“Working with Impro Theatre has really opened me up creatively. In my time there I learned how to trust myself, and others, onstage…and how to make those moments as real and interesting as possible.”
“Quite by luck I stumbled upon Impro Theatre and have come to value improv not only as a way to learn some acting skills, but I also find a lot of what I learn helpful for other aspects of my daily life.”
“I love the classes. I think I’m addicted.”
“To find classes with teachers and students as equally concerned about the actual process as the final product was amazing. “
“Impro Theatre might be the most positive theater learning experience in Los Angeles.”
“The teachers are energetic, enthusiastic and excited to share their knowledge.”
“When I first talked to Jo on the phone about classes, she made me feel so comfortable and welcome. My first classes at Impro were very friendly and professional, and I felt happy with my choice to take classes here.”
“The diversity in the classes is a plus. To find classes with younger and older, gay and straight, black and white, professional and nonprofessional actors, etc., is rare and a great way to learn.”
“The classes are small and personal. Impro fosters a sense of creative freedom that allows for development at all levels.”
“The closest thing I can compare it to is meditation. Spending time in the moment has helped me to get in touch with something I feel like I’ve been hiding from. I’m really looking forward to taking it as far as it can go.”
“Impro is an amazing place. I never knew how powerful a ‘discipline’ improv could be, and how much the work from our classes and performances would not only spill over into our personal lives, but be exceptionally applicable to navigating the corporate world.”
“Being in a supportive environment that is nonetheless extremely challenging, where growth is focused on at an individual level, is what I call home, as an improviser.”
“The Impro training program gets you to improvise from the inside-out. Performers are up and active, conquering their ‘improv fear’ and discovering their physicality, emotional presence, and kinesthetic awareness.”
“Impro provides a supportive environment that encourages risk-taking and all the success (and mistakes!) this entails.”
“Nothing is imposed; everything is discovered. When an ensemble harmonizes this way, co-creating the narrative, it’s an amazing experience for performers and audience alike.”
“What you do is unique — a real art form unto itself — and it would be a tragedy for L.A. to lose this. There are a lot of hungry people in LA that would love to take what you’re offering — if they just knew you were out there. You should be in a bigger space, making more noise.
“In a city where failure equates to dismissal, Impro is a rare oasis in a desert of intense frustration and competition.”
Currently Brian is the director of classical studies for Impro Theatre’s “Unscripted Rep.” Originally from San Francisco, Brian co-founded “Bay Area Theatresports” and was founder and artistic director of the award-winning “Pulp Playhouse.” He performed the improvised show “Lifegame,” off-Broadway and hosted the TV version for TNN. In Las Vegas, Brian was composer and improviser for the improv/sketch show “BOO!” which ran for one year at New York New York Hotel and Casino, and where jumping out of a coffin never got old. Ever. His one-man show about a depressed lounge singer, “Johnny Lonely’s Unhappy Hour,” was nominated for a Fringe first at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and was a critic’s choice in Seattle, Melbourne and Edinburgh. TV and Film appearances include “American Body Shop,” “World Cup Comedy,” “Ask Rita” and the upcoming film “He Was a Quiet Man” with William H. Macy. In 2006, Brian was part of “Unexpected Shakespeare” and improvised 20 full-length Shakespeare plays on the main stage of the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Other regional theater credits include The Old Globe Theatre and A.C.T., where he also was core faculty in the MFA in acting programs. Other directing credits include “An Unscripted Carol” (improvised Dickens) and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for Ukiah Players Theatre.
