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TUTORS FROM

  • YaleUniversity
  • PrincetonUniversity
  • StanfordUniversity
  • CornellUniversity

Award-Winning Improvisation Tutors

William

Certified Tutor

6+ years

William

Bachelor in Arts, Linguistics
William's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

Improv isn't just comedy — it's listening, reacting, and building scenes through "yes, and" thinking. William performs improv regularly at Yale and brings that stage experience directly into teaching students how to commit to choices, read their scene partners, and develop characters spontaneously. ...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor in Arts, Linguistics

Test Scores
SAT
1580
ACT
35
Rachel

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Rachel

Master of Fine Arts, Acting
Rachel's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Public Speaking
College Essays

"Yes, and" sounds simple until you're standing in front of people with nothing planned. Rachel's MFA in Acting and her performing arts background mean she teaches improvisation as a craft — scene structure, character commitment, active listening, and the discipline of staying present onstage. She's ...

Education

Brown University

Master of Fine Arts, Acting

Muhlenberg College

Bachelor in Arts, Theater Arts

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Christopher

Bachelor in Arts, Music Teacher Education
Christopher's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I am a musician, educator, and philosopher based in New Haven, Connecticut. I studied at UCLA graduating Cum Laude with degrees in Music Performance, Education, and Philosophy. I have been tutoring private music lessons and academic subjects for over 5 years now, and I work as a substitute teacher a...

Education

University of California Los Angeles

Bachelor in Arts, Music Teacher Education

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Stephen

Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Stephen's other Tutor Subjects
6th Grade AP Language Composition
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

Public speaking, creative writing, and psychology might seem like separate disciplines, but Stephen connects all three in his approach to improv — reading people, thinking on your feet, and building narrative spontaneously. As a Yale student who teaches across communication-heavy subjects, he treats...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science, Psychology

Test Scores
SAT
1500

Certified Tutor

4+ years

Rukhsar

Master of Arts, Political Science and Government
Rukhsar's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math
Calculus

Public speaking recognition and a background in creative self-expression give Rukhsar an unusual entry point into improv — she approaches it less as a theater exercise and more as a communication discipline rooted in spontaneous storytelling and responsive dialogue. Her teaching emphasizes reading t...

Education

Harvard University

Master of Arts, Political Science and Government

Wellesley College

Bachelor in Arts, International Relations

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Zachary

Bachelor of Science, Labor and Industrial Relations
Zachary's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Public Speaking
College Essays

Improv isn't about being funny — it's about listening, reacting, and trusting your instincts in real time. Zachary teaches the core principles like "yes, and," active scene-building, and character commitment, giving students a toolkit they can use on stage, in auditions, or just to feel more confide...

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor of Science, Labor and Industrial Relations

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Gabriela

Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Gabriela's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Neuroscience
Biology

Good improv isn't about being funny on command — it's about listening, reacting honestly, and building on what your scene partner gives you. Gabriela teaches the fundamentals of "yes, and" thinking, character commitment, and emotional authenticity, creating a low-pressure space where students get co...

Education

The University of Texas at Dallas

Bachelor of Science, Psychology

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Aaron

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering
Aaron's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus 2
Calculus
Algebra

I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old e...

Education

The University of Texas at Dallas

Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering

Duke University

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1530

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Mimi

Masters in Education, Education
Mimi's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all su...

Education

Harvard University

Masters in Education, Education

Dartmouth College

B.A.

Test Scores
SAT
1560

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Nina

Masters in biostatistics
Nina's other Tutor Subjects
Statistics Graduate Level
Statistics
Calculus
Algebra

I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant ...

Education

Columbia University

Masters in biostatistics

Northwestern University

Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences (focus in neurobiology)

Columbia University in the City of New York

Current Grad Student, Biostatistics

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Certified Tutor

Reid

PHD, Education
Reid's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults...

Education

Harvard University

PHD, Education

Wesleyan University

Bachelor in Arts, Sociology

Test Scores
ACT
32

Certified Tutor

Christopher

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Christopher's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Trigonometry

I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tut...

