Improv This Week
ONGOING IMPROV PERFORMANCES
Something People Like
Ongoing Every Wednesday: Hosts Chad Lehrman (Last Comic Standing) and Justin Lamb (SPF7) bring a mix of comedy, short films, and music to San Francisco’s favorite comedy venue. 8pm, $8 @ The Purple Onion 140 Columbus Ave, San Francisco. For more information, go to SFstandup.com
Big City Improv
Ongoing Every Fridays: Big City Improv shows are unscripted, un-edited and created on the spot, using audience suggestions, participation and their dark and sordid lies. Every Friday night at 10:00pm The Shelton Theater, San Francisco 533 Sutter Street in Union Square. Tickets $20.00 For more information go to http://www.bigcityimprov.com
ComedySportz San Jose
Ongoing Fridays and Saturdays: The National Comedy Theatre is proud to be the home of ComedySportz, competitive, team improvisational comedy every Friday and Saturday night in beautiful San Jose! Also, check out its late night show made especially for adults! For Tickets go to http://comedysportzsanjose.com
Secret Improv Society
Every Saturdays: Edge-of-your-seat improv theater; uniquely San Francisco, completely hilarious shhhh. Don’t tell anyone. June 21st will feature Rebecca Poretsky from Big City Improv! 10PM The Shelton Theater 533 Sutter Street San Francisco. $15.00. For tickets go to http://www.secretimprovsociety.com
Stone Soup Improv
First Saturday of every month (no Show in July): Improv is live theater at its most unpredictable! Each show is different, created on-the-spot using suggestions from the audience! Oakland’s Stone Soup Improv cast members are: Adriana Russell, Dan Rosenthal, Emily Duffy, Jennifer Simmons, Jonathan Stern, and Ryan Fuller. They have performed with many local improvisational groups, including; East Bay Improv, BATS Improv and Pan Theater. Temescal Art Center, 511 48th Street (at Telegraph Avenue) in Oakland, CA Doors open at 7:30PM, Show starts at 8:00PM Admission: $9.00 General ($6.00 for students with ID and seniors) http://www.stonesoupimprov.com or info@stonesoupimprov.com for online reservations or call 415-430-5698
Blue Blanket Improv presents: “Coastside Comedy Improv”
Second Saturday of every month: A laugh-out-loud, high-energy, affordable, fun-for-the-whole-family comedy theater experience unparalleled on the coast! Blue Blanket Improv presents a new comedy improv show on the second Saturday of each month. Bring a friend or several and enjoy a night of laughs. Doors open at 7:30 PM.Time: 8:00 pm (Doors open at 7:30pm) Location: Enso 131 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay Phone: (650) 726-1409. For additional information please visit us at: http://www.BlueBlanketImprov.com
Rats In the Alley
First and Third Thursdays: The Rats in the Alley continue to bring their own aggressive style of “trial by fire” improv to the North Bay. Uncle Bongs Pizzeria’ 203 Main Street, SuiSun City, CA, 94585 Street, SuiSun City CA. FREE. http://www.ratsinthealley.com for more information and tickets.
BATS Improv
Performance Schedule Through August 2008: BATS Improv’s Main Stage Theatre Company, BATS “Sunday Stage” and Student Performing Groups Thurs-Sat Shows 8Pm. Sunday Show 7PM. Go to http://www.improv.org Performances include:
- Battle of the Bay Theatresports Every Friday and Saturday Through Aug.2: BATS’ Main Stage Company presents this year’s “Battle-of-the-Bay” Theatresports tournament. Six teams of improvisers representing some of our favorite Bay Area neighborhoods compete for NoCal bragging rights and the opportunity to play against our friends (and arch rivals) from LATS / Los Angeles Theatresports.
