The Big Picture at Redmond Town Center is offering classes in the art of improvisation, for students age 21 or older, for eight Saturdays, Sept. 25-Nov. 13, from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

The classes will be taught by Gary Schwartz, an award-winning actor, writer and director with more than 35 years of experience teaching acting and improv to beginners and fellow professionals.

His mentor and teacher was Viola Spolin, known as “The Mother of Improvisation.”

In the 1950s, Spolin and her son Paul Sills developed the first improv group in the United States, that later became Chicago’s Second City troupe. The group has produced such stars as Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Bill Murray, Alan Alda, Joan Rivers, John Candy, Chris Farley, Stephen Colbert and Jim Belushi.

Schwartz began his association with Spolin in 1977 and has conducted hundreds of improv workshops worldwide. He is the co-founder and director of the Spolin Players, which has included Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson.

Improv classes help students become more spontaneous and confident in their public speaking, as well as offering a chance to meet new people and learn to adapt to new situations.

The improv classes at the Big Picture cost $225 if you register by Aug. 31 or $245 if you register after that date. To reserve a spot, call (425) 556-0566.