Impro Blog

Transaction Scenes

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ March 23, 2012 / 3 Comments

Transaction Scenes A recent post on Facebook got me thinking more about Transaction Scenes. The comment, loosely paraphrased and my apologies if I misinterpreted, was that the reason transaction scenes often don’t work is because there is no relationship. There is a lot of work put into impro training...
who do you play for?

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ March 6, 2012 / 9 Comments

I’ve just been writing some notes / thoughts about formats and choices for the Impro Melbourne company forum. It has started me thinking about Who people play for? Great formats, in my opinion, have something they are trying to achieve, share, reveal, or question. Something they wish for for the...
a found note

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ February 21, 2012 / 1 Comment

Sorting through my many notes and bits of papers in hopes of putting them together into some useful form, I came across this which I had scribbled out. I think it is useful to share. Truly spontaneous improvisation is only possible when fear and judgment are removed allowing performers to...
We are our only creative limitation.

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ February 14, 2012 / Leave a comment

Valentines Day a day of death, imprisonment and whipping. What the? Today is the day sold as the day of love and romance. However, many bloody brawls will take place, many hearts will be broken, there will be emptiness and loneliness and many expectations will be dashed on the rocks...
life is a great teacher

Posted by Patti Stiles
/ February 1, 2012 / Leave a comment

I’ve become more and more aware that if you want to improve your skills as an improvisation teacher, you need to pay attention to people are you and the life you are living. Each moment and how you think, feel or respond is a lesson in impro. For example right...
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...