Improv Playground: Comedy for Everyone

WHO WE ARE

Who We Are
Improv Impact is a vibrant community studio in Roseville, California, where creativity and connection thrive. Founded by longtime improviser Paul Burke, our mission is simple: to build confidence, spark imagination, and inspire joy through playful, supportive improv experiences.

What We Offer

Drop-in Workshops: Join our “Improv Playground” every Tuesday evening. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to say “yes, and!”
Multi-week Courses: Dive deeper with our six-week Improv 101: Foundations class. You’ll learn core skills like active listening, scene-building, and trusting your instincts.
Weekend Intensives & Special Events: From one-day deep dives into long-form improv to pop-up performances on Vernon Street, there’s always something fresh and exciting on our calendar.

Our Community
At Improv Impact, mistakes are celebrated as opportunities to explore. Whether you’re unleashing outrageous characters in group games or discovering your storytelling voice in partner scenes, you’ll be surrounded by people who cheer you on. Our students often describe our classes as “an instant mood boost” and “the best two hours of the week.”

Join Us
Ready to unleash your creativity, make new friends, and laugh until your sides hurt? Come experience the magic of improvisation—where every moment is an invitation to play, connect, and grow. Your first step is as easy as saying “yes!”

Meet Our Instructor

Hi! I’m Paul Burke, and I’ve been teaching improv for 15 years and I can’t wait to work with you! As a kid I watched and loved “Whose Line is it Anyway?“ but never thought, “I can do that!“

Two decades ago I needed a change. I was anxious, depressed and felt lost. I loved being creative, and (trying) to make people laugh, but didn’t have an outlet. I felt stuck.

I tried improv in Sacramento and fell in love. It changed my life. I felt welcomed into a community. This was my tribe, and I studied everywhere with a variety of teachers. I love short form improv as much as long form improv. I studied at iO (formerly ImprovOlympic), SecondCity, BATS (Bay Area Theater Sports). I performed at Sacramento Comedy Spot and ComedySportz Sacramento before opening Blacktop Comedy and serving as artistic director in Roseville, and later Rocklin.

At Blacktop he created and performed in a variety of sketch and improv shows including Teen Slasher, Epic, Your F@#$%^ Up Relationship, Squeaky Clean, Best Night Ever and many more.

After closing Blacktop due to the pandemic he is the founder of Improv Impact and is thrilled to offer improv classes once again.

My mission at Improv Impact is to welcome you, give you a safe place to create, and show you that improv is for everyone. Come have fun, move at your own pace, and feel connected to your creative self. Improv Impact is designed for those looking for something new, discovering comedy, making new friends, and challenging themselves and personal growth.

Let go of anxiety, ditch fear, and become more confident!