Hero's Journey Class

On December 10, 2011. Peter More (of easylaughs and the Ad Libertines) gave a presentation-style workshop on the Hero's Journey. The workshop was attended by a nicely mixed group of people with a variety of experience in the Hero's Journey. The workshop covered the core concept of the the Journey and went on to discuss how it can be used within improvised stories. The workshop was part of a sponsorship deal with Ad Libertines a new narrative-based group that will reform in 2012.

"It was a wonderful workshop!!" - Mariette

Playing with Reality in Amsterdam

Myself, along with fellow company members Carolyn McCandlish, Jennifer Kent & Julio Peña, were in town last week to conduct our interactive performance workshops. Our style of performance invites onto the stage a member of the audience to portray the protagonist of an improvised narrative. Utilizing several techniques and concepts, we create a safe space for the participant to make bold choices and fight for their beliefs, all while creating a cohesive story for the viewing audience.

Our level 1 workshop took place over 2 days – Saturday, 29 October, and Sunday, the 30th. We had 6 attendees who worked wonderfully as a team and learned the tools we could share. At the end of the second day, they gave a performance for the public, which was also streamed live for everyone to see. In case you missed it, you can watch the recording here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/18214885. After only 12 hours of training, they did an exceptional job, and we’re proud of their work.

The level 2 workshop was condensed to a 3-hour session on Wednesday, 2 November. With 2 new attendees and 2 attendees from the level 1 workshop, we were able to impart a handful of skills that we use to understand how the participant wants to play and how to challenge them. All attendees seem to have gained valuable tools from the session.

Our goal for these workshops was to teach some of our skills, and, while the attendees may not dive into the world of interactive performance, they can at least transfer some of them to their work in improvisation and performance. From talking with the attendees afterwards, it sounds like they’re able to do exactly that.

We were also fortunate enough to perform in the second slot of easylaughs’ Friday show at CREA Café. It was a full house, and the workshop attendees came to support us.

We returned home to New York this past weekend with pride in our work and confidence in what we taught. Thank you to All Improv for giving us this opportunity. We hope to return soon!

Shea Elmore
Director
Playing with Reality


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Playing with Reality
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https://www.fracturedatlas.org/donate/4552
Playing with Reality is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of Playing with Reality must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Patti Stiles' Workshop Notes

Thanks for supporting Patti Stiles' workshops in Amsterdam.

I will not need the full allocated support cause the workshop filled up completely.
I'll send a (little) donation request separately by e-mail.

I am now sending you my entry for the blog:


Patti Stiles: she made us look and feel good!

Canadian (now Australian) improv goddess Patti Stiles has been trained by Keith Johnstone and this was obvious in the 2 workshops she taught in Amsterdam. A lot of Keiths motto's have been misinterpreted over the years, and she has set them straight. This may sound very strict, but Patti is a wonderful person, breathing all improv principles and opening up many new possibilities.

The most impactful day was the second one, especially for improv teachers. She showed us how we hover around what is really important: the motto of Make your partner look good. All improv principles like Yes And, being Aware, etc. derive from that basic motto. Which is more than just a t-shirt motto! We talked about the fact that forbidding players to block, stall, whimp, etc. does not make their fear go away. The fear will come back at other levels.

If you truly want to take their fear away, you need them to start focussing on the other player. If you are making your partner look good, you are not in your head with your own fear.

This, and so many other insights, were the result of Patti's workshop. We hope the new values will quickly spread to the Dutch improv society!

Anja Boorsma
Far Fetched Productions

5-day intensive Clown and Acting Workshop

We're excited to announce a 5-day intensive Clown and Acting Workshop in Amsterdam given by Ira Seidenstein as part of his 2011 European tour. This workshop is sponsored by Allimprov.

Who: Ira Seidenstein, M.A., PhD (Cirque du Soleil, Bell Shakespeare Company, Opera Australia) is an American/Australian director of theatre, circus, clown,and commedia with over 35 years of experience in these fields. He has worked in over 100 theatre productions often combining work as director, playwright, actor, and choreographer. He uses skills of classical acting, dance, mime, singing, and circus and has worked with over 100 directors in Stage and Screen. Internationally he has one of the most varied careers in the world of Clown, having worked in classical theatre, circus, dance, opera, commedia dell’arte. He has taught throughout Australia and internationally in Auckland, Belfast, Berlin, Copenhagen, Helsinki, London, New York, Oslo, Paris, San Francisco and Stockholm. For further information, see www.iraseid.com.

