Just Do It

Ali Farahnakian's Improvisation Workshop

by A.D. Amorosi

Sat.-Sun., Jan. 6-7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., $150, Connie's Ric Rac, 1132 S. Ninth St., 212-563-7488, www.thepit-nyc.com

Sure, Ali Reza Farahnakian co-founded Upright Citizens Brigade, wrote for Saturday Night Live, studied under Second City maestro Del Close and appeared regularly on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. I've done those things. So what?

What's made the comic behind stage shows The Revelation Will Not Be Televised and Word of Mouth so revered is that he started NYC's The Peoples Improv Theater (The PIT), that—along with producing nightly comic fare—makes improvisation education its focus.

In particular, Farahnakian drills into long-form improv, the kind Frankie Tartaglia of Connie's Ric Rac studied. So, deep in the Italian Market this weekend, improv guru Farahnakian's workshop/seminar promises intense drills and exercises to reinforce the vernacular of improvisation.

"You'll discover how to find all callbacks and connections in an organic fashion, and cultivate your own personal Improv Samurai, so that you'll trust that 'acting like yourself' works," says Farahnakian in his class notes. "As long as you are entertaining yourself, you will entertain others."

Oh man, I only pray that's true.