South Shore residents no longer need to brave the Boston commute to get the personal and professional benefits of improv training. Harbor Media, Hingham’s hyperlocal community television provider airing high definition programming, is partnering with Boston’s Improv Asylum to launch an eight-week improv class series hosted at Harbor Media’s Hingham-based community television studio.
The series, taught by veteran improviser and Hingham resident Matt Griffin, will run from June 19 to August 14, every Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Harbor Media’s TV studio (35 Pond Park Rd, Suite 8, Hingham).
“As a South Shore native, I’m thrilled to help bring the magic of improv closer to home,” said Norm Laviolette, co-founder of Improv Asylum. “This partnership is about more than comedy — it’s about accessibility, creativity, and community. People may take improv classes for a lot of reasons – to develop confidence with public speaking, to learn how to think on their feet, or to release some steam and meet new people. Whatever reason people sign up for, the thrill of trying something new for the first time is something we — as adults — rarely get to experience like this. It’s a blast.”
A TIMELY PARTNERSHIP WITH A BROADER IMPACT
The collaboration not only meets growing demand for creative outlets — Improv Asylum has seen class registration grow significantly in recent years — but also provides meaningful support to local public access television. As cable subscription rates continue to decline statewide — with Hingham’s numbers dropping nearly 30% over the past five years — community media organizations like Harbor Media are facing mounting financial pressure.
“This program exemplifies how we can repurpose community assets in new and relevant ways,” said Michelle Balconi, Harbor Media’s Executive Director. “Hosting improv classes in our studio is a creative use of space that brings fresh energy and visibility to our work, but still serves our mission statement of serving the community.”
Registration Information
Participants of all experience levels are welcome. The class will explore the fundamentals of improv, including scene work, character development, and spontaneous storytelling — all in a supportive, laughter-filled environment. For more information and to register, visit: improvasylum.com/improv-classes/
In addition to the Improv Asylum series, Harbor Media will offer a full slate of performance and production related classes with the launch of Harbor Media University “HMU” offering best in class instruction with industry professionals. Key partnerships with Boston-based Improv Asylum along with TV writer David Punch, producer/director John Rice, film and commercial producer Margie Sullivan and everyone’s favorite weatherman Michael Page were instrumental in bringing next-level instruction to Hingham and the surrounding South Shore community. Visit www.HarborMedia.org/learn.html to see the full list of courses with registration information.