Improvisation is a spontaneous creation, from Latin word improvisus – unpredictable. Today I would like to tell you something about theatrical improvisation and Impro School in Warsaw.
I won’t write about an improvisation itselft, because I do not feel qualified to do that. Let me start by saying that I went to my first impro show about 5 or 6 years ago. It was the Battle of Dubbings, where the improvisers for had a few minutes had to freestyle voiceovers to „great” movies selected by Bartek Walos. I enjoyed it so much, that I decided to perform myslef. As I was the only person not belonging to any group and, in addition, I drank three beers because of stress, my performance was not so good. Fortunately, I had a strong support from the audience. And … I did not have any idea and desire to continue this adventure. Everything changed in August last year. I got gifted a course in Impro School and I decided to start fresh my adventure with improvisation.
In the Impro School you can sign up for a two-month course for total beginners. Eight meetings will allow you to check whatit’s all about and whether the art of improvisation is really something for you. However if you don’t want to spend 75 euros you can also sign up to many different workshops (some in English!) at the same school. I recommend you to follow their Facebook Page for all the informationB. Although regardless of what you choose, you should go to the Resort Komedii, a place where most impo nights are being held in Warsaw, and see some performances. Ok, but lets get back to my story.
I received a gift voucher as a birthday present and in September I signed up for classes with Marta Iwaszkiewicz. Fridays, 6 p.m. There were about 15 people at the first class. Fantastic atmosphere, we all felt very good, and the most important things was that no one judged us, all ideas were good and we just had to throw them out.
Each three-hour session began with a warm-up, then we went to perform various excercises, we showed a friend world of our childhood, we were at the costume party in the past and we did a lot of weird things. After the break, we set the stage and practiced various short formats. Was it fun? Yes, definitely. It can be proved by the fact than half of the group signed up for the next level of classes – called Armando, which we have just finished. If you are wondering whether it is worth trying, my answer is definitely: Yes. For It’s a great way to learn how to not treat yourself so seriously, how to show emotions, how to quiet yourself down when you suddenly realize that it is not enough to go on the stage and just yell. We learned a lot about group work, listening, thinking. And last but not least. I am convinced that during the classes you will meet a lot of fantastic people with whom you will spend nicequality time, and will want to hang out with not only during classes.
