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Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory and homelands of the Chumash and Tongva people. To learn more about their history and ways to support please click the below! Tongva: https://www.gabrieleno-nsn.us/ Chumas: https://www.santaynezchumash.org/
ABOUT US
Impro Theatre aspires to change the world through joyful artistic engagement by performing, teaching, and expanding storytelling through unscripted theatre.
Founded as Los Angeles Theatresports in 1988, Impro Theatre has evolved from a successful short form improv troupe into a critically acclaimed improvisational theatre company. In southern California, Impro has performed sold-out shows at South Coast Repertory, The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, North Coast Repertory in San Diego, Falcon Theatre in Burbank, and The Pasadena Playhouse, as well as venues around the world including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, The Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago, The Melbourne Fringe in Australia and Theatre Adyar in Paris.
As of 1989, Impro Theatre School teaches classical theatre training and the fundamentals of narrative improv for students of all levels. Our CORE curriculum focuses on creating scenes using: character, relationship, objective, and environment.
DEIA
The DEIA Advisory Committee aims to continuously advise, advocate, and improve diversity, equity, inclusion, & accessibility initiatives within the Impro Theatre community. Through their leadership and management of the Ellen Idelson Diversity Scholarship, students from historically marginalized and under-represented communities are awarded 1-year scholarships to study at Impro Theatre School, valued at approximately $2,000 per student. After 6 months of coursework, recipients undergo a review process that takes a look at their attendance record, adherence to our Code of Conduct, and more, to determine their eligibility for the remaining 6 months of the Scholarship. The program started in 2017 with 2 scholarships, and within the past 2 years, we’ve had 50 applicants and awarded 14 scholarships.
LA Theatresports
“Everybody knows two things. You can only learn by failing. You should have a good attitude about it.”
-Keith Johnstone
Before there was Impro Theatre, there was LA Theatresports. Founded by Main Company members in 1988, LATS is a standing tradition of Keith Johnstone’s beloved fast-paced competitive-improv show. Now, the show lives on within the Impro Theatre School, and the cast is a blend of Impro students/community and Main Company members.
Two teams of improvisers go head to head, challenging each other to improvised scenes based on audience suggestions. LA Theatresports shows are accompanied by live music, so be ready to tap your foot, yell out suggestions, boo and hiss the judges or just sit back and watch the playful mayhem.
LATheatresports™ was originally founded by Forrest Brakeman, Ellen Idelson, and Dan O’Connor (Artistic Director of Impro Theatre) in 1988. Most of Impro Theatre’s ensemble originally got their start in Theatresports™ and find it to be an invaluable training for actors, writers and improvisers alike.
Theatresports™ was created by Keith Johnstone at the Royal Court Theatre in London and at the University of Calgary. Other LA Theatresports alumni include Wayne Brady, Brad Sherwood, and Mike McShane of “Whose Line is it Anyway.