About us
Curated live comedy with a focus on quality, community, and unique voices.
Kickstand Comedy is a nonprofit theater that strives to provide programming and educational outreach that helps people laugh, connect, and create together.
Guided by a diverse and dedicated Board of Directors, we work tirelessly to advance our organization's mission + vision, develop performers, create hungry fans, and strive to make Portland comedy undeniable!
OUR MISSION.
To transform and enrich the lives of performers and audiences through comedy. We work to eliminate the historic barriers that have kept folx from seeing and doing comedy, addressing the ongoing needs of our community and its diverse perspectives through dynamic shows, and community outreach events—creating equity across our organization and beyond while providing opportunities for performance, education, and laughter.
Upcoming events
2
Free Intro to Improv Workshop TUE w/ Kickstand (S4.2.26)
1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR, USYOU MUST REGISTER ON KICKSTAND'S WEBSITE TO ATTEND
Free Intro to Improv Workshop
Get a taste of an intro improv class at Kickstand in this two-hour workshop. Have a blast, meet fun people, and find out what an improv class is like. Improv can help you improve your communication skills, develop your voice as a comedic performer, or it can be a creative new hobby. Students will learn the importance of agreement, honesty, and spontaneity, as well as other fundamental improv skills!DAY / TIME: Tuesday, Aug 18th, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
LOCATION: 1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
PREREQUISITE: None***
ALL SALES ARE FINAL, AND NO REFUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OUR CLASSES
The policies below are essential to Kickstand's mission. Everyone must agree to uphold them while being part of the Kickstand community. Please be familiar with our policies before beginning classes at Kickstand. You can find these policies listed on our website. We have also linked to them below.
- Non Harassment Policy
- Community Accountability Policy
- Refund & Deferral Policy
- Attendance, Make-Up, Visitor & Same Day Class Cancellation Policy
- Student Liability Waiver
- What Makes Rich Inclusive Comedy
Thanks again for your interest in classes at Kickstand! We cannot wait to meet you!
REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND4 attendees
BIPOC FREE Level 1 Intro to Kickstand Improv WED w/ Eric Simons (S5 26)
1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR, USYou must apply before enrolling. Click on the blue/underlined APPLY HERE link below. Accepted applicants will be notified
Get your feet wet by finding the fun in the spontaneity and collaboration of improvisation. Whether you’re looking for a fun way to improve your teamwork and communication skills or are serious about developing your voice as a comedic performer, this class equally honors both of these goals (and might even push you to expand those goals). Students will learn the power of agreement, honesty, and spontaneity to build a successful scene and have fun doing it!
Kickstand's BIPOC improv track is currently a free / pay what you will affinity class through Level 3. After that, students pay full price (or apply for a scholarship) for Level 4, 5 & for Advanced Study in our general program, where students can learn and apply their skills to different formats. Each week of class builds on the previous one, and each Level builds on the Level before.
*Level 1 includes 6 weeks of instruction with 2.5 hours of instruction each week!
INSTRUCTOR: Eric Simons
DAY / TIME: Wednesdays 6:30 - 9 PM (2.5 hours)
DATE RANGE: 6 weeks. 8/26, 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30
LOCATION: 1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd Portland OR 97214 (ADA accessible)
PREREQUISITE: NoneThis is an application-based class. Apply by Mon 8/17 and we will notify you about the status of your application by Wed 8/19
ABOUT ERIC SIMONS
He/Him
Eric Simons is a writer, improviser, teacher, and producer originally from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, who has been swimming in Portland rivers since 2015. He has gathered over 20 years of comedy experience from all corners of the contiguous United States (and THREE CANADIAN PROVINCES). He currently uses all that world weary experience with his group Mosaic Improv and as a teacher with Kickstand’s BIPOC Comedy Program.***
ALL SALES ARE FINAL, AND NO REFUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OUR CLASSES
The policies below are essential to Kickstand's mission. Everyone must agree to uphold them while being part of the Kickstand community. Please be familiar with our policies before beginning classes at Kickstand. You can find these policies listed on our website. We have also linked to them below.
- Non Harassment Policy
- Community Accountability Policy
- Refund & Deferral Policy
- Attendance, Make-Up, Visitor & Same Day Class Cancellation Policy
- Student Liability Waiver
- What Makes Rich Inclusive Comedy
Thanks again for your interest in classes at Kickstand! We cannot wait to meet you! APPLY HERE
2 attendees
Past events
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