't sleep on the fact that he likes teaching too! I can't recommend Al enough!" -Beejal L.

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“Al is the real deal—thoughtful, knowledgeable and compassionate! I highly recommend him.” -Joshua P.

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"Hands down the best improv & creative coach I've ever had. He unlocks something real and honest and allowed me to achieve better skills not just in my performance work but also in my day to day activities. His lessons go beyond the class and truly help you become a better person. 10/10 would recommend." -Kaitlin W.

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"After over a decade of performing improv and over a dozen coaches and teachers through the years, Al Garcia remains my favorite. Not only does his personality shine through what he does, he simply is the best coach I've had on my journey so far. I do not know what to expect at my team practices - Al excels in spontaneity and in keeping the spirit of play alive. However, I do know I can trust he has a well thought out plan that specifically targets rotating skill sets. It's kept me sharp as an improviser, it's helped me from stalling out as a performer, and he has led the most change and growth I've felt since I started many years ago." -Eric D.

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"Among all improv coaches, Al is my favorite. His commitment and dedication to his students is above and beyond. He gives an incredible amount of energy and heart to his students and classes. One of my favorite things about Al is his willingness to share vulnerable aspects of his life. It is rare that a person can be so genuine and absolutely hilarious at the same time. I highly recommend Al's classes if you get the chance!" -Elizabeth P.

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"Al is the most encouraging and thoughtful improv teacher I’ve ever had! He puts a lot of thought and care into his notes and teachings. He reminds us all not to worry about judgment especially in art form that can seem so terrifying to enter into for that exact reason. I highly recommend a coaching session or course with him!" -Olivia H.

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"I attended Al’s stress management workshop because I was curious. I was delighted to discover the presentation was fun, lively and informative. He thoughtfully provided a wide range of physical, mental and nutritional tools to address stress, and they were easy to implement. I found Al to be knowledgeable, caring, responsive and supportive." -Tara N.

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"Al brought a group of people together to create art. I was impressed by his breadth of knowledge about improvisational theatre and his ability to let us “play” and discover. I had a wonderful time in his classes!" -Melody F.

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"Al is a great coach! He has a super quirky sense of humor and can really bring a positive energy to rehearsals." -Ted E.

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"The thing about Al is that he is so good at making anyone feel comfortable in their own skin. Which is key for being able to really shine at improv. He’s an amazingly supportive, creative, funny, inspiring coach. Anyone would be lucky to spend time learning from him." -Ali S.

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"Al is the most welcoming and casually enthusiastic teacher, which was the perfect vibe to learn from in Improv 101 at WCT training center. He made the class so fun, and helped every individual shine in their own unique way. I had the good fortune of getting to learn from Al again in level 401 and it was his willingness to let us "break the rules" and have fun doing improv that made me want to continue. He demonstrates in his teaching and performance style, supportive listening followed by bold confident moves, which seem to be the keys to making any scene remain understandable and entertaining!" -Kristen C.

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"Working with Al is always lots of fun. He is really good at supporting you in exploration, allowing you to discover moments and not force them. I always felt heard, I always felt seen, and through this felt my confidence grow."

-Katrina L.

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“Al is an excellent improv coach and kind soul. He’s very knowledgeable about the craft and always goes the extra mile as a teacher to help his students.” -Jordy T.

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“Al Garcia was the first improv instructor I ever had. First and foremost he’s a great person, but he’s also a kind and patient teacher and his enthusiasm for improvisation is inspiring. He sparked an interest and pursuit of further learning that I’m still grateful for years after that first class.” -Alex S.

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"I have been lucky enough to have had Al as an improv coach for 3 years and each session with Al is still different. He comes with fresh exercises tailored to our needs because he really cares about helping our ensemble and each individual be the best improviser they can be. Al is a supportive teacher that gives specific notes and encourages his students to push themselves and get weird. It’s awesome and I always leave practice feeling good. He’s also a super chill and fun human being.“ -Maya C.

