THE SCHOOL

The Asheville School of Improv has emerged as the central training ground for aspiring improvisers in the Asheville area. Led by esteemed instructor Tom Chalmers, the Asheville School of Improv offers classes that cover the fundamentals as well as the finer points and far-reaching possibilities of performing in an improvised format. More and more people from more and more places are saying “yes” to The House of “Yes And,” from those focused on a future as an improv comedian, to aspiring actors seeking to expand their skills, to interested individuals who are intrigued by the challenge of the sport of spontaneity. Launched in 2016, the Asheville School of Improv grew out of the former Asheville acting conservatory, NYS3, which had been offering improv classes since 2012, all taught by one teacher, Tom Chalmers.

The Reasonably Priced Babies — Tom is a member of the popular long-running local improv troupe Reasonably Priced Babies, and part of the improv ensemble, Scuttlebutt.

THE INSTRUCTOR

A graduate of Columbia University, Tom has been absorbing, performing, and advocating improv comedy for over thirty years. While at college, Tom spent summers in Chicago studying with Second City and Improv Olympic, where he learned under improv legend, Del Close. Tom chose to stay in New York where he trained with The Groundlings East / Gotham City Improv. He was a student, performing company member, teacher, and eventually Artistic Director. While in New York, Tom also trained with the Upright Citizen’s Brigade and Burn Manhattan. Tom’s former students have gone on to work on such shows as Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Reno 911. Tom has been an instructor at NYU, a guest lecturer at Columbia, and is currently an Adjunct Professor at Warren Wilson College. Tom takes all the best ideas and approaches from all the people and programs that he has worked with and blends them together to define his supportive yet demanding style of teaching.