The Scene & The Stage

In Chicago you go to the iO Theatre for the Improv foundation, Second City for the polish and the Annoyance for your edge – In Dublin, you come to Jenna O’Brien and Neil Curran for all 3!  Improv is one of the most liberating and exhilarating art forms out there, yet despite its variety at the core of it remains strong scene work.  Approaches to scene-work varies depending on the performer goals however there are methods and tools an improviser can use to really bring the polish and edge to all shows making it a cut above the rest.

During this 5 week course we will focus on just that; the polish and the edge of improv. Performers will learn how to create more grounded scenes and stronger relationships while bringing a high standard of performance to shows. We will also play with time and space to deepen character connections and explore relationship and emotion. Participants will be challenged to up their performance acumen and discipline while strengthening their individual and troupe skills to levels expected in international festivals.

With a combined improv experience of over 30 years, participants have the benefit of tutorage from 2 highly experienced improv teachers offering participants the opportunity for focussed feedback.

 

Content

* Creating grounded characters for both comedy and straight scenes
* Stage utilisation – creating a more believable environment for our audiences and performers to engage with
* Exploiting our strengths and weaknesses as performers
* Creating meaningful formats with our troupes
* Troubleshooting bad habits – conscious and unconscious

 

Registration

Course runs over 5 Tuesdays from 24th March in the Central Hotel in Dublin 2. (7pm to 10pm)

Course cost €180 with €100 payable on registration. Class size is capped. Participants will work with both teachers throughout the programme.

Participants are expected to have completed level 2 improv with Neil or elsewhere to meet the course requirements.

Registration for March 2020:   https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4515920

 

About Neil
Neil has had a passion for improvisation from an early age and has been teaching and performing improv for many years. Neil is the founder and director of Improv Fest Ireland and assistant director of Improv Utopia Ireland.

No stranger to the international stage, Neil has taught and performed improv in Hollywood L.A, San Francisco, New York, Orange County California, Florida, Phoenix, Barcelona, Shanghai, Brussels, London, Krakow and Brighton. His signature show, ‘Neil+1’, has been performed to much acclaim.

Neil teaches improvisation as both a performing art and a life skill. Neil facilitates Improvisation in Business workshops for many companies and recent clients include Smurfit Business School, UCD, NTMA, Dropbox, Google, Facebook, AdRoll, HSE, Allianz, Wilson Hartnell Public Relations (Part of the Ogilvy & Mather Group), and AIB.

In addition to Neils established track record of teaching and performing improv, Neil is also an Executive & Personal Coach and holds a Masters in Training & Education.

About Jenna
Jenna comes from Boston, Massachusetts (USA) where she has trained, taught, and performed at ImprovBoston since 2007. She was a member of the ImprovBoston Mainstage Ensemble, FaceOff Cast, and The ImprovBoston National Touring Company. Jenna has performed at Improv Festivals around the world, including Women in Comedy Festival, Chicago Improv Festival, Alaska State Improv Festival  and Impro Tokyo! She has been performing the duo show ‘Time Card’ with Neil Curran since her move here in 2018. She is also a member of the Improv Fest Ireland production team. Jenna enjoys playing larger than life characters that are emotionally and physically grounded.