Impro Melbourne
Encyclopedia
Impro Melbourne is an improvisational theatre
company in the Australia
n city of Melbourne
. Formed by Russell Fletcher and Christine Keogh in 1996 it is now run by Artistic Director Karl McConnell, General Manager Rik Brown and Committee chaired by Kevin Yank.
Since 1996 Impro Melbourne has expanded its activities to produce varied forms of theatre
, all using improvisation as a base, alongside a programme of shows and workshops for school
s. Impro Melbourne currently produces the popular Theatresports™, along with Keith Johnstone
's two other competition formats Micetro and Gorilla Theatre
. Impro Melbourne regularly performs formats from improvisation companies in North America
and Canada
and has also developed and produced its own improvised formats, including long-form plays, often in a particular genre.
Impro Melbourne has performed in theatres across the city of Melbourne, including Theatreworks
, La Mama Theatre, Carlton Courthouse and Melbourne Town Hall
, and has been a regular feature at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
. As well as theatre performances Impro Melbourne has a programme of demonstration shows and workshops for secondary schools, which tours the state through Regional Arts Victoria. Impro Melbourne also offers corporate training and entertainment.
The beginning of Impro Melbourne's 2011 artistic season saw the company move all productions to The Space, 3-5 Carlton Street, Prahran. The company now performs every Sunday night, with each show comprising two formats, the exception being the company's Theatresports™ season which runs the entire evening.
Previous Artistic Directors:
Patti Stiles
- 2004 to 2009
Geoff Wallis - 1996 to 2003
Improvisational theatre
Improvisational theatre takes many forms. It is best known as improv or impro, which is often comedic, and sometimes poignant or dramatic. In this popular, often topical art form improvisational actors/improvisers use improvisational acting techniques to perform spontaneously...
company in the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n city of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. Formed by Russell Fletcher and Christine Keogh in 1996 it is now run by Artistic Director Karl McConnell, General Manager Rik Brown and Committee chaired by Kevin Yank.
Since 1996 Impro Melbourne has expanded its activities to produce varied forms of theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
, all using improvisation as a base, alongside a programme of shows and workshops for school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
s. Impro Melbourne currently produces the popular Theatresports™, along with Keith Johnstone
Keith Johnstone
Keith Johnstone is a drama instructor whose teachings and books have focused on improvisational theatre and have had a major influence on the art of improvisation.-Education:...
's two other competition formats Micetro and Gorilla Theatre
Gorilla Theatre
Gorilla Theatre is a performing arts venue in the Drew Park area of Tampa, Florida. Founded in 1990 by playwrights Aubrey Hampton and Susan Hussey, the 76-seat full-season theatre presents original dramas, musicals and revivals of classic works...
. Impro Melbourne regularly performs formats from improvisation companies in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and has also developed and produced its own improvised formats, including long-form plays, often in a particular genre.
Impro Melbourne has performed in theatres across the city of Melbourne, including Theatreworks
TheatreWorks
TheatreWorks may refer to:*TheatreWorks *TheatreWorks *TheatreWorks *Theatreworks *Theatreworks *Theatreworks USA*TheaterWorks...
, La Mama Theatre, Carlton Courthouse and Melbourne Town Hall
Melbourne Town Hall
Melbourne Town Hall is the central municipal building of the City of Melbourne, Australia, in the State of Victoria. It is located on the northeast corner of Swanston and Collins Streets, in the central business district. It is the seat of the Local Government Area of the City of Melbourne...
, and has been a regular feature at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the third-largest international comedy festival in the world and the largest cultural event in Australia. Established in 1987, it takes place annually in Melbourne over four weeks in April typically opening on or around April Fool's Day...
. As well as theatre performances Impro Melbourne has a programme of demonstration shows and workshops for secondary schools, which tours the state through Regional Arts Victoria. Impro Melbourne also offers corporate training and entertainment.
The beginning of Impro Melbourne's 2011 artistic season saw the company move all productions to The Space, 3-5 Carlton Street, Prahran. The company now performs every Sunday night, with each show comprising two formats, the exception being the company's Theatresports™ season which runs the entire evening.
Previous Artistic Directors:
Patti Stiles
Patti Stiles
Patti Stiles is an actor and improvisation artist living in Australia.She received her training at Calgary, Alberta's world-renowned Loose Moose Theatre under Keith Johnstone. Stiles was the Artistic Director of Impro Melbourne from 2004 to 2009. She was formerly the Artistic Director of Rapid Fire...
- 2004 to 2009
Geoff Wallis - 1996 to 2003