American Improv Transforms
American Improv is Austria’s first English-language improv school, built on one belief: improv changes people. Since 2020, we’ve helped hundreds of students stop playing it safe and start trusting their instincts.
We teach Chicago-style, story-driven improv—grounded in truth, connection, and spontaneity. It’s not about being funny. It’s about being present. And yes, it often gets hilarious.
Our classes build confidence, sharpen communication, and rewire your brain to respond—not rehearse. Whether you’re a total beginner or a performer leveling up, you’ll find a space to explore, take risks, and grow.
With guest teachers from institutions like The Groundlings, the Upright Citizens Brigade, and iO Theater, plus events and shows that put your skills into practice, American Improv gives you more than stage time. It gives you momentum.
This isn’t just training. It’s a way to become more you.
About American Improv
Founded in 2020, American Improv is Austria’s first English-language improv school. From our weekly shows at Café Aera to our structured, Chicago-style, four-level curriculum, we’re all about personal development through improv. Our approach helps you get out of your head, build self-trust, and become your best self.
Get out of your head.
About Peter Graff
Peter started American Improv with one goal: to help people unlock what’s already in them. He trained at ComedySportz, BATS, Made Up Theatre, and Endgames, building a style rooted in emotional truth, grounded play, and sharp instincts. Peter’s a licensed cognitive behavioral therapist, bringing a rare mix of rigor, insight, and presence to the classroom. His teaching is direct, supportive, and transformative—designed to help you stop performing and start showing up. Peter also teaches at Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), where he helps students change minds through humor in storytelling.
About Sophie Vater
Sophie is a certified social pedagogue with a gift for building trust. Since 2009, she’s worked with kids and teens at SOS Kinderdorf, guiding them through crisis, connection, and creative play. Her background shapes everything she brings to improv: care, clarity, and a deep belief in the power of safety and support. At American Improv, Sophie helps students take risks, find their voice, and grow—together.
About the Conservatory
The American Improv Conservatory is where our boldest voices come to play. Made up of top students and alumni, it’s the creative heart of improv in Vienna—and home to Vienna’s only weekly improv comedy show in Vienna. From hit parody shows like Not Harry Potter and Battlestar to sharp German-langauge comedy of the Wiener Kabarett-Theater, the Conservatory showcases exceptional unscripted theater.
It’s not just a stage—it’s a launchpad.