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Improv theater taking root in the Methow Valley

September 12, 2014 by Methow Valley News

Maureen Collins, left, and Raven Odion regularly meet with other improv enthusiasts at the Studio in Twisp. Photo courtesy of improv group
Maureen Collins, left, and Raven Odion regularly meet with other improv enthusiasts at the Studio in Twisp. Photo courtesy of improv group

By Laurelle Walsh

A small group of improvisational theater enthusiasts has established twice-monthly practice sessions in the valley, and would like to encourage others to give it a try.

Still without a formal name, the improv group meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at the Studio in Twisp, 109B North Glover St. The next session will be held this Thursday (Sept. 11) from 7:15 to 9 p.m.

Improvisational theater — or improv — takes many forms, its best-known being the unscripted comedy first developed at The Second City in the 1960s, which spawned many of the comedy stars of Saturday Night Live. Improv also takes the form of experimental, or avant-garde, theater, which typically explores political, social and psychological issues.

George Wooten, the local improv group’s coordinator, said the group was inspired by the work of Susan Evans and Bill Layman of Wenatchee, who have performed several times in the Methow. Wooten and others attended Evans and Layman’s workshops in Playback Theater, an improv form in which the actors re-enact personal stories.

The Methow group’s improv sessions are led by Raven Odion, who has studied Playback Theater and performed improv with a group on Whidbey Island before moving to the Methow three years ago.

 “Improv is really good for us,” said Odion. “It’s a safe environment to put yourself out there in a way you never have.”

Odion begins each practice session with warmups, which might include passing an imaginary object around the circle or playing a mimic game with a partner or the whole group. The exercises then move into improv games, “sort of like the container within which a scene is acted out,” she said.

“Improv is a great way for actors to improve stage craft, but I would love it if people with no theater experience would join us,” Odion said.

Wooten describes improv as “reacting without thinking. We’re doing simple acting exercises that anybody can do, and building a set of skills that allow you to simply react in the moment,” he said. “It’s really fun and challenging.”

Both Odion and Wooten said they would like the group to build toward doing Playback Theater, perhaps eventually performing on a valley stage.

 “Playback would be a way to retell some of the stories of the fires and other events of this summer,” Wooten said.

All ages are welcome at the improv group’s practice sessions and “anytime is a good time to join,” said Odion. A $5 contribution is collected at each session to pay for the studio space.

For more information, contact Wooten at 997-6010 or george232@centurytel.net.

Filed Under: ARTS Tagged With: George Wooten, improv, The Studio

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