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Oxford Impro produce shows and run workshops to entertain and teach through the powers and creativity of Improvisation, and the skills associated with it.
Improvisation requires high levels of concentration between the players who need to work together thinking on their feet, making decisions and accepting each other’s ideas. We practise together as a team once a month so as we can build on this trust, develop our skills and keep our imaginations alive (not easy to do in the restrictive world we live in today!)
The ability to improvise is invaluable as the techniques used are so transferable and providing a focus where it can be exercised is of great benefit to all concerned; improvisers, audience members and participants of the workshops.
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We aim to give actors the opportunity to take part in shows where they can perform in front of a wide-ranging audience, whilst at the same time being in a safe environment to develop their skills. We will hire enthusiastic talented people as cast and crew who are keen to offer their talents whatever their background.
We also aim to benefit our audience members by giving them spontaneous theatre that can educate as well as entertain them. We also want to take our shows to new places and people to ensure what we are doing is fresh and that as many people as possible have the opportunity of experiencing it. You may also spot us out on the streets occasionally!
The workshops will enhance people’s lives by teaching them indispensable skills in a fun and confidence-building atmosphere through the use of games and exercises, which they may then have the option of putting into use in a performance situation, or can just use for personal improvement.
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Another important aspect for us is to stick to our values and follow in the footsteps of those such as Keith Johnstone (practitioner based in Canada and author of ‘Impro’ and ‘Impro for Storytellers'), to ensure that we continue to perform improvised theatre and not just comedy as many do (such as TV’s ‘Whose line is it anyway?’). This means not relying on gags for cheap laughs or gaining audience affection at the expense of another player. This also involves not limiting ourselves to scenes and games we can guarantee will work but taking the risk of using new material.
Oxford Impro wants to give people the opportunity to experience, through a variety of means, this often misunderstood form of theatre, which can give people an enjoyable time whilst teaching them life-enhancing skills.