Michele Spears was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. She studied acting at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and now lives in Los Angeles. As an improviser she’s worked with Impro Theatre , Inflatable Betty, Disney’s Laughing Stock Co., Disney’s Troupe Du Jour, Acme Unplugged, and Pulp Playhouse. She’s performed at improv festivals across the country as well as the International “Improvistal” in Paris. Recent acting credits include “Malcolm In The Middle,”"World Cup Comedy,” “Mystery Woman: In the Shadows,” and the award winning indie film, “Self Storage.” On stage she has performed in National and European touring companies, Off-Broadway and in regional theater across the country. She is also an award winning director/choreographer and just returned from Scotland where she directed an all improvised Sondheim musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
An improviser for over 20 years, Floyd was co-founder and first Artistic director of Seattle Theatresports/ Unexpected Productions. He moved to Los Angeles in 1994 and joined LA Theatresports/ Impro Theatre and was that company’s artistic director from 2002 to 2004. A professional actor for over 20 years, he’s appeared in numerous television programs, including: “The Practice,” “ER,” “Becker,” “The Guardian,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Reno 911,” and “World Cup Comedy.” He can be seen most recently in “Navy NCIS,” “Jake in Progress,” “Las Vegas,” and the new WB pilot “Mindy and Brenda.” He also works extensively in the world of commercials and voice-over. Floyd has appeared in numerous independent feature films, shorts, and in Christopher Guests’ “A Mighty Wind.”
Edi Patterson is a Main Company member of the famed GROUNDLINGS Comedy Troupe in Los Angeles, and can be seen around LA and all over the world improvising plays in the styles of various playwrights with the critically acclaimed IMPRO THEATRE (most recently doing improvised Shakespeare at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival). She can be seen in the upcoming Dreamworks movie A THOUSAND WORDS starring Eddie Murphy and Allison Janney, and as Fran in the feature mockumentary film WIFFLER-THE TED WHITFIELD STORY. Recent television credits include UNHITCHED on Fox, and two different roles on the upcoming Cartoon Network Adult Swim live-action series A YOUNG PERSON’S GUIDE TO HISTORY. She was a recurring correspondent for THE SHOWBIZ SHOW WITH DAVID SPADE on Comedy Central and was a series regular on Damon Wayans’ sketch comedy series THE UNDERGROUND on Showtime. Other credits include CASE CLOSED (Comedy Central pilot), WITH A BULLET (VH1 pilot), C.S.I, JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE, WORLD CUP COMEDY, ASK RITA, and the controversial web series/soon to be feature film JESUS PEOPLE. Edi also played Arwen and Legolas, and co-wrote songs for the hit musical FELLOWSHIP!- THE MUSICAL PARODY OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, which won LA Weekly Awards for “Best Comedic Ensemble” and “Musical of the Year”.
Lisa Fredrickson has been an ensemble member of many Improv companies including Seattle Theatresports, SAK Comedy Lab Orlando, Disney’s Comedy Warehouse, Impro Theatre, and Inflatable Betty. She is the resident improv teacher at California Lutheran University. She was an original cast member of “Fellowship: The musical” in Los Angeles, performed at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and performed steadily in “Boo” the improv show at New York, New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Her TV credits include “Greek,” “Desperate Housewives,” and “The Tick.” She has been in numerous TV commercials, usually as some sort of uptight mother. She is currently in a masters program studying Spiritual Psychology. She is married to an amazing banjo player and she loves babies…and banjos…and babies who love banjos.
Dan is Co-founder of the critically acclaimed Impro Theatre as well as a co-founder of four other American Theatresports companies including Bay Area Theatresports. He performed in the Improbable Theatre’s production of “Lifegame” Off-Broadway and in the TNN television series of the same name. He co-created the NBC/PAX television improv comedy show “World Cup Comedy.” He was chosen from improvisers all over the country last summer to represent our gloriously spontaneous nation as one third of the American Team at the Improv World Cup Tournament in Germany.
Tracy Burns is the former Artistic Director of Impro Theatre where she still teaches and performs. She has been teaching and performing improvisational comedy internationally for over 20 years.
Jo McGinley specializes in narrative improvisation, creating improvised stories in classical and popular genres. “Unscripted Plays & Films” is the product of over 13 years of research and exploration.