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In-Person Musical Improv Level One

In-Person Musical Improv Level One with Frank Spitznagel and Nikita Burdein

Full...

Check below to see the full schedule for each session, see if your class skips a week for a holiday, and check out the date and time of your class show(s).

Class Description

Learn how to put your thoughts and emotions into song and take your improv scenes to the next level! In this 8-week course you will learn the song structures you need to make up musicals on the spot. No need to be an experienced singer! Through exercises in group dynamic, support, and movement, you will learn how to turn every song you improvise into a full-blown musical number. 8 weeks of classes followed by a class performance.
All students will be asked to show proof of vaccination prior to the first session in order to participate in this class
NOTE: At the request of one of the instructors who has undergone several recent medical procedures, masks will be required for students when not on stage.

Instructor: Frank Spitznagel

Frank Spitznagel is the Musical Director at Magnet Theater and a piano accompanist who frequently plays for such improv groups as I Eat Pandas, Veal, The Made-Up Musical, Gusto, and many others. He is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music, where he studied piano performance. His work can be heard on several studio recordings. Frank has composed for Comedy Central and the Aspen Comedy Festival. He accompanied Itzhak Perlman in an original jazz composition by Benny Golson at Lincoln Center. He also played the American premiere of The Hired Man Off-Broadway. He has been musical director for productions such as Nunsense (all incarnations), A Chorus Line, Chicago City Limits, and several original musicals.

Instructor: Nikita Burdein

Born in Ukraine, raised in Chicago, and now in NYC, Nikita is an improviser, video producer, theater maker, and other multi-hyphenate (son, brother, friend, etc.)

He trained at the Magnet Theater and Upright Citizens Brigade Theater before becoming a house performer at both theaters and a teacher at the Magnet of Musical Improv. He can be seen Fridays at the Magnet Theater's Premiere: the Improvised Musical (the longest running weekly Musical Improv show in NYC!) Nikita can also be seen at the UCB Theater on Harold Night with this team, The Prophecy. He also performs regularly with Baby Wants Candy, Shamilton, and with Shitzprobe, with monthly shows all around NYC.

Full Session Schedule

Session Schedule*

  1. Oct 17, 2021, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
    at TBA
    (at a studio space TBA in the vicinity of Chelsea, Manhattan)
  2. Oct 24, 2021, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
    at TBA
    (at a studio space TBA in the vicinity of Chelsea, Manhattan)
  3. Oct 31, 2021, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
    at TBA
    (at a studio space TBA in the vicinity of Chelsea, Manhattan)
  4. Nov 7, 2021, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
    at TBA
    (at a studio space TBA in the vicinity of Chelsea, Manhattan)
  5. Nov 14, 2021, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
    at TBA
    (at a studio space TBA in the vicinity of Chelsea, Manhattan)
  6. Nov 21, 2021, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
    at TBA
    (at a studio space TBA in the vicinity of Chelsea, Manhattan)
  7. Dec 5, 2021, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
    at TBA
    (at a studio space TBA in the vicinity of Chelsea, Manhattan)
  8. Dec 12, 2021, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
    at TBA
    (at a studio space TBA in the vicinity of Chelsea, Manhattan)

Show Schedule*

  1. Dec 12, 2021, 4:30 PM
    at Magnet Theater
    (254 W. 29th Street)
    2. *scheduling subject to change