Instructor Bio

TODD BENZIN is a Buffalo born and bred actor and improviser. Todd got his start in improv with ComedySportz Buffalo, and moved on to a long run with the Eclectic Improv Co. He is a Conservatory graduate from the prestigious Second City in Toronto and currently is a member of improv duo Babushka and Unscripted at Road Less Traveled Productions (RLTP). Todd has had the opportunity to teach several workshops at local high schools and through the Alleyway Theatre Education program. He has also appeared at Kleinhan's, the Kavinoky Theatre, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Shea’s 710 Main Street, the Irish Classical Theatre, RLTP, the New Phoenix, the Ujima Theatre, Subversive Theatre, Theatre of Youth, and MusicalFare, where he was nominated for two Arties for Supporting Actor in a Musical. He has also appeared on film in “The American Side” and as a voiceover artist in several video games including the “Magicka” series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I’ve done improv before and would like to take an eight-week improv class. Which class should I start with?

A: Our Level One class is our introductory class, and is the class most people should probably start with, even those with improv experience. It is well-paced and full of great information and activities. In Level One we cover Yes/And, building a grounded foundation for our scenes, creating characters and committing to them, initiating from a suggestion and an opening, basic scene mechanics, and editing. Our Level One class is specifically designed to be worthwhile and fun for everyone, including people with improv comedy experience. Every activity in our Level One class would also be appropriate for a workshop or rehearsal with experienced improvisers, and experienced improvisers consistently report being happy they started with our Level One.

This being said, if you’ve taken long form improv classes from a place that teaches it similarly to the way that we teach it (there are a lot of places that qualify) or if you perform improv comedy regularly, it should be fine if you would like to start with either our Level Two or Musical Improv Comedy Level One class, or if you want to participate in our Adventure Club program. If you’d like to chat about whether it might be ok for you to jump right to an upper-level class, send us an email at email@buffaloimprovhouse.com

Q: I took a Level 2 or higher class elsewhere. Can I take the next higher level with you?

A: Probably not. Improv comedy "levels" are not consistent from theater to theater and company to company. Our classes are specifically intended to train people to do our style of improv comedy in a step-by-step manner, and we do not know of any companies locally who teach things the way we do. Because of this, our Level Two class is the highest one that we generally allow folks to start with, even if they have improv experience or took a level higher than "two" somewhere else. And even then, the Level One is probably the best one to start with. Our classes are not aligned with classes at any other company, and our approach may be very different than the class you took!

We hope this does not disuade you from registering! If you want to be involved with what we do, taking a class is a great way to get up to speed in our style of improv. Our classes are specifically designed to be worthwhile and fun even for folks with experience, and beginning at Level 2 we tailor the feedback to each individual student.

For more frequently asked questions, check our FAQ!

The Fine Print

This class is offered by Buffalo Improv House LLC.

Class Size Requirement: This class requires a certain number of registrants in order to run. Buffalo Improv House reserves the right to cancel and refund this class if that number is not met. We will be in touch with you if it looks like this will happen.

COVID Policy: We follow local, state, and federal guidance and requirements in regards to COVID safety policies. In addition, this class takes place at a building that may choose to enact its own COVID safety policies, and we are in frequent communication with other performing arts organizations regarding their COVID policies. Our classes are currently mask-optional, with proof of vaccination not required. However, this may change as CDC, State and local regulations and guidance changes, or as new best practices develop in our industry. We take COVID seriously and ask that you do not take our classes if you are unwilling to follow COVID safety measures if the COVID situation returns us to a place where face coverings or proof of vaccination become required or recommended again.

Cancellation / Makeup Policy: This is a multi-week class. If an individual session needs to be canceled due to weather, instructor unavailability, or for COVID reasons, a session will be added on the Wednesday following the final scheduled class session. If this happens, we will prioritize having the same instructor teach that makeup class, but this might not be possible, so this make-up class may be taught by another one of our world-class faculty members. If another make-up day makes more sense, the instructor and students can decide on an alternate make-up day. If the Buffalo Improv House team determine that the class can no longer run due to COVID reasons or other reasons that would disrupt in-person instruction, the class will either move online, will be put on hold, will be moved to a new location, or will be canceled, depending on various factors including student feedback.

Refund Policy: We follow the same strict no refund policy of most Improv Comedy schools and theaters, except in the case where our class is unable to run as advertised. This is because our classes require a certain number of students to run, and we are a small operation and need to base our decisions based upon whether or not individual classes are able to run. If this class cannot run as advertised and must be canceled before its start date, we will provide full refunds. If this class must be canceled or if significant changes must be made to the schedule after the class begins (beyond the use of our reserved make-up day) we will provide prorated refunds based on the number of remaining classes. We try to be as understanding as possible, and if a student needs to withdraw we usually are able work with them to put their tuition towards another eight-week class.

Lateness and Attendance Policy: Please be on time for our class, and please prioritize this class. Our classes are designed in a way where it is most beneficial if everyone is there, on time, ready to work. We ask that students be punctual, and that students try to miss no more than two individual classes per eight-week course. If you need to miss three or more class sessions, we will likely ask that you re-register for another session of the same eight-week course, especially if your third or later absence is a consecutive one.

To be clear: It’s understandable to occasionally be running late because work ran late, or to need to miss a class because of a long-planned vacation, a medical situation, a gig, or something like that, and we are very understanding and flexible. But our classes are structured in a specific way and it is not good for anyone if a person is late each week, or if they miss more than a couple classes, especially in a row.

Seeing Improv Shows: Beginning in 2024, students in our "leveled" improv classes will be required to see at least two improv shows in order to go onto the next level. This ensures that our students know what they are studying to perform! We offer students free admission to at least two shows/events per eight-week class to make this easy, and there are other improv comedy shows and companies around town. Your instructor will let you know which shows are running each week.

Student Discounts: Are you a student? We are happy to offer discounts to current college / university students or recent graduates. Send us an email at email@buffaloimprovhouse.com

Conduct Policy: All students must agree to abide by our Extremely Reasonable Conduct Policy. By registering for this class you are confirming you agree to abide by this policy.