Sea Tea Improv Studios — Attraction in Hartford

I took my first Improv 101 class at Sea Tea theater in Hartford 4 years ago. I went on to take many Sea Tea classes, workshops, and do many improv jams and drop-in practices and some shows. I really liked Sea Tea’s Improv 101 class and as a stand-alone experience I would recommend it. Beyond that, it has been hard for me to progress into regular performing, which is kind of a goal when participating at an improv theater. Perhaps I may not be in the target demographics for their products. Understandable. Or it could be that I am a neurodivergent person lacking the needed social skills, though that hasn’t stopped my successes elsewhere.

While I like the individuals and the teachers at Sea Tea, and respect the efforts of so many volunteers, I prefer a more nurturing, creative, artistic, safe-space-first improv comedy environment than what Sea Tea offers. YMMV.

I do hope Sea Tea finds ways to improve and grow and reach more people. The community does some great things but I imagine this is a hard business to run and it is hard to meet everyone’s needs. Then again, I’ve also heard a lot of improvisers discontented about Sea Tea having too many cliques, inner-circle favoritism, lots of relationships amongst leadership, and other situations that seem like potential barriers to inclusion.

I do a lot of improv elsewhere (out-of-state and online). In comparison to other organizations, I wish Sea Tea was a safer space. My opinion is that Sea Tea has more of a self-protecting “We don’t condone this or that behavior” approach. My experience has been that the behavior rules are inconsistently communicated and enforced at Sea Tea events.

I prefer how my other out-of-state improv communities who use "time-out or new-choice or step out of scene" rules that any improvisor can use anytime, without repercussion, to stop any scene and prevent the risk of “isms” and punch-down comedy. Unlike my Sea Tea experience, other creative safe spaces I’ve been in more consistently ask pronouns and even proactively ask accommodation needs.

In my experience, it seems that the Sea Tea teachers and facilitators are the ones who are supposed to stop unsafe content. That doesn’t work well from what I’ve seen, such as when, for example, I was at a Sea Tea practice where a monologue about a mental health disability was used as a suggestion to inspire a scene which then led to one improviser mock-slapping other improvisers. Most places consider mental health disabilities to be inappropriate content.

I do hear of promising efforts at Sea Tea but there is room to go. For example, I was in a recent class show where it was said Sea Tea was trying to have more male and female balance, which is great. But I was confused by being told “that doesn’t count” when I mentioned nonbinary is also a gender identity. I guess it's still a cisnormativity approach unfortunately.

To add to that, there’s a Show Pitch section of Sea Tea website but it lacks recommendations for diversity. In contrast, UCB improv theater in NYC asks this on the UCB show pitch form: “How does your show align with the following mission statement...? Our mission is to create an environment where comedians can hone their craft, find their voice, and take big risks on stage. With a commitment to amplifying diverse voices, we encourage a culture of empathy, dignity, and understanding...” It would be nice if Sea Tea did similar to give focus to amplifying diverse voices.

The Sea Tea audition form also lacks a clear requirement to self-identify one’s marginalization status and/or disability accommodation needs. Without enabling improviser self-identification during auditions, I wonder how Sea Tea would have a way to create the inclusive comedy that is part of...

I love taking classes at Sea Tea Studios. Would highly recommend to anyone of all skill levels, age or other background. Improv can be very vulnerable and scary and the good people of Sea Tea have made an amazing space where you can feel comfortable failing and be celebrated when you succeed. The instructors are really great, understanding people- you get the sense that no one who teaches there does it for anything less than a love of improv and a desire to help other people learn about it. They really take the time to get to know you and truly want you to succeed. One of my favorite things about the classes is getting to know people from all walks of life, backgrounds and experiences. I've made so many friends at Sea Tea who I would have never otherwise met. The new studio space is lovely and very welcoming. The prices are incredibly reasonable and many scholarships are offered which do a great deal to letting this art form be appreciated by more people. Highly recommended- I...

Protip: Sea Tea Improv's Studios are different than their Theatre. Be aware that you might be looking for the other venue. Improv classes take place in a building above the first floor, while performances are at the theatre below the first floor at different addresses

This place is an awesome resource for a centrally located city, also the Connecticut capital, in Hartford.

Easily accessible from eastern highways bearing west, you'll find yourself near a parking lot with plenty of parking across near the studios.

The Studios offer a mix of traditional classes and workshops to get involved, and the prices are affordable. You should definitely consider taking a class here, it's worth...