Teachers. Who lights the fuse?

[Timmy R]

Hi all,

In Melbourne, we're currently rumbling and chatting about international teachers for 2012. The tyranny of distance means it is difficult to have a finger on the pulse of who is doing what in The States.

In the past, we have had Dan O'Connor, Edi Paterson, Randy Dixon, Rebecca Stockly, Paul Killam, Per Godfeddson, Felipe Ortiz, Keith Johnstone , Derek Flores and others.

We are a Johnstonian flavoured company, if a definition must be applied. BATS is the closest model I've seen to Impro Melbourne. We like to play in story and consequence. We don't much bite at the 'East Coast' scenario gear. In Austin, I would say P'Graph is the closest to our style (Though there are 22 of us)

So, who's doing what? Which teachers have flipped your world lately?

Thanks

T

[kbadr]

I love, love, love Dave Razowsky and Todd Stashwick. Both have very different approaches and have messed up my improv brain in distinctly wonderful ways. They are definitely rooted in Chicago style, rather than BATS/story style, but their work is totally applicable to more narrative-driven improv. They'll break apart how you view playing in the moment, and if you already know how to string the moments together to make a story, you'll have a more organic narrative.

I also adore the gentlemen from 3 For All and can't recommend them enough. They hit the story angle closer then Razowsky or Stashwick.

[Ryan Hill]

Tim,

I've only been at this a few months, so I have limited experience with teachers, however, Todd Stashwick did wonderful things for my relatively new improv spirit at his Out of Bounds workshop. I second Kareem's recommend.

Ryan

[KathyRose]

Dave Razowsky has taught a couple of wonderful workshop here in recent years, including an intensive on Anne Bogart's Viewpoints for improvisers. He also performed in one of my favorite shows from the 2008 OOB - VAROOM. You can see how his vivid character work could easily translate into long-form narratives.

[Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell]

Todd and Dave are both great, as are Dan and Edi. i learned a lot from JD Walsh in Los Angeles. he doesn't teach as much anymore, and not sure how much he travels, but he really helped me ground a lot more of my performance in an emotional reality that moved my storytelling in a more character/relationship driven direction as opposed to just plot based.

oh, and Jill Bernard is the source of all joy and delight and associated wisdom in the world. watch one performance of Drum Machine and your story brain will break with new excitement.

[ejbrammer]

Jill. Dave.

TJ and Dave blew my mind recently. I go back to their notes a lot.

[sara farr]

Three For All - Rafe Chase, Stephen Kearin and Tim Orr
Splendid Things -- Eric Knobel, Hannah Kuhlmann, Michael Ritchie
Groundlings - Tom Booker brought in a guy (Jordan Black?) to teach improv singing at the Institution. He was super fun.

[Timmy R]

Thanks all. V.much appreciated. Our deadline for submissions approaches and I'll submit recs verbatim....and then proceed to speak on behalf of all of Austin forever.

Ta lots

T