- Sunday Players Every Sunday Through July 27: BATS Sunday Players present short- and long-form improvised scenes using audience suggestion
IMPROV PERFORMANCE
Rover Hendrix
Monday and Tuesday starting June 23rd through July 1st Join Kurt Bodden, Michael Michalske and Colin Gage as they take you on a rapid departure of reality as you know it. “The best play I never saw happened long after my demise. Oh that Rover and his Hendrix - Mark Twain” All Shows 8PM at The Garage 975 Howard Street, SF For more information and tickets go to http://www.roverhendrix.com
Improvised Murder Mystery
Thursday June 26th Was it the chauffeur in the sauna with a snow globe? Or maybe the private yoga instructor in the drawing room with a roasted turkey. You choose the murder weapon and where the dark deed takes place but that’s just the beginning. Join the members of Go Fish as we create a classic Murder Mystery live before your eyes. Featuring the members of Go Fish! John Fitzgerald, Vincenta Licata, Ken Robertson and Toni Mazzuca, with guest players Channing Clarkson, Andrew Merit and Lisa Rowland. 8pm, Exit Theatre Stage Left 156 Eddy St. San Francisco. $10, for tickets go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/37077
The San Francisco Improv Festival 2008
Every Thursday - Saturday July 10 - August 23rd The San Francisco Improv Festival is back for its fifth year of improvisational comedy including special celebrity guests, two stages (The Union Square Stage at the SF Playhouse Stage 2 hosted by Un-Scripted Theater) with our North Beach Stage at the prestigious and legendary Purple Onion!.
Opening Weekend July 10-12
The Purple Onion
ImprovBoston (Boston, MA) & ComedySportz (San Jose, CA)
The SF Playhouse Stage 2Sponsored by Un-Scripted Theater
Un-Scripted Theater (San Francisco)& YARNS (Austin, Texas)
Long Form Weekend July 17-19
The Purple Onion
IOwest Trophy Wife (Los Angeles, CA) & The Last Performances of Revolving Madness (SF)
The SF Playhouse Stage 2 Sponsored by Un-Scripted Theater
Un-Scripted Theater (San Francisco) & Storytellers Unplugged (San Francisco)
Musical Improv July 24-26
The Purple Onion
The Uncle Ukulele Show (Minneapolis, MN)& Improv Cabaret (Orlando, Florida)
The SF Playhouse Stage 2 Sponsored by Un-Scripted Theater
Un-Scripted Theater (San Francisco) & Second Nature (University of Southern CA)
Two Person Improv July 31st – Aug 2nd
The Purple Onion
Cathcart & Olson (Chicago. Il) & Aye Diego (Boston/Los Angeles)
Genre Improv August 7th – 9th
The Purple Onion
The Election Show (Seattle, WA) & Get Up (Austin, Texas)
Battle of Sexes August 14 – 16
The Purple Onion
Silver City Pink (Los Angeles, CA) & SPF7 (San Francisco)
Race and Improv August 21st –23rd
The Purple Onion
Pale Irish Bastards and (Los Angeles, CA) & Oui Be Negroes (San Francisco)
All shows Start at 8PM
The Purple Onion is located at 140 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco (map)
The SF Playhouse Stage 2 is located
533 Sutter Avenue San Francisco 2nd Floor (map)
http://www.sfimprovfestival for the full line up and to by tickets!
For Phone Reservations call (415) 863-1076
Sponsored by The San Francisco Improv Alliance, Un-Scripted Theater, The Purple Onion, Extreme Tix, Theater Bay Area, Joive De Virve Hotels, Pyramid Beer and The Santa Cruz Improv Festival.
The Santa Cruz Improv Festival 2008
July 5th - August 3rd. Chuckle, Giggle, Belly Laugh, Snort - Add your signature laugh to the mix at The fifth annual Santa Cruz Improv Festival! The Alliance (and the San Francisco Improv Festival) is pleased to assist with the scheduling of great shows from SFIF to SCIF for It’s Sunday runs! The full list of groups performing is as follows
