Meet the Instructor

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Sam Haldiman has been improvising since 2000. He began his training in short form improv with the Jester’z in Scottsdale. He performed on their mainstage team until 2005 when he moved to Chicago to train in long form improv, beginning with the 5-week summer intensive at iO Theater. After completing the full improv training courses at iO Theater and Annoyance Theater he performed on several teams around Chicago.

After returning to Phoenix in 2008 he joined The Torch Theatre where he served on the board as programming director and training director, teaching classes and coaching teams regularly.

You can catch him performing every Friday night in the Skewed News Hour, the weekly show he produces, on second Saturdays with his two-man show Salmon Shane in the Improv Triple Play, and on third Saturdays with his Harold team, Displacers. 

Mission Statement

Second Beat Improv Theater will be a voice in the improv community for individuals and ensembles who desire to advance their artistic choices and push the artform to new boundaries.

Vision Statement

To facilitate a training center focusing on continued longform improvisation training. Creating an environment that will allow for stronger performance choices from the individual and the ensemble.

Recent Blog Posts

Pandemic Precautions

By Sam Haldiman | May 28, 2020

I’m eager to get improv going again, but with abundant precautions to keep our improv family safe.

There’s no place like (our new) home

By Sam Haldiman | September 10, 2019

It’s so easy to get comfortable on the couch and settle in for a night of Netflix, but we’d like to invite you to our place. Second Beat Improv Theater has a new home! Check out our new location starting October 1, 2019. Come on in and take a class, enjoy a show, or jump…

Jellies and Improv Jams

By Sam Haldiman | September 16, 2018

We’ve recently started two new improv jams at Second Beat. Every 2nd Saturday at 8:30pm we have the Log Roll Jam, a fast-paced jam of randomly drawn teams of two doing a scene, taking on another duo. The audience votes and the winners keep playing. The other team’s names go back in the bucket to…

Keep swimming!

By Sam Haldiman | August 6, 2018

As I have seen people in my life continue to put themselves out there and try new things and reinvent themselves, I have been inspired. As artists, we should continue to keep learning and trying new things. I am working on providing new opportunities for people at the theater that go beyond improv. There have…

Get Out

By Sam Haldiman | April 5, 2017

I recently saw the movie Get Out. This post has nothing to do with the movie but everything to do with the title. The point is say yes to things and get out of your house and out of your comfort zone. I recently went on a hot air balloon ride for my anniversary, and…

If I had a baby…

By Sam Haldiman | February 26, 2017

I imagine this is how I would feel if I had a baby. This theater keeps me up at night. I never get any sleep and I’m always exhausted. It drains my money. There is always a mess to clean up. I should hate it but everything about it continues to make me smile and…

What Type of Improviser are You?

By Sam Haldiman | September 10, 2016

Each person’s playing style is determined very early in their improv training. Improvisers driven by intellect use their mind to come up with smart and clever retorts in a scene. Emotion-based performers will often respond with “when you say that it makes me feel…” to show how their scene partner’s response affects them. Someone who…

Why I Still Love to Improvise After 16 Years

By Sam Haldiman | September 10, 2016

I think I began improvising to have a creative outlet and show everyone how funny I could be. When I first started to improvise it was a lot about myself. I didn’t realize the power of really being a part of an ensemble. Over time I realized it was so much more than what I…

Class Registration Open

By Sam Haldiman | August 27, 2016

Registration is now open for Level 1 classes beginning in January 2017. Levels 2 through 4 will open up as students complete Level 1. Visit our class schedule and registration page.

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Second Beat Improv Theater
1130 E Missouri Ave Ste 590
Phoenix AZ 85014

Use the 1110 E Missouri entrance
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602-644-1365

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