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"I've had a lot of classes, workshops and rehearsals, and Al brings a very unique perspective to his teaching that offerd new pathways to grow as a student. I also feel as though he genuinely cares deeply about each student's learning and each class's lessons in a way that creates a safe place to put yourself out there and experiment which is so important when trying to master an art form like improv." -Jeff F.

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"Al is a fantastic coach who brings a unique perspective to the topics he covers. His coaching style emphasizes creativity and empathy, and I always leave a session feeling like I've discovered something." -Josh J.
 

"Al Garcia was my level one improv teacher at the Westside Comedy Theater and played a huge role in my continuing on with classes through level 6 there. He is calm, goofy, supportive and helps you build the confidence to get out there and make a fool of yourself (while feeling great about it.)" -Meryl G.

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"Al is an experienced improvisor and excellent teacher. He is patient and kind when working with students, and I've had a blast taking classes with him. Al has a way of making everyone feel comfortable and included. If you have the opportunity to take classes with Al, I highly recommend you do so!" -Jessica S.

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"Whether a new or seasoned performer you cannot go wrong taking the opportunity to learn from Al. As a novice I can truly say his ability to explain the art of improv helped me to develop greatly as a performer. Additionally his knowledge in dealing with anxiety and stress - performance or otherwise related - helps you to grow as a person and performer." -Mari Grace R.

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"When I started an improv group to learn the best improv ways, the group didn't think twice when we needed to get a coach. Al was an amazing teacher - easy going, innovative and caring. He led the group to a wonderful path of successful performances and needless ro say it was always lots of fun!" -Natasha C.

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"Al is one of the most thoughtful and engaged improv teachers I’ve had the pleasure of being taught by. Every class I’ve had with Al has included a fun yet challenging exercise I’d never done before. Al’s attentiveness shows in his insightful feedback." -Joey V.

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"Al is extremely kind hearted and open minded! His learning environments always made me feel welcomed and like I could really be myself to try anything and not be judged - I give a lot of credit to his coaching for getting me out my shell early on in my improv career! Al’s notes and discussions were intuitive and well thought out and his lesson plans felt very personalized and tailored specifically to benefit each person in the group. This professionalism mixed with his ability to celebrate both the silly and serious moments in life make him an effective and worthwhile coach!" -Lisa W.

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"We can all agree that learning is better when it's fun, that's what Al makes sure happens in his improv classes! Al is also very supportive and methodical when coaching so you'll have the confidence to try new things and build your improv muscles stronger and quicker. Sign up for his coaching now, you'll be glad you did!!" -Al N.

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"Al has a vast knowledge of all things related to stress. He focuses on a holistic approach, and understands that everyone is unique in their challenges and no two people respond the same way. His background in improvisation training blends perfectly with his passion for helping people, giving him a teaching style that is accessible, safe, and effective." -Patrick S.

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"Al has a gift for creating a very open and safe environment for students to learn the craft of improvisation.  He encourages people under his instruction to let go of their self judgement and recognize at the end of the day nobody is going to sleep thinking about something you may have done so you should not feel the urge to hold onto your mistakes but instead embrace the risks and rewards that come with letting go.  Anyone working will Al will leave his class as if a weight is lifted and ready to try new things with eyes wide open. As a student of Al, I was also very impressed by how he folds into his teaching all that he has learned in studying the brain and how it functions.  Al offers exercises that will get your trying things outside your comfort zone in a good way and provides the positive feedback that lets you trust in your choices. I cannot recommend him highly enough." -Michael E.

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"Al Garcia was my 101 teacher, warm and supportive without being overly so and a great introduction to improv. I later took one of his anxiety workshops which was incredibly informative as Al is well researched on many topics. He gave several tips on how to combat anxiety which I passed onto my zoomed out anxious kids and they have really helped. I appreciate Al's honesty and ability to provide a safe and fun environment for learning." -Kristin B.

