Impro Blog

Tis the season

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ December 4, 2011 / Leave a comment

This blog makes me happy to write. I guess it is because it includes two things that make me happy. There is a spirit that this time of year should bring out in all of us. The spirit of giving, of sharing of joy and goodwill. It delights me when...
a matter of opinion

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ November 5, 2011 / 1 Comment

Hello everyone, Sorry I have been amiss in blogging. I’ve just returned home from a wonderful 6 week tour. Many a great adventure, wonderful shows and fantastic people. I love impro festivals. I love the diversity of ideas, training, beliefs, skills and people. I am always interested in what can...
Scenes that matter

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ October 12, 2011 / 3 Comments

I’ve been teaching a workshop lately that I’ve called Scenes That Matter. I’ve been very excited by the work and the response from the participants. In general many of my workshop themes come from my reflecting on the time I trained with Keith Johnstone at the Loose Moose Theatre....
Comedy Breaking the shackles that bind us

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ August 29, 2011 / 3 Comments

Recently an event happened at the Del Close marathon which has prompted much discussion and debate. It happened on Aug. 14 during a show by the Upright Citizens Brigade, a very experienced improvisation company. The show they were performing is called Asssscat an impro show in which audience members are...
short form / long form

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ August 11, 2011 / 2 Comments

This blog is also available in Italian Does anyone else find people’s use of this terminology a bit ridiculous? I feel there really isn’t a difference between long form and short form except for the time involved and I’m a bit annoyed at companies who define their work with a tone...
Question Everything

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ July 3, 2011 / Leave a comment

My head is buzzing today. Lots of clashing thoughts and emotions. Waves of uncertainty crashing against the hard cliffs of standards. What the hell am I going on about? Ok, last night we had a Secret Impro Theatre show. www.secretimprotheatre.com the whole concept of the show is to push boundaries,...
So an improviser and a Rabbi walk onto a plane…

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ June 22, 2011 / 1 Comment

So an improviser and a Rabbi walk onto a plane…. sounds like the start of a joke doesn’t it. Today I was flying back to Melbourne from New Jersey. My first flight was New Jersey to Denver then I had to change flights to continue to LA. I’ll be honest...
Embracing Fear

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ June 15, 2011 / 2 Comments

I am writing this blog from South Paris Maine at a place called Celebration Barn Theatre. It is an old red barn built in 1902 that was turned into a Centre for creating original theatre by Tony Montanaro. Today was the first workshop of a 5 day session. It was...
Thoughts on Master Servant work

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ May 10, 2011 / 10 Comments

Lately I have started a series of workshops called Impro Quest which are aimed at intermediate to advanced improvisers and focused on a particular skill or area of exploration. I’m quite enjoying these sessions as it allows me to also explore and develop as a teacher. The last session was...
When teacher becomes student

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ March 16, 2011 / 1 Comment

Lately I’ve been working on a project that has required me to challenge certain skill areas and to learn new approaches. I love learning, I love being challenged and at the same time I often dislike being taught. I love the journey of learning. Sometimes this journey can be a...