Misfit Improv and Acting School

"Gillian is an incredible teacher and mentor. My daughter is having the time of her life taking classes with Gillian. Looking forward to the improv class."

"I’ve taken Misfit’s short-form improv and musical improv classes and both were fun and eye-opening experiences! Gillian, along with the other instructors here, are gifted at teaching, team-building and fun-making. They are also enthusiastic, caring people who make it easier to be brave, take chances and become more confident - honing those life-affirming “yes, and…” improv skills that are so vital both on and off the stage! The magic of spontaneity! To laugh and play together and be “kids” again! We need that! Misfit brings it ON."

"Such a warm and judgement-free creative space. I take Joe’s Performance Lab improv class on Monday nights and have done his Intro to Improv class. I also have taken Gillian’s Improv 101 class. In each class my mind explodes with some new discovery. This after years of being in theater (in some capacity or another). Learning from some of the most talented improv artists in the country or from my brave classmates. Misfit is not only an improv school, it’s a fun and welcoming community. Thursday night Jams and performance opportunities…there is a place for everyone - even if you don’t want to do improv! Just come, watch, laugh and soak in the most loving and creative vibe. Love, love, love Misfit! Can’t wait for Monday! (Who says that?!?)"

"Misfit Improv is SUCH a gift to Asheville! I took Gillian's short form class and it was so so so fun. Highly recommend to anyone looking to take an improv class!"

"I’ve lived in several cities before moving to Asheville recently, mostly focusing my time on art and solopreneurship, so I’ve never tried improv or theatre. After signing up for the Misfit Level 1 Class (taught by Gillian Bellinger) I thought “What have I gotten myself into?” Now that I’ve completed the 8 week experience, I want to share why I think everyone needs to bring improv (and these classes) into their life. My first reason is the safe and inclusive space that Gillian creates in every interaction. Any nervousness I had was greatly reduced, knowing that I was never being judged for my lack of experience. The fun warm up games were a perfect way to shake off any performance jitters and my favorite part was how open my classmates were to jump right in and have fun. Also, while we were encouraged to get out of our comfort zone, the inclusivity boundaries were set and honored to make sure everyone felt seen and respected. The second reason I loved this improv class is the personal development I experienced. I learned to build my confidence and take risks in front of others, the value of interacting with a team, and supporting a performance as a whole in a selfless way. The core concepts of “Yes, and…” along with the importance of defining location and relationships were taught and reinforced daily in a memorable and meaningful way. My favorite thing about this class was my front row seat to the passion and talent our teacher Gillian exudes. As she explained a new game or approach, she would often launch into a spontaneous example that was insightful, hilarious, or over the top in the best way possible. I often looked over as a spectator, noticing how genuinely excited and proud she was when things started to click for us on stage. I truly felt like my mushy, moldable brain was in good hands! I highly encourage everyone to attend one of the many Asheville improv events or classes. We’re very lucky to have easy access to this unique art form and I look forward to spreading the good word and watching the community grow."