Workshops - Sunday, June 28
Nelson Velazquez - Second City Chicago
Get ready to play with purpose! Station Theater proudly welcomes Nelson Velazquez, faculty member and Musical Director at Second City Chicago, for an incredible Sunday of specialized improv training. These workshops are a rare opportunity for players to expand their toolkit and push the boundaries of their craft.
Location: Station Theater - 2000 Nance Street | Suite A-100 | Houston, TX 77020
Number of Students: Minimum of 6; Maximum of 15 per workshop
Experience Level: Level 3 or higher recommended (not required)
Station Theater Students & Alumni!
Don't forget to grab your Discount Code before registering! Check the Station Facebook Group, your class GroupMe, or email info@stationtheater.com for details.
Show Me - Don’t Tell Me
SUDNAY, 6/28 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Words – they can get in the way of delivering excellent scenes. So throw them away!
This unique workshop uses physical theater improvisation and speechless scenes along with mask work and music to discover communication through body language and silent interactions. Develop new characters & initiations and sustain deeper interactions with players of all skill levels using these techniques.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
Mind-Body Tuning: Use physical warmups to get out of your head and into your body.
The Power of Action: Explore how physical movement can drive a scene forward faster than dialogue.
Object-Driven Discovery: Crack the What and Why of your scene using nothing but the environment around you.
Unspoken Chemistry: Master the art of high-emotion, low-word scene work using physicality and space.
Silent Storytelling: Perform compelling, entirely silent improvised pieces that captivate an audience without a single spoken word.
Recommended Skill Level: Intermediate – Advanced (Level 3+)
Max Students: 15
Workshop Length: 3 hours
Special Instructions: Please wear comfortable clothes to move around in and athletic shoes. Sandals, open-toed shoes, boots, and heels are strongly discouraged.
Taking Singprov to the Next Level
SUNDAY, 6/28 | 3:00 - 7:00 PM
OK. You can sing. You can improvise. You can even improvise a song or two. Now it’s time to learn how to marry your scene work to support your newly minted song so the story you’re telling before, during, and after the song is cohesive and strong. We explore the fundamental building blocks of doing long-form improvised musicals here!
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
Sing Like a Pro: Grab the advanced tools you need to make your improvised songs sound like Broadway hits.
Find Your Hook: Learn how to weave seamless Verses and Choruses on the fly.
Find Your Style: Experiment with different song types, whether you're singing a solo declaration or leading a full-cast rebellion.
Bold Scene Work: Make bigger, braver choices in your scenes to set up bigger, better songs.
Create Instant Bonds: Discover how to build rich, instantly watchable relationships right out of the gate.
Get Your Bearings Fast: Uncover the context of your scene immediately so you can focus on having fun.
Earn the Song: Learn how to escalate the emotional stakes until singing is the only option left.
Recommended Skill Level: Intermediate (Level 3+)
Maximum Number of Students: 15
Workshop Length: 4 hours
ABOUT NELSON VELAZQUEZ
Nelson Velazquez has been actively engaged in improvisational theatre since 2004. His expertise encompasses sketch comedy, standup, scripted theatre, and various forms of improvisation. He is currently a faculty member and musical director at Second City Chicago, an instructor/performer with Improductions, LLC, and a guest instructor at theatres worldwide. Additionally, Nelson serves as the head musical director for Los Improviachis, an improvised musical mariachi ensemble.
Training and Performance Background
Nelson’s training and performance experience includes renowned institutions such as the Second City Training Center, The Annoyance Theatre, and ComedySportz Chicago. He has performed with numerous groups across the United States, showcasing his versatility and commitment to the art form. Nelson is also the former Artistic Director and current board member of Salsation Theatre Company, a Latinx theatre company with over 25 years of history specializing in sketch and improvisational comedy.
Teaching Experience
Nelson has extensive teaching experience, having conducted workshops at major festivals internationally including the Impro Amsterdam Festival, The Chicago Improv Festival, The Baltimore Improv Festival, The Northwest Improv Festival, and the Grand Rapids Improv Festival amongst many others. His workshops focus on empowering students with the skills necessary to excel in both improvisation and performance.
Mission and Vision
Nelson is dedicated to leveraging his deep knowledge of comedy and performance to engage audiences through sketch comedy, standup, and improvisational theatre. His mission is to demystify the creative process behind comedy, whether it is through theatre or writing. Nelson aims to make theatre accessible and inclusive, equipping individuals with the tools they need to express themselves confidently and authentically.