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"I enjoyed Al's workshop on expunging stage nerves. It was a focused incision into stage anxiety, particularly inner mental dialogue and self-talk. This is not a scenework workshop, but a pointed and conscious step investigation into the mental fog of stage anxiety during scenes. I was expecting to do scenes, but was continually surprised with each exercise that showed me the distracting thoughts in my head and dealt with them in unique ways. While flipping a switch to remove anxiety is unrealistic, this workshop really helped me get aware and specific about it so it doesn't have to control my scenework. Al is a good teacher and my favorite aspects of his teaching are his always interesting and innovative exercises (especially isolating and training the different improv muscles) and how he works closely with his students' concerns by continuously inviting feedback and discussion on the ongoing experience." -Vivek T.

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"I really enjoyed your class because it helped me understand A to C thinking. We spent a lot of time exploring different games/transitions to help break us out of common Improv structures which helped me have more fun within Improv shows because I was comfortable exploring from class experiences. Your guidance ultimately helped me crossover from student to confident performer. With a huge emphasis on embracing our individual uniqueness/weirdness, your class showed us the endlessly possibilities available in Improv if we remain present, free, and nonjudgemental of our actions/impulses." -Mychael H.

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"I have been studying and performing improv for 7 years now. I’ve been on house teams, indie teams, played festivals — the whole gamut really — and I can easily say that Al Garcia is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. He is kind, patient, logical, analytical, and brings out the best in every improviser who comes his way. Al is one of those coaches who can also be direct if you need him to be. He can maintain a great deal of empathy while pushing you to do your best work. I’ve also taken some of his workshops, which focus on reducing anxiety and getting out of your head, and I found them to be extremely helpful. The saddest day in my improv career was when I no longer had Al as my coach. I hope to work with him again some day. He truly is the best." -Matt S.

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“Al was my first ever improv teacher, and I enjoyed his class and teaching style so much that improv became a central part of my life for the next two years, despite the fact I had only planned on taking the one course to help me get over my fear of public speaking. To this day, I do my best to channel Al’s trademark “DGAF” mindset whenever I feel like letting lose, whether that’s on the dance floor or meeting new people and socializing in unfamiliar settings. I cannot recommend Al highly enough! I feel incredibly lucky to have been introduced to the wonderful world of improv in his class, and my life has been all the better for it!” -Kim M.

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"I've taken numerous improv workshops with Al Garcia over the past eight years and thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from them all on a personal and improv level! What I love best about Al's teaching style is how he really gets to know each and every student well and thoughtfully tailors classes to the individual as well as the group as a whole -- from games and scenes to lessons and exercises. Classes build on each other from week to week seamlessly in a way that lets you discover your inner voice as an improviser, team member supporting your classmates and person engaging in life and the community. Everyone feels comfortable and gets to shine from inside out in Al's class as he deftly guides the group. Al is insightful, wisely guiding the class to make the improv games fun and helpful on the stage and in life. He's kind, listens well and has your back -- the man is improv in action!" -Nicole S.

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"Al Garcia was the amazing coach of my improv team, Consenting Adults, for over three years. His dedication to improv and coaching is nonpareil and I highly recommend him. Consenting Adults was  (and still are in another iteration) a regular house improv team at The Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica. During that time, C.A. was one of the most highly regarded teams performing at The Westside. This was in no small part due to Al’s coaching, as he was able to take 8 strangers and turn them into a cohesive unit. Al’s point of view is unique, which is what you want in an improv coach. He can give you a different way of looking at things; a way that you probably would never think of yourself. As a performer he helps free you from previous limitations and thought ruts and pushes you into new areas of creativity and thought. Another wonderful quality of Al is he is always willing to experiment and try new ways of getting you out of your brain and into your best improv self. At the same time, if something isn’t working, he doesn’t settle and will try something else. He has a big bag of tricks and years of performance history to draw from. Like a good Zen master, Al quietly and unassumingly observes, gives you new techniques and ideas, and takes you on a journey to becoming a better improvisor. Give into the journey and you will surely come out a better on the other side." -Marc L

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