All Included Dates

Sat

Sep 12

1:00 PM

Sat

Sep 12

7:00 PM

Description

The emcee is one of the most important members of any improv show. A skilled host can build trust with the audience, maintain momentum, and keep a show running smoothly—even when things go sideways. An unsure or inexperienced host can damage the energy of an entire set and start the show off on the wrong foot. Yet, despite its importance, emceeing is a skill that few improvisers are ever formally taught.

In this workshop, you'll learn the fundamentals of great hosting, including stage presence, audience interaction, introductions, transitions, handling unexpected moments, and keeping the energy of the show on track. Whether you're preparing to host your first show or looking to sharpen your existing skills, you'll leave with practical tools to become a confident ambassador between the audience and the cast. The class will also include a public class showcase at 7 PM where students can apply the skills they've learned.

During this class, students will learn:

How to speak clearly and authoritatively onstage
How to interact with and adapt to audience input and energy
How to explain the show to an audience
How to keep the show on track and moving
How to create energy through audience warmups and and sustain energy throughout the show
How to set your performers and your audience up for success
How to ask for and take suggestions
How and when to call a scene or show

When:
Saturday, September 12th from 1 - 5 PM, class showcase from 7-8 PM at the Eagle Theater. Students are highly recommended to register only if they can attend the class showcase.

Where:

The Eagle Theater - 921 Front St, Old Sacramento - California Historical Landmark #595. Parking information is here.

Schedule:
There will be 5 minute breaks at 2 and 4 PM, with one 15 minute break at 3 PM. Students are highly encouraged to bring snacks and eat prior to class.

Accessibility:

The Eagle Theater is a historic building and offers the following accessibility features:

Wheelchair-accessible audience seating, including ramped access
Accessible public restrooms located across the street
Full details on our website

Age requirements

You must be at least 18 to register.

About the instructor:
Jessilee Windhaus (she/they) is a Sacramento-based improviser, producer, emcee, and instructor with over 20 years of expertise in improv performance and instruction and 12 years of experience in performing arts leadership. She is the Founder and Co-Owner of Haus of Comedy (Sacramento’s only woman and LGBTQIA+ owned comedy theater), Co-Founder of Empire Arts Collective, and Founder of That Plus Chips live sketch and improv comedy group, where she served as a director and instructor. Jessilee has emceed hundreds of live events—from improv shows, competitions, and variety performances to Hamilton Sing-Alongs and weekly trivia. She also leads public tours for the Sacramento History Museum, engaging audiences from around the world, and currently serves as the producer, director, and emcee of Haus of Comedy’s flagship improv team, Sharks Barksley. She holds a Bachelor's in Theatre from CSU Sacramento and has performed both nationwide and locally at comedy hubs like Haus of Comedy, Sacramento Comedy Spot, STAB! Comedy, and ComedySportz Sacramento. They served as the Director of High School League at ComedySportz Sacramento. Teaching Artist credits include Missoula Children’s Theatre, Marin Shakespeare Company, B Street Theater, and CYT Sacramento, where the APEX Improv Team she coached won the 2026 CYT EXPO National Championship, along with awards for Best Male Performer, Best Physical Comedy, and Best "Yes, And" Moment.

About Haus of Comedy:

We offer improv comedy classes, live improv comedy shows, and team building in Sacramento, CA. We believe that comedy is more than just entertainment—it is a catalyst for happiness, connection, and community. Our mission is to empower people of all backgrounds to play, grow, and connect through inclusive, high-quality comedy and performance experiences—cultivating laughter, creativity, and community in a vibrant space where joy and personal growth thrive. Laugh. Connect. Belong!

Prerequisites:
Improv experience (at least Improv 201 or equivalent) is highly recommended. For questions, please reach out to [email protected]

Refund policy:
We do not offer refunds for classes. We may offer class credits for missed classes or cancellation.