What: Ira has developed the Seidenstein Method known as Quantum Theatre which is a series of anatomical movements designed to assist actors and improvisers (professional, veteran, or novice) to awaken within their own body, intellect, consciousness, and through creative play. In very practical ways, the Seidenstein Method is like the yoga of acting. It is unique and adaptable; it applies to all performances, from slapstick to Shakespeare.

Ira will teach his method during the 5-day intensive workshop. It will include "The Four Articulations" which form the basics of all performance: Body, Space, Time, Time-Space Continuum. The students will discover whole new worlds of creativity, inspiration, and true drama, via the work of their bodies.

When: Sunday 6 November to Thursday 10 November 2011, 10.00am to 4.00pm

Where: Crea Studios, Turfdraagsterpad 17, Amsterdam.

Cost: €300 per person.

Registration: Send an e-mail to peter@easylaughs.nl. Spaces are limited and allocated on a first-in-first-serve basis.

Playing with Reality - This Month in Amsterdam

I feel like this sort of “playing” could be addictive.
– Rosabeth, voluntary participant

Interactive Performance Workshops
Conducted by New York’s Playing with Reality (www.playingwithreality.org)

Led by founder & director, Shea Elmore, Playing with Reality will conduct two 12-hour sequential workshops in
Amsterdam for improvisers and actors alike. Workshops are being offered at a fraction of the regular price.

I have been an improviser for nine years and am struck by the unique depth and meaning created
through this form; it has redefined for me what is possible in improv.
- Amanda Miller, inter-actor

You will learn how to:
* read and respond to a participant’s “type”
* create characters that build instant rapport with participants
* avoid the three most common mistakes of interactive performance

Like acting on a high wire, this work demands of me more energy, focus, and sheer faith than any other
kind of performance.
- Sarah-Doe Osborne, inter-actor

Level 1 Class (Maximum 12 Attendees)
The Level 1 Class is geared towards actors and new improvisers. Participants will learn basic improvisation and
interactive techniques. The focus of our work isn’t necessarily to be funny, so you’ll get plenty experience on
being “boring”. We strive to create full stories, and your storytelling techniques can only grow from here.
Cost: 50 euros
Class Schedule: 29 Oct: 10am-1pm, 2-5pm; 30 Oct: 10am-1pm, 2-5pm
Class Performance, Sunday, 30 Oct: 7-8:30pm
Class & Performance Location: Talia (www.i-talia.net), Prinsenstraat 12, 1015 DC Amsterdam

Level 2 Class (Maximum 12 Attendees)
You succeed in the basic tenets on a consistent basis. You’re ready for some new challenges in the craft. Sign up. You’ll
learn how to work with some of the most challenging participants and turn them into stellar improvisers in a matter
of minutes. You’ll know how to challenge participants without breaking their spirits. You’ll feel the satisfaction of
empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.
Cost: 50 euros
Class Schedule: 31 Oct – 3 Nov: 6-9pm
Class Performance, 4 Nov: 7-8:30pm
Class & Performance Location: Talia (www.i-talia.net), Prinsenstraat 12, 1015 DC Amsterdam

To apply, write to info@playingwithreality.org.
Include a cover letter and CV, and for which level you’re applying.

Playing with Reality invites audience volunteers to play the lead role and co-create the story. Imagine a choose-your-

own-adventure story, created on the spot, which anyone can live. Playing with Reality has held multiple productions
and workshops, including a workshop for easylaughs (www.easylaughs.nl) and a solo inter-actor performance by Shea
Elmore in Amsterdam, The Choices We Make. The upcoming workshops are made possible in part by a grant from All
Improv (www.allimprov.nl).

Patti Styles in Amsterdam

There's a first time for everything: Patti Stiles in Amsterdam

A couple of years ago when I was at an International Improv Festival in Leuven (Belgium), I took a workshop from Patti Stiles.
And this was such a delight, really. This woman just breaths improv. So kind, open, warm, flexible, authentic. She is one of those people that has a Yes And radiation.