Education

Harvard College

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Solange

Bachelor in Arts (Sociology & Women's Studies)
Solange's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
ACT Writing
Public Speaking

I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campu...

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor in Arts (Sociology & Women's Studies)

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

Liz

Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12
Liz's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received ...

Education

Simmons College

Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor of Arts in History (minors in Humanities and Anthropology)

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

Charles

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Charles's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Trigonometry

I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best descr...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1440
ACT
34

Meet Varsity Tutors Experts

Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.

Reid

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +35 Subjects

I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults towards passing the US Citizenship Exam and taught English in India, where I lived for six months. Whenever I work with a student I personalize the lessons to fit their particular learning style, since I know every student is unique and having the right fit can make all the difference in making learning fun and effective. My strengths are tutoring the social sciences and humanities, as well as making math and standardized tests approachable to students that normally don't like those subjects. In my spare time I like traveling, spending time in the outdoors (climbing & backpacking), meditation, and playing soccer. Next fall I will be beginning my PhD in Education at Harvard University.

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Christopher

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +51 Subjects

I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tutor for both Math and Spanish programs in high school and enjoyed the strides I made with students. I am willing to tutor any subject I have a background in, but am strong in mathematics, the sciences, Spanish, history, writing, and ACT prep. I enjoy teaching mathematics most due to the joy I can see in children once they master a topic and can answer even pointed questions meant to stump them, and maybe even put their knowledge to real world use. As a tutor, I like to give a strong foundation to orient my student, and then gradually grant them more freedom and independence until they can feel themselves grasp the concept, pointing out pitfalls or common errors along the way; teachers who used these methods on me always left the most lasting impressions. Outside of my studies, I really enjoy listening to music, both old favorites and new interests, reading classics, and gaming/playing basketball with my friends. Hobbies: writing, art, books, reading, gardening, music

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Solange

Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects

I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campus); social sciences; and literature/writing. Hobbies: books, hiking, reading, music, writing, art

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Liz

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +40 Subjects

I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received my Masters in Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Simmons College. I have worked extensively with students with a range of abilities, including students with specific learning disabilities, emotional impairments, dyslexia, and ADHD. My teaching experience has given me a deep understanding of the knowledge and habits essential to academic success and has given me the opportunity to hone a variety of strategies that ensure students at each level can achieve their academic goals. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, my favorite ones are Reading, Elementary/Middle School Math, History, and Test Prep. In my experience, tutoring is the most rewarding when a student has that "aha!" moment and achieves a new level of understanding and confidence in his/her abilities. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of education, and I see my role to be that of a facilitator and coach who is there to help the student reach his/her goals through individualized support and rigorous practice. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, practicing my Spanish, and discovering new music. I am also an avid traveler and just got back from a 3 month trip to South America. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!

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Charles

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects

I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals! Hobbies: art, books, running, reading, music, writing

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Michelle

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects

I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medicine.

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Justin

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +48 Subjects

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've tutored introductory physics students for three years and enjoyed it thoroughly, as a chance to help other students while revisiting fundamental concepts to enhance my own knowledge. I'm eager to continue reaching out and helping students of math and physics to succeed and, furthermore, to appreciate the beauty and power of these subjects.

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Ingrid

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +51 Subjects

I am exploring my creativity by pursuing a double major in Asian Languages and Cultures with a focus in Korean, studying abroad in South Korea as a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar, leading workshops that teach 3D printing and CAD for undergraduate students as the president of 3D4E, advocating for the first-generation and low-income student community as the Outreach Chair of the Quest+ Scholars Network, and getting involved with the Society of Women Engineers' outreach committee. I currently hold a work-study position as an administrative clerical aide in the Institute of Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern and was an undergraduate researcher in the John Rogers Lab. As I look forward with aspirations of applying to graduate school, areas of research in biomedical engineering and biotechnology that I am particularly interested in include biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, and drug delivery systems. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy learning on my own and sharing my experience and knowledge with my peers and other students. I hope to make use of my experiences with academics and learning in high school and so far in my undergraduate career in order to effectively tutor students who may be experiencing the same struggles in learning that I also experienced.

