The Forge

The Forge

Improv Team Incubator

Improv Team Incubator

Build something new. Together.

Build something new. Together.

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The Forge is an 8-week program designed to audition, form, and coach a brand new indie improv team. Led by Andy North (of the improv team “Candy”), this intensive coaching experience will take talented improvisers and forge them into a cohesive ensemble ready to take the stage.

Going through The Forge is not a requirement to get on stage with Black Sheep - but if you're looking for an opportunity to join a new (or your first!) team, then read on!

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The Forge is an 8-week program designed to audition, form, and coach a brand new indie improv team. Led by Andy North (of the improv team “Candy”), this intensive coaching experience will take talented improvisers and forge them into a cohesive ensemble ready to take the stage.

Going through The Forge is not a requirement to get on stage with Black Sheep - but if you're looking for an opportunity to join a new (or your first!) team, then read on!

Image

The Forge is an 8-week program designed to audition, form, and coach a brand new indie improv team. Led by Andy North (of the improv team “Candy”), this intensive coaching experience will take talented improvisers and forge them into a cohesive ensemble ready to take the stage.

Going through The Forge is not a requirement to get on stage with Black Sheep - but if you're looking for an opportunity to join a new (or your first!) team, then read on!

What You'LL GET

  • 8 weeks of focused team coaching and rehearsal

  • Development of your team's unique voice and format

  • Performance opportunities at Black Sheep Comedy shows

  • Guidance on organizing and producing your own indie shows

  • A supportive community of fellow performers

What we're looking for

  • Improvisers with solid fundamentals who are ready to commit to building something special.

  • You should be comfortable with scene work, collaboration, and pushing yourself creatively.

  • Previous training or performance experience required.

COMMITMENT

  • Interested performers must attend the audition in late January. Exact date TBA.

  • Rehearsals: Saturday mornings, February - March (8 weeks)

  • Performances: April - June

  • Program fee: $80 (helps offset rehearsal space costs)

Location

  • Rehearsals and auditions in Chapel Hill.

  • If you're coming from Durham or Raleigh, that's great - just be ready to make the trip to Chapel Hill regularly.

TO AUDITION

The team will be selected via an open audition process. The primary purpose of the audition is to help identify and build a team that will have good chemistry with each other.

  • The audition will take place in late January. Exact details will be announced soon!

This program is presented by Andy North in partnership with Black Sheep Comedy.

Questions? Contact us here.

About Your Coach

About Your Coach

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Andy North

Andy North has been performing improv for over 20 years, and teaching it for nearly as long. He began at the original ComedySportz in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, then trained at Second City in Chicago. There, he founded the game-based improv group "The Planetary Defense Force" and performed at venues including the Museum of Contemporary Art, High Concept Labs, and ComedySportz Chicago with the long-running improv dodgeball game show "Dodgeball Dungeon".

After moving to the Triangle in 2018, Andy founded the Durham Community Improv Jam and currently performs regularly around the area, including with the two-person improv team Candy.

As a teacher and coach, Andy has worked with students of all ages. He has taught at First Stage Theater Academy in Milwaukee, developed the summer improv curriculum for Northwestern University, and taught winterim improv courses at Duke University.

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Andy North

Andy North has been performing improv for over 20 years, and teaching it for nearly as long. He began at the original ComedySportz in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, then trained at Second City in Chicago. There, he founded the game-based improv group "The Planetary Defense Force" and performed at venues including the Museum of Contemporary Art, High Concept Labs, and ComedySportz Chicago with the long-running improv dodgeball game show "Dodgeball Dungeon".

After moving to the Triangle in 2018, Andy founded the Durham Community Improv Jam and currently performs regularly around the area, including with the two-person improv team Candy.

As a teacher and coach, Andy has worked with students of all ages. He has taught at First Stage Theater Academy in Milwaukee, developed the summer improv curriculum for Northwestern University, and taught winterim improv courses at Duke University.

Image

Andy North

Andy North has been performing improv for over 20 years, and teaching it for nearly as long. He began at the original ComedySportz in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, then trained at Second City in Chicago. There, he founded the game-based improv group "The Planetary Defense Force" and performed at venues including the Museum of Contemporary Art, High Concept Labs, and ComedySportz Chicago with the long-running improv dodgeball game show "Dodgeball Dungeon".

After moving to the Triangle in 2018, Andy founded the Durham Community Improv Jam and currently performs regularly around the area, including with the two-person improv team Candy.

As a teacher and coach, Andy has worked with students of all ages. He has taught at First Stage Theater Academy in Milwaukee, developed the summer improv curriculum for Northwestern University, and taught winterim improv courses at Duke University.

© 2025 Black Sheep Comedy • Improv and sketch comedy shows and classes in Carrboro & Chapel Hill, NC

Classes and Shows at:

The ArtsCenter 400 Roberson St, Carrboro, NC 27510
My Muses 201-A E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510

© 2025 Black Sheep Comedy • Improv and sketch comedy shows and classes in Carrboro & Chapel Hill, NC

Classes and Shows at:

The ArtsCenter 400 Roberson St, Carrboro, NC 27510
My Muses 201-A E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510

© 2025 Black Sheep Comedy • Improv and sketch comedy shows and classes in Carrboro & Chapel Hill, NC

Classes and Shows at:

The ArtsCenter 400 Roberson St, Carrboro, NC 27510
My Muses 201-A E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510

© 2025 Black Sheep Comedy • Improv and sketch comedy shows and classes in Carrboro & Chapel Hill, NC

Classes and Shows at:

The ArtsCenter 400 Roberson St, Carrboro, NC 27510
My Muses 201-A E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510