| Sat. | July 5 | 8 PM | Comedy Sportz * |
| Sun. | July 6 | 7 PM | Un-Scripted Theater* |
| Week Two | |||
| Fri. | July 11 | 8 PM | Scriptease |
| Sat. | July 12 | 8 PM | UmGeeUm |
| Sun. | July 13 | 7 PM | YARNS with Asaf Ronen, plus Improv Boston ** |
| Week Three | |||
| Fri. | July 18 | 8 PM | You Had to Be There |
| Sat. | July 19 | 8 PM | Funatics! |
| Sun. | July 20 | 7 PM | Irish Mutts *** |
| Week Four | |||
| Fri. | July 25 | 8 PM | Loose Cannon |
| Sat. | July 26 | 8 PM | Freefall |
| Sun. | July 27 | 7 PM | Uncle Ukulele** |
| Week Five | |||
| Fri. | August 1 | 8 PM | Six Wheel Drive |
| Sat. | August 2 | 8 PM | Stay Tuned! Improv |
| Sun. | August 3 | 7 PM | Oui Be Negroes *** (Shaun Landry B-Day Performance) |
* Ensembles part of San Francisco Improv Festival
** Ensembles performing courtesy of The San Francisco Improv Festival
*** Ensembles Part of The San Francisco Improv Alliance.
The Actors’ 1001 Center Street Santa Cruz
Headliners: $15 - Local Troupes: $10/$8 students
Call 831-425-PLAY for tickets and information
or go to the SCIF Website at http://www.santacruzimprovfest.com
IMPROV ON THE AIR IN THE BAY
Improvised Movies from barewitness films!
Barewitness is the longest San Francisco Improv Company doing completely improvised movies! Check out all of their award winning films at http://www.barewitness.com, or go to http://www.youtube.com/user/barewitnessfilms
Talk Show Live Podcast Listen to host and improvisor Kurt Bodden as he interviews the most interesting people in town in front of a live audience also listen to incredible podcast music supplied by Ned Boyton and The North Beach Irregulars with special appearances by the likes of Mel Sharpe on Trombone (from the legendary SF comedy ensemble Coyle and Sharp) http://www.talkshowsf.com
Cassandra Call Productions: Cassandra Call brings you Radio Star Podcasts (Where every show is completely improvised and recorded in a single take and podcast every Wednesday)! To hear Radiostar Podcasts go to http://www.radiostarnetwork.com/
IMPROV BOOKS
The Improv Playbook
A must have for everyone who performers improv. Over 370 Improv Games collected over 20 years of improv play from the one of the Founders of BATS Improv, San Francisco, William Hall. This is the book you’ve been waiting for. For a table of contents and to purchase this book, please to to http://www.fratellibologna.com/NewPages/The_Playbook.html
How to Improvise a Full-Length Play
Forget the script and get on the stage! In How to Improvise a Full-Length Play, actors, playwrights, directors, theater-group leaders, and teachers will find everything they need to know to create comedy, tragedy, melodrama, and farce, with no scripts, no scenarios, and no preconceived characters. Author Kenn Adams (SF Synergy Theater) presents a step-by-step method for long-form improvisation, covering plot structure, storytelling, character development, symbolism, and advanced scene work. For more information on this improvisational book or to purchase, go to http://www.Amazon.com!
IMPROV CLASSES
Interplay Improv Classes
Ongoing Classes: These classes are a great way to access improvisational movement, voice and story. No experience required, all ages and abilities welcome! It’s easy to learn the simple forms of InterPlay. If you are new you can catch on as you go. Anyone can do it! Engage mind, body, heart, and spirit in an affirming, fun-loving practice with great teachers. There are six opportunities each week to drop-in to an InterPlay class.
- Mondays 10:30 am-12:00 pm
InterPlay Women’s Group with Penny Mann and Susan Main - Tuesdays 6-7:30 pm
with Elizabeth Mendana - Wednesdays 10:30 am-12:00 pm
with Michelle Jordan - Wednesdays 7:30-9:00 pm with
Cynthia Winton-Henry and Soyinka Rahim - Thursdays 7-8:30 pm
InterPlay for Men with Theron Shaw - Fridays 10:30-12:00 pm with
Cynthia Winton-Henry
Classes are $15 single/ $48 for 4/ $90 for 10 All classes happen at Interplay: 2273 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, 94612 (just a few blocks from 19th Street BART) For more information check out http://www.interplay.org or call 510-465-2797.
SF Comedy College School of Improv
Ongoing Classes: By blending emphasis on storytelling and strong scene work with the essentials of comedic theory and performance technique, The School of Improv classes offer a unique perspective on improv for performers at all levels that you won’t find anywhere else. E-mail sfccimprov@yahoo.com or Call 205.602.6342 to register.
