I've taken improv with a few different instructors before and Jay is the top! He encourages you to take risks and never make the safe decision in your storytelling. I appreciate how smart he is in his improv and how he encourages his students to be the same. I am definitely more confident after taking improv with him. I trust that I am enough and that has freed me to be more creative than ever! Plus my booking/callback ratios especially for commercials (since they are mostly improv) have drastically improved. Thanks Jay!!! read more

Side note, before this I've already taken improv classes, talked with other knowledgeable improvisers, and studied books for years. Now... The sign of a truly top tier class is that is doesn't simply repeat the common and thorough list of ideas other great classes also teach, but it brings up new or overlooked ideas. Jay brought ideas to my attention I hadn't heard before and addressed developing areas of my improv I've never even considered developing further. And not just for myself. And he did so humbly and with the gracefulness of Mr. Miagi. This guy wins friends and influences people! He also has the class summarize things gone over to help us retain and remember what he taught which is very helpful. If you're looking to round out your education, get ANY possible question answered (Ex. Q: Can I have a dollar, Jay? A: No!!! Ex. 2 Q: Pleeeeeeeease?! A: No!!! Ex. 3 Q: .... A: No!!!), have ongoing support via email and messaging (it's really mentoring if you think about it), or see the greatest cow impression ever performed in a sober state (Cheers to sobriety! *Clink*).... You've gotta do this class. Find a cheap AirBnb near the heart of Hollywood -- there's a great spot in Culver City with a Japanese chick hosting for instance either for a one bed or two bed. Uber-ing over was $5-6 per way total for two people. I forgot to, but remember to take pictures including with your classmates and Jay and his friends for nostalgia's sake. Also, there was an awesome improv performance by Jay and his pro friends at the end. Haven't seen it that good in person! Don't sneeze or you'll be begging for a replay. read more

The combination of Jay Sukow's positive mentality mixed with his day to day LIFE tips will have you dropping BOMBS in every show, audition, and interview! His energy and zest for life are contagious and his exercises make you feel like a rock star leaving his classroom. After taking his class I had a new take on improv and he reminded me of why I love doing it. He's responsible for reviving my ways of being willing to fail and how to be fearless! This review makes him sound like a life coach but he really is the MAN. I will always lean towards following the fear because "There are no mistakes in improv, only gifts!" And it's true - very realistic approach that we often forget after taking so many improv courses. Needless to say, I plan on taking more of his workshops and classes in the future! read more

Jay Sukow is simply the best. The real deal. The whole enchilada. He loves acting and improv. His passion is infectious. Highest recommendation. He's not a bragger but he has done improv all over the world and has learned from, taught and shared the stage with some of the top actors and improv talent in world. UPDATE: Jay is still the best. read more

Anything I could say here would sound made up. Seriously. I'd never done anything like improv until I took a class with Jay right after I turned 40. It's not like my life was in the gutter or anything; things were generally pretty good. But that class changed my life. I'm SOOOO much a different person now, in all better ways. I learned I didn't need to control everything (my husband thanks you). I learned to have fun again (my children thank you). I became more confident (my employer thanks you). I became MUCH happier and fulfilled (I thank you). I found Me! And lest you think it was just improv, and not Jay... I took this class 3+ years ago and have since gone on to make improv my full-blown hobby, with other classes in several other places and even graduating a program and being cast in multiple house troupes now. Nobody has ever quite made it to Jay's level. He's a phenomenal teacher because he helps EVERYONE have fun, even those who have no apparent "talent." He makes every moment fun, truly sees you, and makes the class about the students, and never about himself. So, so, so worth every star and more I can give this man! read more

I absolutely enjoyed taking this class! Whether you are new to improv or experienced, Jay is a great person to work with. From taking this class I learned to make stronger decisions and to block out the little voice in my head that tells me I can't do it. Jay made me everyone in the class feel very comfortable, It was a blessing to be able to work in such a stimulating environment. read more

Jay is one hell of teacher!!! He combines profound knowledge, encouragement, skill, compassion, joy, and love to get you to a place where improv feels like breathing. RUN, don't walk to his class! read more

Jay is an all around ROCKSTAR. He's the most genuine human, teacher and friend you could ever ask for. I was fortunate enough to have Jay as my teacher @ Second City and his teaching methods were life changing. He helped unchain me from all the inner thoughts holding me back from really being in the moment which allowed my improvisation to be more open and honest. If you want to be your best self, than you need a partner like Jay to help get you there. I remember one time feeling down about not getting an audition and Jay reminded me that it's okay to fail and to not get discouraged - he helped me get back on the audition horse and I nailed that next one! Jay is also super respectful of all of his students - he makes you feel safe and also stands up for people and won't put up with any mistreatment or inappropriateness - a champion for honesty and integrity! read more

My improv class with Jay was AMAZING. It was everything I was looking for in a class. I'm not an actor -- I'm a screenwriter -- and I was looking for something to just help feed my creativity and self-expression. It was perfect! I learned so much! Jay created an incredibly safe environment and his method of coaching was extremely helpful. The class was a joy -- I feel like it took my creativity to the next level and I have been UBER productive since the class. read more

