Meet Sam Haldiman of Second Beat Improv Theater in Uptown Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Haldiman.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Around 2000, I was looking for so sort of creative outlet and found the Jester’z improv and took classes there. I started performing there weekly doing short form improv for about four years. A friend there mentioned a five-week summer intensive in Chicago at iO Theater training in long form improv. I went there and decided to stay after the summer. I spent about four years in Chicago training and performing at iO Theater, Annoyance Theater and several other places in the city. I moved back to Phoenix in 2008 with the intention to start my own theater. At that time the Torch Theatre was just starting and I decided to help get that theater going. I was the Education Director and Programming Director. After eight years with them, I decided to start my own theater. I opened the theater in January of 2017 with classes and started shows a few months later.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s actually been a pretty easy process. I have had a lot of great support from the improv community. There were some slow moments getting everything approved through the city but no major setbacks. The biggest issue came with the property owners talking about selling the building and a potential buy would have converted it into a storage facility which would have meant starting over and finding a new location and going through the city again. This ended up falling through and although the property is still on the market I am fairly sure that it will be quite sometime before this becomes an issue again.

Please tell us about Second Beat Improv Theater.
I am an improv instructor and performer. I am all about people having fun and finding their own voice as an improviser and encouraging them to play. My intro level 1 class though isn’t just for improvising. It’s about people just trying to be better. Many of the concepts in improv are very applicable to life. Things like listening, collaboration, support other social skills to name a few. Personally, though I am extremely pleased with the curriculum and the way it has been built to bring people together, get out of their comfort zones and create an environment of inclusivity. I also believe that people seeing an improv show for the first time might either have the most amazing experience or be completely turned off. That is why I try to create a great evening of diverse teams so that I think although not everything will be great (as it is all improvised) but they will walk out of the show having a greater understanding and appreciation for long-form improv theater.

Is there a quality or characteristic that has played an outsized role in your success?
I think positivity, honesty and important to improv saying yes, and.

Pricing:

• Skewed News Hour – Every 3rd Friday at 7pm – $7
• Improv Triple Play – Every Saturday at 7pm – $10
• Classes – $180

Contact Info:

• Address: 6040 N 7th St Ste 103
  Phoenix, AZ 85014NW corner of 7th St and Bethany Home Road
  (Just north of the CVS)
• Website: https://secondbeatimprov.com/
• Phone: 602-644-1365
• Email: sam@secondbeatimprov.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secondbeatimprov/

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