Furthermore, she taught me a lot of games I didn't know. And this has unfortunately become a unique situation, as I have spoiled myself with so many Far Fetched workshops that I hardly get Really Fresh Inspiration.

Well, Really Fresh Inspiration is what I got in Leuven. Patti was trained by Keith Johnstone in his Loose Moose Theatre (Calgary, Canada) and she uses a lot of exercises in his style. Really fun to do and watch.

So... I kept Patti on my wishing list for Far Fetched Productions and this fall I'll finally manage to get her to Amsterdam. As I can absolutely not afford a flight ticket from Australia (not even with the help of All Improv ;), I had to wait for her to visit Europe anyway. She will now be at a German festival and travel to Amsterdam by train. So, not even jetlagged! Couldn't be better.

The two workshops she will be teaching were fully booked within 6 days. Surprisingly I was not happy, cause I felt terrible to have to disappoint all those who where too late and are now on the waiting list. Especially Peter More from Easylaughs, who wrote me that Patti was one of his early teachers. But even though Peter is in the committee of All Improv that decides on upcoming grants, I had to put him on the waiting list too... Hope I won't regret that.

Will write about how the workshops turned out afterwards!


Anja Boorsma
Far Fetched Productions

De wolven komen...

Na twee succesvolle weerwolf-voorstellingen in het Crea-Theater vonden wij van improvisatiegroep Placebo het de hoogste tijd voor Weerwolven in het Wild. Een unieke voorstelling: een combinatie van improvisatietheater, het spel Weerwolven van Wakkerdam en dat op een toepasselijke, sfeervolle locatie. Met steun van All Improv gaan we dit project realiseren. Vrijdag 15 juli en zaterdag 16 juli trekken we het bos in, op wolvenjacht.

Inmiddels zitten we tot onze nek in de voorbereidingen: locaties, vergunningen, overleg met de plaatselijke camping en scoutingvereniging, financiering, theaterbeeld, stroomvoorziening, broedende vogels en vooral heel veel belemmerende regeltjes waar we rekening mee moeten houden. We zullen jullie niet vermoeien met alle beslommeringen. Het enige dat we zeggen is: het gaan ons lukken. Kom kijken en beleef het met ons mee!

In dit filmpje zie je ons opzoek naar de juiste locatie:


Meer informatie: www.weerwolveninhetwild.nl

Rob Reese Workshop Report

On Saturday 5 February, Rob Reese (experienced improv coach and director, trained in Chicago now based in New York, Artistic Director of Amnesia Wars) ran an afternoon workshop for 16 people.

The workshop opened with exercises focused on establishing as immediately as possible the "who" and the "where". The lion's share of the workshop involved the participants performing open scenes. Rob gave insightful feedback on each of these scenes, analysing what made one scene work and caused another to struggle. He passed on invaluable tips on things that you can do to help yourself and your partner in a scene (define who and where asap, give yourself a repetitive movement you can go back to, catch the game and augment it, for example), and on traps to avoid (getting into negotiating over facts, teaching, arguing for example). Rob is a perceptive, gracious, fun, and inspiring coach. If only he lived in the original Amsterdam instead of the new.

De Eskimo's

De Eskimo's is een experimentele mengvorm van pure improvisatie en meer klassieke theatrale elementen. Het experiment bestaat eruit te onderzoeken hoe het drama fris blijft, maar dat de scene wel inhoudelijk wordt uitgediept.
De Eskimo's werken in ieder geval met een gerenommeerde toneelschrijver. Zo kan het zijn dat de schrijver de acteurs een week voor de voorstelling, de opdracht geeft zich te verdiepen in een personage. De te spelen situatie tussen de personages wordt dan pas vlak voor het optreden aan de spelers en het publiek door de schrijver onthuld.

Maar het kan ook zo zijn dat zowel de personages als de situatie pas tijdens het optreden uit de doeken worden gedaan. Alles is mogelijk en niets moet bij de Eskimo's!

De speler is als een Eskimo die met weinig middelen zich ten overstaan van het publiek in het diepe gooit, in de hoop op een goede vangst.

