Learn the building blocks of improvising in a fun, supportive, and welcoming environment and gain great skills that help in life and work! Play Now, Pay Later with our built-in student payment plans!

Ready to laugh, learn, and level up your life? This eight-week, in-person improv class isn’t just about being funny on stage—it’s about unlocking skills that boost your confidence, creativity, communication, and collaboration in everyday life. Whether you want to break out of your shell, become a sharper listener, speak with ease in front of others, make new friendships, or simply want two hours of pure joy each week, this class is for you. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and we’ll bring the fun! And at the end? You’ll show off what you’ve learned in a celebratory performance for a supportive audience!

DAY/TIME: Saturdays | 9/6 - 10/25 | 12:00pm - 2:00pm
LOCATION: IF Theatre, 719 E St. Clair Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (map)
CLASS PERFORMANCE: Saturday, 11/1 @ 1pm
TUITION: $229 through 8/17. Save $50! Regular Price is $279
PAYMENT PLAN: Play now, Pay Later! Want to split your enrollment up into two or more payments? We can do that! At checkout check the "Pay With Payment Plan" Box. We offer two main options: 1) Pay 50% now and 50% the day before class begins and 2) Pay in four, equal payments over 6 weeks. Depending on when you enroll, option #2 may not be available at checkout. Email [email protected] to make a special request to use that plan. Please note payment plans include processing fees.

ARTICLES DISCUSSING THE MANY BENEFITS IMPROV CAN HAVE
Improv Training Can Help Ease Social Anxiety | University of Michigan Study
Improv Benefits in the Workplace | Philadelphia Inquirer
Improv for Educators | InsideHigherEd.com
7 Research Backed Benefits of Improv | PsychologyToday.com
The Mental Health Benefits Of Improv | Medium.com

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Mike Marbach (he/him) is originally from Philly and now resides in the Hoosier state. He is the founder Crossroads Comedy Theater and the Executive Director of Crossroads' operations in Indianapolis. Mike has been studying, performing, and teaching improv since 2005. He has taken classes with iO Chicago (the iO Theater), The Annoyance Theater, and the UCB Theater in NY as well as numerous workshops from improv instructors from across the country. Some of the people Mike has had the honor of studying with include Susan Messing, Mick Napier, Mark Sutton, Jill Bernard, Joe Bill, Charna Halpern, Scott Adsit, Mike O'Brien, Noah Gregoropoulos, Jet Eveleth, Jason Chin, and many more.

Mike served as Class Registrar and Education Director of Philly Improv Theater (PHIT) from 2009 - 2017, a position in which wrote the core curriculum for the improv program, created new courses, trained instructors, and taught dozens of classes over those years. Mike then took the title of Artistic Director which he held until 2020 when the theater closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He created and directed the long running Philly shows Study Hall: Comedy Inspired By Lectures and Not Yet Rated: An Improvised Movie, and the sketch comedy epic A Nightmare on Jawn Street. Mike also directed directed the award winning improv teams Asteroid! (retired) and the Future, which still performs together 10 years later. He also performed in his own weekly show The Seltzer Hour featuring Mike Marbach and Friends and his reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas in over 50 different celebrity impressions is yearly tradition in Philly.

Mike also runs the Crossroads Comedy Theater Podcast Network, which features comedy and pop culture themed shows covering topics such as Game of Thrones, Star Trek, Comic Book Movies, Lord of the Rings, sketch comedy props, with more to come. 

During the pandemic, Mike moved to Indianapolis to be with family and started Crossroads Comedy Theater. Mike wrote new curriculums focusing on all the things he loves about improv and sketch comedy. He's looking very forward to getting Crossroads going in the "Crossroads of America." “Philly is now in the great hands of people that actually live there. I am in Indy and it’s time to focus on doing what we can to add to the already lively comedy and theater scene here. It may take some time, but I know people will love what we have to offer.”

When not doing Crossroads things Mike likes to watch tv / movies, listen to audiobooks, go bowling, or work on a new celebrity impression.

PAYMENT PLANS
Play now, Pay later! Crossroads offers payment plans! Our main payment plan option allows you to enroll in a course and pay for it in four, equal, interest-free installments over six weeks. At checkout click the "Pay Via Payment Plan" box and then select the payment plan option you would like to use. We also understand all situations are different, so if this particular payment schedule does not work for you, please email us at [email protected] to discuss the possibility of a schedule that is more tailored to your particular financial situation.

DISCOUNT ENROLLING IN MULTIPLE COURSES
If you have your eye on two or more courses currently enrolling in the same session- you can get a 15% discount! Discount is deducted from the total, regular enrollment cost and is good for core program classes in improv, comedy writing, musical improv, and stand-up with the occasional addition of some electives. To take advantage of this discount please email [email protected] with the courses you would like to take and we will send you an invoice to get your on your way. It's worth noting that this invoice will allow you to take advantage of another payment plan that will break up your enrollments into four payments over six weeks.

REFERRAL BONUS
You will meet some great new people in your class, but we aren't opposed to you bringing some friends along for the fun! If you refer someone to one of our intro classes (classes with a 1 in them) and they enroll, you both get a $25 Crossroads Comedy Theater gift card good for future classes or shows. Once they enroll send us an email CC'ing the person you referred or who referred you and we will issue the refunds within a few days. Our already great price just got even better!

CROSSROADS PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE
Crossroads runs occasional sales on some or all courses. We know that no one likes paying for something and then seeing it advertised at a lower price. For that reason we have the Crossroads Price Match Guarantee. If you see your class advertised at a lower price, email us at [email protected] while the sale is still active and we will refund the difference!

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
If you're on social media you can follow us on Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Tik Tok, and LinkedIn.

PUBLIC HEALTH POLICIES
Masks will be optional during this course. Though Crossroads does not require proof of vaccination to enroll in our courses, we highly encourage all students to be up to date on vaccinations. Students should stay home if they are ill the day of class. Any student that tests positive for COVID-19 or any other highly contagious, airborn disease should inform the theater so we can alert other students. These guidelines can updated based on the mandates of the City of Indianapolis, the CDC, or other public health experts.

CODE OF CONDUCT
It boils down to this: Treat people with respect. We do not tolerate hateful, discriminatory, or disruptive behavior. Behavior that is racist, misogynist, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, ageist, or any other unacceptable behavior not here mentioned will result in removal from the class. We strive to be inclusive of all experiences. We are always learning and aim to keep the class safe and respectful for everyone. The use of recreational drugs, illegal drugs, and/or alcohol is not permitted during class. The use of substances in class or the impact of prior usage exhibited in disruptive ways in class may result in your removal from class.

REFUND POLICY
All Crossroads Comedy Theater class sales are final. Please carefully consider your schedule and travel before enrolling. In some cases students may defer their enrollment to one of the following two class sessions. Deferment after the start of the course is not permitted. Any questions about this policy can be emailed to [email protected]. Policy updated March 2024.

KNOW PEOPLE IN PHILLY? TELL THEM ABOUT US!
Our first location was in Philadelphia where we have a great and growing reputation for offering the best courses with the most experienced and active instructors. Our Philly location has a full program including longform improv, musical improv, sketch comedy writing, writing for tv and film, stand-up comeyd, clowning, and more. We also produce lots of live comedy shows throughout the year. For  more on Crossroads Philly click here!