
Similar to the show Whose Line is it Anyway, Improv is the art of making things up on the spot with some basic rules and no script. After many successful years of Sew Good Improv on Friday nights at Festival Theatre, Festival has received much interest in opportunities for youth actors to learn about and practice improv. Combining this interest with the FTCYP means an in-depth learning experience for our middle and high school performers and a whole lot of fun for our audience.
Improv artists from the Twin Cities and beyond have taught these youth everything they know. Developing their own style and show format, the youth performers will appear in a weekend all their own, and as special guests at selected Friday night Sew Good Improv shows along with summer guest artists and interns,”this is not just a performance technique, these are life skills.” says guest artist and Improv performer, Elizabeth Albers ,”Improv helps cultivate these young performers to listen, accept others, and to respond positively.”
Jenna Driscoll, Jerry Eisen, Brita Gallagher, Liam Gallagher, Lucy Herman, Addie Koenig, Ella Middleton, Frankie Miller, Stephen Rice, Claire Scharfenberg, and Sienna Shoop make up the group that will be performing in Improv for YOUth. “My daughter loves learning improv it has really enhanced her social skills and confidence.” explains a parent of one of the young performers.
Directed by Jen Scott, a Twin Cities theater artist and resident artist at the Pillsbury House and Theatre in Minneapolis, MN, Jen has been teaching for over a decade, at the Brave New Workshop, Children’s Theatre Company, Park Square Theatre, and HUGE Theatre. ”Jen was one of my favorite Improv coaches from the cities,” says Jaclyn Johnson, Artistic Director about working with Jen,” She is energetic, positive, kind, and hilarious! Always knowing how to create a supportive team environment, Jen has a way of focusing energy and giving specific and clear feedback to the improvisers she works with. The teams she leads always have a dynamite way of working together, something we value very much at Festival Theatre and in our Youth & Family programming."
Festival Theatre would like to thank the Royal Credit Union for being the lead sponsor for all of Festival’s Youth and Family programming and High Test Travel as a supporting sponsor of the 2015 FTCYP.
Tickets are $13.50 for adults and $8.50 for students under 25. Patrons only have four opportunities to see Improv for YOUth and with limited seating in our Elbow Room, these shows will sell out quickly. Show dates and times are Thursday, July 23rd at 7:30 PM, Friday, July 24th at 9:00 PM, Saturday, July 25th at 7:30 PM, Sunday, July 26th at 2:00 PM.