De Eskimo’s is een initiatief van Patrick Sins en Maurice van Turnhout.
Verder werken mee: Annemarie Brijder, Lotte Gerritsjans, Marc van Dijk, Bart Danon, Daan Vennix, Dieter Camps en Frank Roumen

De Eskimo’s is in elk geval te zien op:

Donderdag 2 juni op het Scagon eenakterfestival te Schagen, vanaf 11.30 uur
Scagontheater
Tel: 0224-297978/06-12988666
Entreeprijs 10 euro

Zaterdag 4 juni op het Nanook Nono eenakterfestival vanaf 20.00 uur in De Theatergarage, Borgerhout, België
Reserveren:
06 467 467 63
Entreeprijs 10 euro

29 en 30 oktober op het Cameleon eenakterfestival, De Cameleon, Amsterdam
tijden volgen nog

Mede mogelijk gemaakt door AllImprov

Ira Seidenstein's 5-Day Clown & Acting Workshop Report

As part of his 2011 European tour, Ira ran a 5-day intensive clown and acting workshop attended by six people of varying levels of improv experience.

It was a process of discovering one’s body, remaining aware of it, and using it fully. Each day we discovered new things about the way we engage our bodies. On day five we were aware of things that we would never have perceived on the first days.

The days were structured in generally the same way: every morning we would work through a series of physical exercises designed by Ira (in 1976) known as the core mechanics. Then we would work through another series of creative physical exercises designed to explore feelings and energy discovered when we “listened to” and moved our bodies in a certain way. We can all now practice these physical exercises ourselves on a daily basis.

In the afternoons, we performed exercises based on the work of some of the great clowns: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance, Josephine Baker. These exercises were simple yet profound. Amidst much struggle we each caught moments of magic.

This was not like other workshops I have been to; this was like training. When we got up to do the clown exercises it was not a casual affair like “oh I will see how it feels and give it a try”. Ira worked it so that each exercise felt precious, like it was the last, and could not possibly be wasted on half-ass attempts. We were inspired to give it all every time; that was the only way to make breakthroughs, to discover more vital ways of being. Needless to say, we all slept like babies on brandy that week.

Here are comments from the other participants:

“Five days with Ira was extraordinary, challenging and inspiring. His method offers a systematic and technical approach to how an actor can begin physical work and performance immediately, through a simple daily practice.”

“I knew it would be good for me, but it was actually fantastic for making me more aware and in control of my body. I thought 5 days would be more than enough, but it was only after 4.5 that I was really starting to get the hang of it. I felt a door had been opened and I would love to explore what's in there much, much more. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn to be aware and control their body on stage and avoid being just another static, floppy-armed, "blah-blah-blah" sort of improviser.”

“intense and exhausting in a very good way. This was a crash course on using and being aware of how my body moves. I'm very happy I did the workshop...I would do it again.”

“Ira opened a door for a better understanding of the physical aspects in acting and clowning. Though defending and promoting his approach, it should be seen as a starting point for everybody who seeks new ways and challenges. With direct and sometimes harsh feedback he kept the tension on a high level so that everybody became aware of his or her mistakes. It was a great experience with a great group and a great teacher. In short: I love clowning.”

“The intensive clown and acting workshop was a powerful experience for me. These past 5 days have enabled me to achieve a greater comfort level in expressing myself physically and also allowing myself to move in more expressive ways. In addition to body awareness, I also learned about core mechanics that provide my body with energy, and I will continue to practice these movements. I will take what I’ve learned and experienced and continue to practice it in my improvisation, especially the act of sending my partner energy in a scene.”

Ira plans to run further workshops in Amsterdam, possibly in November 2011 and probably in March 2012. They will be advertised on www.easylaughs.nl.

Playing with your body, workshop report

William Dashwood gave a three hour workshop for eleven improvisers about techniques and insights from the mime of Decroux and Marceau that we can use in improv scenes.

We pushed invisible supermarket trollies, expressed emotions while reaching for imaginary packets and tins from a supermarket. We experienced how posture and eye contact influences our status, played psychic kung fu, opened doors super convincingly, took tram rides on a wobbly tram while hanging on to the safety bars. And two participants got to make the scariest cup of tea they have ever made in their lives.

After the workshop several people were asking "I want more! When is the next workshop?"

Thanks William Dashwood, I hope you'll give another workshop soon.

