MASTERCLASS
3-Day Improv Masterclass in Mannheim
with Susan Messing & John Lehr (USA)
Three days of intensive training at Improtheater Mannheim — with two major names from the international improv scene: Susan Messing (incl. iO, Second City MainStage, Annoyance Theatre) and John Lehr (creator/star of Quickdraw / 10 Items or Less, improv performer & director).
This masterclass is for anyone who wants to noticeably expand their improv: bolder, more physical, clearer — and above all with more joy and connection on stage.
What to expect
Susan and John bring a packed toolbox of their most popular workshops — practical, immediately usable, and with a maximum amount of stage time. Possible topics include:
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Out of your head, into the scene
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Body, movement & stage picture
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Objects, space & strong “wheres”
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Monologues as a goldmine for scenes & forms (incl. Endless Monologues, That Reminds Me)
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Story structures that create freedom
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Real ensemble connection instead of “got your back” talk
Whether you have lots of experience or feel like you’ve “studied too much and played too little” — this gets concrete fast: fewer rules, more clarity, more comedy, more you.
Structure & Schedule
Monday (Day 1)
10:00 am – 5:00 pm (incl. 1-hour break)
8:00 pm: Student Show — your show, which will receive feedback
Tuesday (Day 2)
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Evening: no show program
Wednesday (Day 3)
10:00 am – 2:00 pm (half day)
7:00 pm: Panel Talk & Q&A with Susan & John
(for Improtheater Mannheim students & masterclass participants)
Invest
€349 incl. tax
(3-day masterclass + show/talk program as described above)
About the coaches
Susan Messing has been improvising and teaching internationally for decades. She has performed at iO and the Second City MainStage, and is a founding member of the Annoyance Theatre. She’s known for her physical approach, radical joy in play, honest monologue work, and clear tools for connection and comedy.
John Lehr is an actor, writer, and creator (incl. Hulu, TBS, Sony/Crackle) as well as an experienced improv performer and director. His work combines story craft with playful freedom, strong environments, and inspiration “in the moment.”
More About the Coaches:
SUSAN MESSING
Susan Messing Bio
Susan Messing, a New Jersey native and graduate of Northwestern University’s Theatre School, has been an improviser and comedian for over 39 years. She is an alumna of the iO Theatre, Chicago’s Second City MainStage, and a founding member of Chicago’s infamous Annoyance Theatre.
Susan has created and taught her curriculum at iO/iO West, The Annoyance, The Second City, and around the globe. She has been an adjunct instructor for Loyola University, DePaul University’s Theatre School, The School at Steppenwolf, and currently teaches for The University of Chicago.
Her stand-up act with her puppet, Jolly, was featured at the HBO/US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, and on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and NBC’s Late Fridays. Her most impressive bit movie role was as a bad stripper in a halo brace in “Let’s Go to Prison!”
She performed open runs at the iO with Blaine Swen in “Blessing,” and with Norm Holly in “Molly.” At The Annoyance, she appeared in her critically acclaimed show “Messing With a Friend,” and she performed with The Boys at The Second City.
Other credits include all five years of Just For Laughs in their Chicago residency and presenting “Braving The Unknown,” a TedXTalk (2014) at the University of Chicago. She often plays with her ride or die, Rachael Mason.
She is currently touring with the brilliant John Lehr around the country and around the world, and continues to teach and perform where she is asked, because otherwise it is rude and presumptuous.
JOHN LEHR
John Lehr Bio
John Lehr is the star/creator/writer of “10 Items or Less” (TBS), “JailBait” (Sony/Crackle) and “Quickdraw” (Hulu). He has created and produced pilots for Fox (“Team McPhearson”), TBS (“John Lehr’s Movie Club”) and Comedy Central (“Let it Ride”). His script and development deals include “Retreat” (NBC), “The Loop” (HBO), “Troubadour” (MTV), “Life on Mars” (Sony/BBC), “King of Beers” (EUE/Sokolow) and “Tommy Chong’s Pipe Dreams” (TBS).
Lehr is one of the original Geico Cavemen from the wildly successful commercial campaign. He appeared in dozens of spots, including the first commercial as a caveman boom operator, the caveman in therapy with Talia Shire, the tennis spot with Billy Jean King, and Super Bowl spots with Phil Simms, among many others.
John has appeared in numerous television series, including “Friends,” and was a series regular on “Jesse,” both for Warner Brothers/NBC. His feature film roles include “The Sweetest Thing,” and three Noah Baumbach films: “Kicking and Screaming,” “Mr. Jealousy,” and “Highball.”
His hosting credits include “News Weasels” for E!, “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” for ABC, CBS’ special “Clash of the Commercials” with co-host Heidi Klum, and “John Lehr’s Movie Club” for TBS.
Lehr’s critically acclaimed “Comedic Lectures” solo performances have had sold-out runs in Los Angeles and New York. He is also a respected improvisational performer, having worked at the Organic Theater and Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, the Montreal Comedy Festival, the Chicago Improvisational Festival, and multiple venues in Los Angeles and New York. Lehr regularly performs stand-up comedy and MC/host events around the country.