Questions:
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]

Haus of Comedy offers improv classes, live improv comedy shows, and team-building in Sacramento, CA. We believe that comedy is more than just entertainment—it is a catalyst for happiness, connection, and community.

To stay posted on improv classes, shows, auditions, and more, you can follow Haus of Comedy here:

Newsletter: https://www.hausofcomedy.com/subscribe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hausofcomedysac/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hausofcomedy
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hausofcomedy
Website: www.hausofcomedy.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hausofcomedy

Location

The Eagle Theater - 921 Front St, Old Sacramento - California Historical Landmark #595 - California Historical Landmark #595, 921 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814, CA

Supported tier - for folks who need access at a lower financial level $48.61 (includes fees)

Supporter tier - give a little extra to support the instructor and the organization $95.88 (includes fees)

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I understand that Haus of Comedy does not offer refunds. Each registration supports our instructors, performers, and small business operations. Classes and events require advance planning and have limited capacity, and my registration reserves a spot held specifically for me. I also understand that class revenue helps fund diversity scholarships and supports low-cost public shows, ensuring a low barrier to entry for our community.

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Waiver, etc. • In return for being allowed to participate in Windhaus Improv activities and all related activities, including any activities incidental to such participation (the “Activities”), the undersigned Individual (hereafter referred to using “I”, “me”, or “my”) releases and agrees not to sue Windhaus Improv, LLC or its officers, directors, employees, sub-contractors, sponsors, agents and affiliates (the “Organization”) from all present and future claims that may be made by me, my family, estate, heirs, or assigns for property damage, personal injury, or wrongful death arising as a result of my participation in the Activities wherever, whenever, or however the same may occur. I understand and agree that the Organization is not responsible for any injury or property damage arising out of the Activities, even if caused by their ordinary negligence or otherwise. I also agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Organization for all claims arising out of my participation in the Activities. I understand that this document is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the state in which the Activities take place and agree that if any portion of this Agreement is invalid, the remainder will continue in full legal force and effect. I represent that, to my knowledge, I am in good health and suffer no physical impairment that would or should prevent my participation in Activities, given that reasonable accommodations are made. I also understand that this document is a contract which grants certain rights to and eliminates the liability of the Organization. I am of legal age and am freely signing this agreement. I have read this form and understand that by signing this form, I am giving up legal rights and remedies. I have read this form and understand that by signing this form, I am giving up legal rights and remedies.

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Photo and video release • I hereby grant Windhaus Improv, LLC the irrevocable right and permission to use photographs and/or video recordings of me on Windhaus Improv’s website and other websites and in publications, promotional flyers, educational materials, derivative works, or for any other similar purpose without compensation to me. I understand and agree that such photographs and/or video recordings of me may be placed on the Internet. I also understand and agree that I may be identified by name and/or title in printed, Internet or broadcast information that might accompany the photographs and/or video recordings of me. I waive the right to approve the final product. I agree that all such portraits, pictures, photographs, video and audio recordings, and any reproductions thereof, and all plates, negatives, recording tape and digital files are and shall remain the property of Windhaus Improv. I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge Windhaus Improv, its current and former trustees, agents, officers and employees of the above-named entities from any and all claims, demands, rights, promises, damages and liabilities arising out of or in connection with the use or distribution of said photographs and/or video recordings, including but not limited to any claims for invasion of privacy, appropriation of likeness or defamation. I hereby warrant that I am eighteen (18) years old or more and competent to contract in my own name or, if I am less than eighteen years old, that my parent or guardian has signed this release form below. This release is binding on me and my heirs, assigns and personal representatives.

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Name: Master class: How to Emcee an Improv Show with Jessilee Windhaus
Start: 2026-09-12T13:00-07:00
End: 2026-09-12T14:30-07:00
Location: Haus of Comedy

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Master class: How to Emcee an Improv Show with Jessilee Windhaus

Sat, September 12, 2026 @ 1:00 PM PDT + 1 more • Multiple prices

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