Tim Orr Workshops Report

Well, Tim has left Holland after an intensive two weeks full of workshops…

Having taken four of them, I feel fully inspired and regarding the messages on Facebook I am not the only one. By now everyone that took a class is probably suddenly LOUD and CLEAR. Or at least trying to be so. I am really looking forward to use as much of the stuff I´ve learned in my regular training and I hope so do you.

Thanks to everyone who took a workshop: for subscribing and entering so enthusiastically. For showing up on time (well, mostly) for supporting the other participants even though you didn’t know him or her. For allowing them even to hit you or kiss you (physicality workshop), pursue you or wrongly endow you, or blow you into space….

And thanks Tim for so energetically inspiring us, even though we laid out a killing schedule. We had a good time!


Good luck with all your Improv Activities!


Anke Wijnja

On behalf of FarFetched Productions

5-day intensive Clown and Acting Workshop

We're excited to announce a 5-day intensive Clown and Acting Workshop in Amsterdam given by Ira Seidenstein as part of his 2011 European tour. This workshop is sponsored and made possible by Allimprov.

Who: Ira Seidenstein, M.A., PhD (Cirque du Soleil, Bell ShakespeareCompany, Opera Australia) is an American/Australian director of theatre, circus, clown,and commedia with over 35 years of experience in these fields. He has worked in over 100 theatre productions often combining work as director, playwright, actor, and choreographer. He uses skills of classical acting, dance, mime, singing, and circus and has worked with over 100 directors in Stage and Screen. Internationally he has one of the most varied careers in the world of Clown, having worked in classical theatre, circus, dance, opera, commedia dell’arte. He has taught throughout Australia and internationally in Auckland, Belfast, Berlin, Copenhagen, Helsinki, London, New York, Oslo, Paris, San Francisco and Stockholm. For further information, see www.iraseid.com.

What: Ira has developed the Seidenstein Method known as Quantum Theatre which is a series of anatomical movements designed to assist actors and improvisers (professional, veteran, or novice) to awaken within their own body, intellect, consciousness, and through creative play. In very practical ways, the Seidenstein Method is like the yoga of acting. It is unique and adaptable; it applies to all performances, from slapstick to Shakespeare. Ira will teach his method during the 5-day intensive workshop. It will include "The Four Articulations" which form the basics of all performance: Body, Space, Time, Time-Space Continuum. The students will discover whole new worlds of creativity, inspiration, and true drama, via the work of their bodies. It is possible that a student performance will be organised following the workshop (to be confirmed).

When: Sunday 1 May to Thursday 5 May 2011, 9.30am to 4.00pm.
Where: Crea Studios, Turfdraagsterpad 17, Amsterdam.
Cost: €400 per person.
Registration: Send an e-mail to sarah@easylaughs.nl.
Spaces are limited and allocated on a first-in-first-serve basis.

4 april: Tim Orr komt eraan!

Nog even en Tim zit op het vliegtuig, op weg naar Amsterdam. Anja en ik zijn druk bezig met de laatste voorbereidingen voor de workshops. Maakt dat ik er extra zin in krijg!
Vooral nu Tim van het weekend de hand-outs stuurde die bij sommige workshops horen. Het komt allemaal opeens heel dichtbij.

Bij het lezen ervan werd het me ook weer eens duidelijk hoeveel ambacht er eigenlijk zit in èchte goede impro. Bijvoorbeeld alleen al in het goed mimen wat je aan het doen bent. Wat je beet hebt en hoe je het hanteert. Het helemaal voor je zien, inclusief het gewicht ervan, de textuur. Hoe gaat het open of aan, hoe beweegt het. Dat is oefenen, oefenen en nog eens oefenen. Naast heel goed kijken in het dagelijks leven èn het een keer zien en doen met iemand die dat heel goed kan. En zo iemand is Tim, hij kan je als kijker doen vergeten dat je naar een ‘leeg’ toneel zit te kijken. Soms laat hij je zelfs vergeten dat je in het theater bent... En dan wordt Impro opeens magisch.

Tot die tijd zit er voor mij niets anders op dan te oefenen, oefenen en te oefenen.
Met veel plezier, dat in elk geval. Tot op de workshops!

Anke Wijnja – FarFetched Productions.
meer info over de workshops: www.farfetchedproductions.nl

More content coming soon

We're kickstarting the allimprov blog. With more contributers and more news from the improv scene in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands.