So you've signed up for your first improv retreat at Chara Community. Maybe you're excited, maybe you're nervous, maybe both. Here's what actually happens when you arrive at our 18 acres in Georgia.
Friday Evening: Arrival
Most retreats start Friday evening around 5 PM. You'll drive down a long driveway through the woods until you see Clio House, the main retreat house. Park anywhere near the entrance - we're informal here.
Someone will meet you and show you to your room. You'll be staying in either Clio House with most of the group, or in one of the smaller cabins on the property (yes, all the buildings are named after pets who've passed - there's even an RV called ET's Home).
The rooms are simple but comfortable. Get settled, meet your roommates, and make yourself at home. Some people will be prepping food in the kitchen. Others might already be exploring the barn or walking by the lake.
Friday night is casual. The barn has board games, pool, karaoke, a big-screen TV, and space to just hang out. This is when you meet the other participants - usually 8 to 15 people. Small enough that everyone gets attention, large enough that you're not trapped with just one scene partner all weekend.
Saturday and Sunday: The Work Days
The weekend has a rhythm:
Morning: Optional yoga for improv at 8 AM (Hatha-based, focused on breathwork and creating space in the body). Breakfast at 9:15 in Clio House. Then some free time to walk by the lake, visit the cat sanctuary, or just sit quietly before the day's work begins.
10 AM to 1 PM: First improv session in the barn with the guest teacher. This is concentrated work - three hours of exercises, games, and exploration. The barn has a stage, comfortable seating, and enough space to move.
1 PM to 2 PM: Lunch in Clio House. Communal meals. Simple food. Time to process what you're learning.
2 PM to 5 PM: Second session. More work, deeper exploration. By now the group has developed its own rhythm.
Evening: Dinner at 6:30 PM, then the barn opens up again for jamming, music, games, or whatever the group wants to do.
What Makes These Retreats Different
Most improv intensives operate at high energy - lots of volume, lots of speed, constant "yes and!" pushing forward. That works for some people. It exhausts others.
At Chara Community, the pace is different. Teachers are encouraged to slow down, to let people think, to make space for reflection. We value precision over energy. Clarity over intensity.
This doesn't mean the work is easy. It means the work is deliberate.
The land itself plays a role. Between sessions, you can walk. The property has trails, a lake, open fields. Some people use this time to process what they're learning. Others just need to be outside.
There's also a cat sanctuary on the property - 17 rescued cats who live in a fenced area. You're welcome to visit them anytime (just ask someone to unlock the gate). They're used to strangers and generally friendly.
The Unexpected Moments
Some of the best parts of these retreats happen off-script.
Past retreats have featured impromptu karaoke nights that turned into hours of laughter and surprising vocal discoveries. One retreat spawned "DasDuo" - when Abel and Daniel grabbed the drums in the barn and created an absurdly funny bit that had everyone crying with laughter.
There's often an impromptu show on Saturday where people try out what they've learned. It's low-stakes, high-fun, and completely optional.
The barn becomes its own kind of creative playground in the evenings - sometimes it's board games and pool, sometimes it's jamming and music, sometimes it's just sitting around talking about improv and life with people who get it.
Sunday Wrap-Up
Sunday follows the same rhythm - yoga, breakfast, morning session, lunch, afternoon session. Dinner timing is flexible depending on when people need to leave.
You're welcome to stay as late as you like. Some people leave right after dinner. Others hang out into the evening. You can invite friends or family to join for Sunday dinner if you want.
There's usually no formal "showing" or performance. The focus is on learning and practice, not proving what you've learned.
The Practical Details
What to bring:
- Comfortable clothes you can move in
- Layers (Georgia weather is unpredictable)
- Towels (we have some but bring your own to be safe)
- Extra blankets if you run cold (houses are heated to 70°F)
- Water bottle
- Notebook if you like to take notes
- Any drinks or snacks you love (we provide basics)
- BYOB if you drink - we'll have some wine but bring your favorites
Weather: We're prepared for whatever happens. The barn has a covered stage and climate control. If it rains, umbrellas are available for the short walk between buildings.
Dietary needs: Let us know in advance and we'll accommodate what we can. Some situations might require you bringing alternatives - we'll work it out.
Who This Is For
These retreats welcome:
- Beginners seeking a supportive introduction to improv
- Experienced improvisers looking to deepen their practice
- Writers and actors exploring embodiment and character
- Anyone who values quality teaching and thoughtful exploration
We host excellent teachers from diverse backgrounds and approaches. What unifies the work is respect for craft and attention to the learner. Some teachers work fast and playful, others slow and reflective - but all create space for genuine learning.
Pricing and Value
Weekend retreats typically run around $400-500 per person (with Early Bird discounts available when you book and pay deposit within the announced period), which includes:
- Two nights lodging in our retreat houses
- All meals - healthy, hearty, delicious vegetarian and pescatarian options
- Full workshop instruction with guest teachers
- Access to 18 acres including trails, lake, barn, and cat sanctuary
- Optional extras: horseback riding with our neighbor, fishing in nearby ponds, visiting the sheep behind the house
This is significantly less than most retreat centers charge for comparable experiences. Our focus is on making quality improv education accessible, not on luxury resort pricing. You're getting intensive learning, great food, beautiful land, and genuine community without the markup.
(We offer discounts for repeat attendees too - because we love seeing familiar faces return.)
What People Say
We've hosted five retreats so far, and many attendees have returned for their second, third, or fourth visit. That says something about the experience.
What keeps people coming back isn't just the teaching - it's the feeling. There's a genuine sense of connection and community that forms over the weekend. People describe feeling deeply seen, welcomed, and safe to explore. The love and care in the space is palpable.
It's the combination of excellent teaching, beautiful land, good food, and people who genuinely love improv and each other. There's time to explore, space to think, and room to just be human together. It's not rushed. It's not performative. It's about doing good work with good people in a space that holds you.
Multiple attendees have said these retreats were truly amazing experiences - not just for what they learned about improv, but for how it felt to be part of something real.
Ready to Join Us?
Chara Community offers multiple ways to engage with improv and writing:
Retreats - Weekend intensives like the one described here, hosted throughout the year with different guest teachers. Each focuses on a specific area: musical improv, character work, scene structure, or other approaches.
Saturday Workshops - Single-day intensives for those who can't commit to a full weekend. Learn from excellent teachers without the overnight stay.
Studios - Ongoing classes in improv and writing for those who want to build skills over time through regular practice.
Creative Stays - Solo retreats for writers, artists, and creatives who need uninterrupted time and space to work on their own projects.
All share the same foundation: quality teaching, genuine community, and a space where you can explore, grow, and connect with people who love creative work as much as you do.
Check our calendar for upcoming offerings, or DM us on Instagram (@characommunityretreats) with questions. We'd love to welcome you.
Links:
- Full calendar: characommunity.com/calendar
- Instagram: @characommunityretreats
- Email: [email protected]
Interested in an Improv Retreat?
View our upcoming retreat schedule or get in touch to learn more.