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Isabella

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects

I am a graduate of MIT. I received my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with minors in Management Science and Ancient and Medieval Studies. Since graduation, I have started my PhD at Georgia Tech in Operations Research. Throughout my career I have TA'd several math and computer science courses at the college level. I have also taught at summer programs for gifted middle school and high school students. I am passionate about tutoring kids in math and science because I think that a strong foundation in STEM at an early age can set the tone for their future. In my spare time I like to engage in athletics, and was a Division 1 rower in college. Hobbies: reading, swimming, writing, books, music, running, art

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Andrew

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects

I am comfortable tutoring math subjects up to multivariable calculus and differential equations, as well as college physics. Hobbies: books, music, art, reading, writing

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Frequently Asked Questions

Students typically struggle with three core areas: committing fully to choices and characters without self-consciousness, maintaining scene momentum while listening actively to scene partners, and building coherent scenes from abstract initiations. Many improvisers also find it challenging to balance being "funny" with genuine character work and emotional authenticity. A tutor can identify which of these areas needs the most focus and provide targeted exercises to strengthen weak points.

Active listening is foundational to improvisation, yet many students default to planning their next joke instead of reacting authentically to what their scene partner offers. Tutors use structured exercises like "Yes, and" drills, mirror work, and dialogue-focused games to rewire this habit. Through personalized feedback on recorded scenes, a tutor can pinpoint when you're dropping offers or failing to build on your partner's initiations, then coach you to stay present and responsive in real time.

Strong improv characters have distinct physicality, vocal patterns, perspectives, and emotional stakes—not just a funny accent or catchphrase. Many students conflate comedy with character, creating one-dimensional caricatures instead of believable people. Tutors guide you through character exploration by asking specific questions about your character's background, fears, and motivations, then coach you to find humor through authentic character behavior rather than forcing jokes. This approach creates scenes that are both funny and dramatically satisfying.

Many improvisers struggle to establish clear "who, what, where" information early in scenes, leading to confusing or directionless interactions. Tutors teach you to identify and plant strong initiations—the opening offer that establishes context—and then build logically from that foundation rather than introducing random elements. Through scene analysis and guided practice, you'll learn to recognize when a scene has lost its grounding and how to make edits or returns that strengthen the narrative without breaking character.

Expert improvisation tutors should have substantial performance experience in multiple formats (short-form, long-form, sketch, musical improv), training from recognized programs, and ideally a history of teaching or coaching other improvisers. They should understand improv theory deeply—not just how to perform, but why specific techniques work and how to diagnose what's blocking a student's progress. The best tutors combine performance credibility with the ability to break down skills into teachable components and adapt their approach to different learning styles and skill levels.

Fear of looking foolish prevents many improvisers from fully committing to bold choices, resulting in tentative, half-hearted performances that kill scenes. Tutors create a safe, judgment-free environment to practice risky choices repeatedly until commitment becomes automatic. Through exercises that separate performance from evaluation, and by giving specific, actionable feedback on what works rather than what "failed," tutors help you build confidence that strong choices—even unconventional ones—serve the scene and the audience.

Most improvisers start with short-form games (which emphasize quick thinking and pattern recognition), then progress to long-form narrative work (which requires sustained character and scene building), sketch, or musical improv. Each format demands different skill priorities: short-form rewards speed and callbacks, while long-form requires patience and emotional investment. A tutor can assess your current format and either deepen your expertise or guide you toward formats that better suit your strengths, ensuring your practice time builds skills progressively rather than plateauing.

Readiness typically means you can consistently maintain "yes, and" in scenes, establish clear character and environment choices, listen actively to scene partners, and recover gracefully from mistakes without breaking character. You should be able to perform a 5-10 minute scene with coherent narrative arc and genuine emotional stakes, not just punchlines. A tutor can honestly assess whether you've developed these fundamentals and identify specific skills to sharpen before auditioning, increasing your confidence and chances of success.

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