At BIF week (14th to 20th of March), you don’t have to decide - here, all three workshops are included in the program. Also, you can see all shows of the IMPRO during these eight days, participate in the panel-discussion and of course, get a personal feedback of one of the workshop instructors.
BIF week workshops
All BIF week workshops are held in English, with a maximum of 12 participants.
Basic skills in improvisation are necessary, preferably a minimum of two years of improv experience.
Workshop place tbd.
14
March 2016
Monday
4 pm
Welcome-Meeting at Ratibor
Welcome-Meeting (Ratibor Theatre) with Coffee & Cake to get information, festival-passes and to know each other.
8 pm
Show of IMPRO 2016
Choose from one of several festival shows
15
March 2016
Tuesday
12 pm - 3 pm
Workshop
Limitations with Rama Nicholas
4pm
Improvisational city exploration
8 pm
Show of IMPRO 2016
Choose from one of several festival shows
16
March 2016
Wednesday
12 pm - 3 pm
Workshop
Limitations with Rama Nicholas
8 pm
Show of IMPRO 2016
Choose from one of several festival shows
17
March 2016
Thursday
12 pm - 3 pm
Workshop
Politics with Lucien Bourjeily
8 pm
Show of IMPRO 2016
Choose from one of several festival shows
18
March 2016
Friday
12 pm - 3 pm
Workshop
Politics with Lucien Bourjeily
4 pm
Panel
about politics in improv
8 pm
Show of IMPRO 2016
Choose from one of several festival shows
19
March 2016
Saturday
12 pm - 3 pm
Workshop
Forget it! with Tess Degenstein
4 pm
Open Training
at "Die Pumpe"
8 pm
Show of IMPRO 2016
Choose from one of several festival shows
20
March 2016
Sunday
12 pm - 3 pm
Workshop
Forget it! with Tess Degenstein
4 pm
Workshop presentation
at Bühnenrausch
5:30 pm
Personal feedback
7:30 pm
Open Stage
at the Ratibor Theatre
Limitations, change and wishful thinking
Rama Nicholas, Melbourne, Australia
We all have certain limitations in our lives, some more than others. Whether they be physical, political, geographical, financial, societal, family, emotional or psychological, what ever they be, these limitations take us to a place where we might dare to wish, dream, desire and hope for change.
In this workshop Rama Nicholas helps improvisers explore the idea of what it is that makes us wish for change. The scene work will be based on real wishes and exploring the truth behind the wish and the story of the wish. By honouring the story of the wish we can create varied and interesting theatre.
The wish, the desire, the craving for change helps us explore human nature, emotionality and depth as well as the fun and fantastical. And hopefully unlock more variety in our scenes than what we thought possible - we may even unlock some of our own perceptions and limitations around what improvised theatre can be as its own art form.
with Rama Nicholas
Rama is an award winning actor-comedian, improviser, director and writer. Aside from touring her solo shows, Rama teaches and performs improvisation around the globe. She is the creator of acclaimed improvised formats such as The Wishing Tree, GypsyProv and the renowned workshop and format Close to you.
Political improvisation
Lucien Bourjeily, Beirut, Lebanon
Improvisation can be weird, funny, easy, it can have everyday topics or personal stories – but it can also be political, reflect current social and political events, develop new perspectives or alienate them. How can we let politics influence our improvisation and how do we connect it to our attitude as a performer? Or are some of the events that actually happen too complex to be improvised on stage? Lucien draws from his vast experience as an actor, writer and improviser in Lebanon, which is not only a different experience from ours in our everyday lives, but also restraint by governmental censorship of the arts.
with Lucien Bourjeily
Lucien is one of the improv-pioneers in the middle east. He doesn't only works as an author, director, actor and improv instructor in particularly difficult conditions in Lebanon, but also travels the world as an artist. He and his work was invited several times to the LIFT festival in London and he impressed the Berlin audience with his ensemble of “Improv Beirut” at the IMPRO 2014.
Forget it!
Tess Degenstein, Toronto, Canada
After participating in the workshops „Politics“ and „Limits“, which focus on the serious artistic work possible in improvisation, these two final days of BIF week concentrate on liveliness and spontaneity. Canada's Tess Degenstein (Rapid Fire Theatre, Bad Dog Theatre) aims to draw out and encourage the players' intuition, and uncensored artistic voices. The workshop emphasizes playing on impulse, and ultimately celebrates the joy in improvising in an ensemble. In „Forget it“ you are encouraged to do exactly that: forget your brain and allow the heart to speak.
with Tess Degenstein
Tess is an actor and improviser who has performed on a wide variety of stages, both nationally and internationally. In the improv universe, she is proud to be a member of the Canadian Comedy Award-nominated Bad Dog Repertory Players. She is an alumni of Edmonton’s Rapid Fire Theatre and the Canadian Improv Games. She has performed and taught in festivals internationally and guested with several companies around Toronto, including Second City. Tess' favourite place is Tempelhof.
Panel. Personal Feedback.
On Friday there will be a panel-discussion with actors of the cast of IMPRO 2016. They will discuss the chances and risks of including politics in improvisation and of course you are invited to join the discussion.
After taking the workshop there will be a possibility for you to get a personal feedback from at least one of your workshop instructor, where you can discuss further options to become a more experienced improv actor.
Costs
Registration: 335,- Euro
At the IMPRO 2016, all shows from 14th to 20th of March are included in the BIF weeks fee as listed in the program schedule above. Tickets for the other shows of IMPRO 2016 have to be purchased additionally. It is not possible to change those show dates to other dates.
Conditions for participation in the BIF week workshops
Reservation of workshop in order of registration plus receipt of payment Transfer of 50% of the workshop fee until Dec. 31st of 2015 (first come, first served!), second 50% until February 15th of 2016.
Participation in the workshops on your own risk, there is no insurance protection by Gorillas.
Rescission/refund More than 6 weeks before workshops: full refund. More than 4 weeks before workshops: 75% refund. 4-3 weeks before workshops: 50% refund. 3-2 weeks before workshops: 30% refund. 2-1 week(s) before workshops: 10% refund. Less than 7 days before workshop: no refund.