ImprovCityFest
WORKSHOPS
This workshop will focus on emotions and movement and how connecting the two gives your characters roundness and purpose. Instantly make scenes more dynamic and interesting. You know the old adage "show don't tell"? This workshop will give you some tools to do that. Learn how to avoid talking heads scenes with minimal physical effort.
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Let's create comedy with a message! Improv duo Mirage Thrams (Second City, Affirmative Reaction) and Michael Sielaff (Laughtivism LA, WASP) will be teaching how to create social commentary in your improv, sketches, stand-up, writing, storytelling, and any other comedic medium. This workshop will consist of writing, improv, and storytelling exercises as well as conversation on how we can find the funny without compromising the integrity and seriousness of the issue (i.e. sexism, racism, homophobia, ageism, xenophobia, narcissism, judgement, etc). No need to preach, let's refocus our comedic minds to create honest and funny moments that get our audience to think. Be prepared to get vulnerable. Let's challenge AND comfort the crowd!
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You've heard about the Game of the Scene, but what is it? You know what it is, but can't find it? This workshop can help! Shulie Cowen (Director, Opening Night: The Improvised Musical!) will break down the Game of the Scene for you and give you some ways to find it, play it, and have fun!
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Discover the art of blending comedy and drama in this engaging workshop. Participants will learn how to create well-rounded scenes by embracing both the humorous and the emotional aspects of improv. We will explore techniques for building genuine connections between characters, navigating the delicate balance between laughter and drama, and bringing authenticity to your on-stage moments.
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This workshop is all about teaching you the art of making strong character choices at the top of the scene.
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Designed to push you beyond your comfort zone, this workshop revolves around exercises that prepare you for those on-stage moments when uncertainty looms. Whether it's navigating unfamiliar suggestions or unraveling scenes, this session will explore tactics to play to the top of your intelligence, even when knowledge feels elusive. Discover methods to exude confidence in the face of challenges, ensuring you keep scenes moving forward without having to play “the dumb guy” as a defense mechanism.
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ImprovCityFest Instructor Bios
Mike Eserkaln has been performing and teaching improvisational comedy for 30 years. He has performed all over the nation, and has done a tour of military bases in Iraq. He is the owner of ComedyCity in De Pere, WI, and teaches corporate team-building with On The Job Improv.
Mirage Thrams is an award-winning cinematographer and director known for her work on “It’s Not Funny”, “Shade, The Musical” ”The Revolution Will Not Be Improvised”, "Affirmative Reaction," ( an all-black female-led show), and "The Regina Kings."
Michael J. Sielaff has trained and performed at Second City, Groundlings, iO West, Monkey Butler, and Comedy Sportz. His 16+ years of comedic and dramatic improv experience have helped him integrate social commentary in other areas of his improv performance (WASP, Date Night, Future Ancestors), storytelling coaching, and sketch comedy writing/directing (Founder/Co-Leader of Laughtivism LA). He also is the Founder of the Rogue community hosting free improv, storytelling, and artivism workshops.
Shulie Cowen teaches improv to kids, senior citizens, and everyone in between. She previously spent 12 years teaching at The Second City Hollywood and iO West, and now travels the USA and the world teaching acting and improv at festivals and schools. She's a graduate of Northwestern University, a former member of The Second City National Touring Company, and an original cast member of Schoolhouse Rock Live!. Shulie currently directs and performs in Opening Night: The Improvised Musical!® and with the improv team EST. Film and television credits include Mr. Mayor, 2 Broke Girls, Liza on Demand, and How I Met Your Mother.
James Tierney is the Business Manager and Co-Founder of Happy Valley Improv and the Blue Brick Theatre located in State College, PA, and home to the Happy Valley XL Improv Festival.
Dorian Lenz is one of the Directors at the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre Phoenix. He previously enjoyed a successful career as Director of National Comedy Theatre San Diego. He has been teaching professional improv and corporate workshops for more than 20 years. He has performed across the country and all over the world, including performing overseas in Germany, Holland and Belgium for US Troops with Armed Forces Entertainment.
Nick Wallander has been performing improv for 13 years. He serves as Artistic Director of ComedyCity Theatre in De Pere, WI (Green Bay’s less popular little brother). He teaches new recruits, facilitates workshops, and produces some of the theatre’s original content. When he isn’t doing improv, Nick might be found dabbling in photography, running a trivia night, or playing with his rescue dogs (Val, Banner, and Lilah).
Mirage Thrams is an award-winning cinematographer and director known for her work on “It’s Not Funny”, “Shade, The Musical” ”The Revolution Will Not Be Improvised”, "Affirmative Reaction," ( an all-black female-led show), and "The Regina Kings."
Michael J. Sielaff has trained and performed at Second City, Groundlings, iO West, Monkey Butler, and Comedy Sportz. His 16+ years of comedic and dramatic improv experience have helped him integrate social commentary in other areas of his improv performance (WASP, Date Night, Future Ancestors), storytelling coaching, and sketch comedy writing/directing (Founder/Co-Leader of Laughtivism LA). He also is the Founder of the Rogue community hosting free improv, storytelling, and artivism workshops.
Shulie Cowen teaches improv to kids, senior citizens, and everyone in between. She previously spent 12 years teaching at The Second City Hollywood and iO West, and now travels the USA and the world teaching acting and improv at festivals and schools. She's a graduate of Northwestern University, a former member of The Second City National Touring Company, and an original cast member of Schoolhouse Rock Live!. Shulie currently directs and performs in Opening Night: The Improvised Musical!® and with the improv team EST. Film and television credits include Mr. Mayor, 2 Broke Girls, Liza on Demand, and How I Met Your Mother.
James Tierney is the Business Manager and Co-Founder of Happy Valley Improv and the Blue Brick Theatre located in State College, PA, and home to the Happy Valley XL Improv Festival.
Dorian Lenz is one of the Directors at the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre Phoenix. He previously enjoyed a successful career as Director of National Comedy Theatre San Diego. He has been teaching professional improv and corporate workshops for more than 20 years. He has performed across the country and all over the world, including performing overseas in Germany, Holland and Belgium for US Troops with Armed Forces Entertainment.
Nick Wallander has been performing improv for 13 years. He serves as Artistic Director of ComedyCity Theatre in De Pere, WI (Green Bay’s less popular little brother). He teaches new recruits, facilitates workshops, and produces some of the theatre’s original content. When he isn’t doing improv, Nick might be found dabbling in photography, running a trivia night, or playing with his rescue dogs (Val, Banner, and Lilah).