Excused Absence is Austin’s go-to youth program for comedy training, all ages shows and performance opportunities.
Classes, camps, shows and abundant performance opportunities are available year round at ColdTowne Theater through their youth program, Excused Absence Comedy. With a faculty that includes some of Austin’s most beloved improvisers and Teaching Artists, ExAb provides an advanced level of training and abundant opportunities to perform and attend live comedy.
Classes: Outside, Online or Onsite
The world has changed and so has Excused Absence. There’s never been a more important time to safely connect, collaborate and create. With that in mind, we have transitioned our Improv, Storytelling and Sketch Classes to include online, outdoor and hybrid options. The results have been far better than we dared to imagine.
In addition to building small creative communities, the work our students, teachers and performers have produced in class has been downright delightful. Check out our classes page to see what’s available.
Pod Classes
Pod classes consist of 6 to 8 students who limit social contact to a small group of peers. These classes are organized in 7 week blocks and take place a designated outdoor or onsite location. Check back for details!
Safety Information
Hilarious and safe? Yes!
Look, if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Improv, it’s that you have to find the funny in what’s in front of you. Incorporating social distance, masks, super clean hands and a variety of other safety standards might seem daunting at first, but we are very proud of how our students and staff have adapted to this new world. Learn more here. (Link to come!)
Touring Events
Bring Improv classes, workshops and performances directly to your home, school, library or organization with our Move Your Tale touring company.
Due to current events, we are slowing down our normal touring schedule and working one on one with organizations to create safe, group specific events. Contact us at 512 809 0017 or exabimprov@gmail.com to create the perfect workshop, recurring class or show for your group. Online and limited onsite available.
Camps: Online, Outside or Onsite
Excused Absence Comedy Camps are a concentrated dose of funny for young comics of all levels. Taught by some of Austin’s most experienced and respected performers, our camps are a positive, creative way to hone your comedy chops while making friends and having fun.
We can’t predict where the world will be in December, but hope to offer both online and onsite camps over the Winter Break. Contact us with any questions or suggestions you have for us!