Jay Sukow is one of the most incredible teachers. He has taught for years at The Second City Training Center here in Chicago. (We miss him. give him back to us already) Jay is one of the most positive and nurturing instructors. He creates the safest, most loving and respectful environments in his classroom. He has the ability to really challenge the student. I always love to see how much a student grows from his classes. I know it has to do with how Jay creates such a joyful space to learn, create and collaborate. Jay lives what he teaches. You'll quickly see that between the art form and Jay's guidance, the student will become better at improvisation, and their life will just become happier. (BTW...I was his supervisor when he was teaching at Second City) read more

Well the sandwiches he served were really good and the prices inexpensive. Oh wait, Improv teacher Jay Sukow. I have taken a couple classes with him. He is a terrific teacher he creates a safe environment where you can explore. The one thing is he is all in as evidenced by the tattoo, "yes and". So take his dam class!!!!!!! read more

Jay is an outstanding teacher and communicator. The space that he creates for everyone is fun, safe, adventurous and positively outrageous. He inspires his students to explore and develop their highest selves and I simply cannot say enough about the power of his class. No matter what level you are, what your end game is, Jay's education will uplift, empower and enlighten you. Get to Jay's class, Godspeed! read more

I took Jay's class at Second City in Chicago and it was AH-MAZE-ING!!! I am not a career improvisor however I have taken the tools Jay gave me and applied them in business settings (I work in corporate management) as well as parties, with family, and for fun on stage with friends. Only when you "Follow the Fear!" will you be able to amaze yourself with what you can do. Thanks Jay! read more

I'm not surprise to see all 5 star reviews for Jay. Simply, because he is amazing and because he changes lives. Jay was my teacher at the Second City in Chicago and since then I always knew that I could relay and depend on him. He is just one of those people who has a gift of making you believe in yourself, trust your ensemble partners and believe in a bright happy future while staying in a moment. He teaches you to always play it happy and real and have each others back! I wish all my teachers through life were like you, Jay! LA - you are so lucky to have him now! read more

I love the combination when someone is super cool and super wise. I took Jay's journey class and I learned so much about the art of improv....from the class exercises as well as Jay's talking points about improv in general. Jay is a 'improv renaissance' man....he gets that the virtues of improv- empathy, vulnerability, connection, yes-and, listening, support, boldness, courageous and daring....apply to all areas of life. read more

Jay is a phenomenal improv teacher. He helped me fall in love with improv all over again. He is different than any teacher I have had. He has a way of mixing pure positivity with intelligence and strength. The transformation of the people in class over 6 weeks was amazing. Jay helps you play to the height of your intelligence, while having fun and challenging yourself the entire time. He helped to remind me that improv is not only an awesome art form, but a way of life. I would recommend Jay to people who have never taken an improv class, actors looking to play in the moment, or the improv vet looking to stay sharp. I am incredibly grateful for him, and that he is here in LA! read more

Transformative. Jay taught me skills no therapist, professor, or book could teach me. I was able to get out of my head and get into the scenes which totally translated into getting back into my life. I can still hear him say 'lose your shit'. That voice plays when I need to rise to the occasion of standing up for myself, of telling the truth, of reeling in joy, in being an in the moment person. Sign up. Jay has mad skills that will be part of your transformation. read more

I cannot say enough good things about Jay. He teaches improv with enthusiasm, compassion, patience, and joy. I had the pleasure of learning from Jay over the course of several months, and in every class, every rehearsal, I left feeling like I had learned not only to be a better improviser, but also a better person in life in general. How many classes of any kind can you say that about?! If you ever have the opportunity to take a class or workshop with Jay, DO IT! In fact, go out of your way to take one of his classes. Seek this guy out. His teaching is the gift that keeps on giving. read more

The Journey is not your mama's Improv class. It's a blissed-out adventure that will have you falling in love with your teammates and maybe feeling pretty OK about yourself along the way. Get ready to sweat, dance, roll around and chant with other likeminded adults in a safe, supportive, exhilarating womb. Jay is a rock star who makes you feel like a rock star and want to treat others like a rock star. I recommend this class to anyone who is human! read more

Jay will be the best teacher you have ever had. And that goes both to improv and life. With respect to improv, Jay knows his stuff. Jay has performed improv himself for years; and he is teaching improv because he loves the craft and wants to spread that love to others. No matter what stage of improv you are in -- a beginner or an expert -- you will learn from Jay. And, somehow, even if your class is full of 15 people, each one of you will come out of that class feeling as if that class had been designed just for you. But at the same time, each one of you will understand that improv only works by supporting each of the other 14 people on stage with you. But you can also be confident that Jay is going to push you and make you better. He can spot where you are struggling, and he will be persistent in helping you overcome that struggle. Jay is simply the real deal. You will love improv, and be the best improviser you can be, by taking his class. And if it couldn't get any better, you will also find at the end of your class that you have somehow also magically become a better person. Jay is honest and truly caring above all things. It is impossible to be around someone like that for any period of time without having it affect your own view of life as well. As all of the reviews on here show, you will find yourself living the lessons you learned from Jay years down the road. If you are having any doubts about taking an improv class, let working with Jay be the reason you do it. You will thank yourself for the rest of your life. read more