Saturday Drop In Improv Class
Ongoing Saturdays: This Drop-in improv is a really fun class and a very welcoming group. It’s not clique-y. Newcomers are always welcome. If you come to class, you have to participate. Sorry, no voyeurs! The class is made up of comics, actors, improvisers, and just generally people who like to play. The laugh quotient is high! All ages welcome. This class was taught by Jim Cranna for 25 years! 1-4pm Fort Mason Bldg C, either Room #230 or 235 (depending on the week). Check the board outside each room’s door to see which room the class will be in. http://www.fortmason.org/directions/index.shtml for directions! Fee (per class): $10
Laughing Stock Free Improvisational Fund & Games Workshops
Living with, working with, or know someone with cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, kidney disease or other life-threatening illness? Need some great laughs? Stuck in a rut? Like an excuse to get out of the house? Looking to meet new people (real or imaginary)? Shy, or just want to plain feel better about yourself? Care to laugh with, or amuse others Then come join this FUN, unique, community service program of BATS IMPROV’s School of Improvisation, now in it’s ninth year of celebrating the hidden creativity and joy in us all. Note: This is neither stand-up comedy, nor drama-therapy. For more information contact LaughingStock@improv.org. Classes include:
Saturday Afternoons Workshops
1:00 - 3:30 p.m. Workshops
held at S.F.’s CPMC Davies campus Gazebo Room.
These free ‘comedy’ classes open to the above, their care partners/intimates as well as those working/volunteering for organizations in this health care services area. Free garage parking. The Gazebo is wheelchair accessible. MUNI N street car to Noe Street; 24 or 37 bus lines to Castro & 14th Streets. Free snacks and beverages provided courtesy of BATS IMPROV Board of Directors. Wear loose, comfortable clothes for movement.
BATS Improv School:
Whether you’re an actor working to enhance your performance skills or someone who thinks that improv just looks like fun, BATS Improv has a class for you. New workshops, designed for a variety of skill levels, start each month, year-round. For more information on class schedule go to http://www.improv.org/school/index.htm
Synergy Theater Classes
Check Synergy Theater’s Round of eight week classes each month with teacher and improviser Kenn Adams! For more information and pricing go to http://www.synergy-theater.com/Classes/class.htm
EAST BAY IMpRoV Classes
Our workshops are an easy, laugh-out-loud way to become more self-confident, creative and spontaneous. All experience levels are welcome, from zero to hero. Our expert instructors/performers tailor their feedback to your level of experience. Each 4-week session is different. Many of our students come back month after month, year after year. Come and play with us in a fun and supportive environment. If you start now just think how good you’ll be by next session! 510-524-9283 or 510-964-0571. You can also go online to http://www.eastbayimprov.com
Workshops with Joya Cory
A unique approach that unlocks your larger self, enabling you to access the unfettered, daring self-of-all-possibilities. Taught in a supportive atmosphere, this training releases powerful creative energy, imagination and natural spontaneity. Beyond comedy “Improv”, Full Spectrum training activates full emotional and physical range to create Improvisational Theatre of authenticity and substance, as well as joyful, intoxicating play. You’ll strengthen your presence, learn to trust your intuition and develop confidence and ease. Includes expressive movement and voice, theatre games, storytelling, acting technique and taming the inner critic. Deep Fun!
Ongoing classes in San Francisco:
- (Intermediate/ Advanced)
Shotwell Studio, 3252 19th St.
Saturdays 2-4:30 p.m
Four classes $120. Try your first class for $20.
- (Beginner/ Intermediate)
St John’s Church , Arguello and Lake Streets
Wednesdays, 7- 9:30 p.m. Resumes MARCH 19
Four classes $120. Try your first class for $20.
For more information on classes go to http://www.joyacory.com or 415-564-4115
Next Stage Theater Marcia Kimmell Classes:
Director, Marcia Kimmell founded The Next Stage in 1979. She was a student of Viola Spolin at the Second City in Chicago. Spolin created “Theater Games” and was mother of the improvisational theater movement in the US. The Next Stage Theater 1620 Gough Street (at Bush) San Francisco Call 415-826-6505 or email mailto:marciakimmell@sbcglobal.net. For more info online go to http://www.sillyzen.com
