We often divide improvisation into categories: theatrical vs narrative, short form vs long form, comedy vs drama, musical vs grounded. But what if the most satisfying work lives between those lines? This workshop is inspired by the idea that “content dictates form” (thanks, Stephen Sondheim) and that by bringing opposing elements together, through sensitivity, presence, and joy, we can create something better than what we planned regardless of the structure, form or game.
The best short form is played with the depth of an actor. The best long form carries the spark of short form. Drama needs lightness. Comedy needs truth.
So why do we treat these as either/or? Improv is ALIVE. LET’S LIVE!!!! This workshop explores how we can expand our range without losing trust—with ourselves, our partners, our audience, or the art form through intentional play, foundation building and willingness to get it “wrong” or “weird” or “impulse based” to create more vibrant work. This is a playground—a lab. To test those edges of opposites and “maybe nots” as we play with both broad choices and nuance. It looks to challenge the false dichotomy of either or when anything you have inside you is on the table to pull from. The workshop hopes to bring more of those choices, impulses and actions to the surface through practice so more is available to you in the moments of discovery. This is also the first time Andel is teaching this approach so directly, which means the workshop will be alive, responsive, and yes—probably a little messy. (Which is why she’ll make sure it’s really fun.)