The greenest art form in L.A.

After teaching and producing children theater plays for many years, and standing “behind the scene”, I decided last winter that I wanted to be back on stage. In my twenties, I had enjoyed a lot of stage experience as a musician and actor. I wanted to renew the experience and I started doing some research for acting classes. I tried a few classes in Los Angeles and none of them suited my needs. All I wanted to do was having fun while expressing my artistic potential, being part of an amazing group of people and creating art together. Well, persistence always pays off! One day, my boyfriend invited me to go and check out a free Improv Comedy class at IO West Theatre in Hollywood. My first reaction was: ‘What? Comedy? That's scary! ‘ “ Well, it doesn’t cost anything to try” he replied. So we went and attended the workshop. And what a terrific blast we had! Thanks to my boyfriend's spontaneity, I have not only found the ideal place to practice acting but I have also discovered one of the greenest art form ever experienced before.

First of all, on the functional aspect, less is more at IO West: You don’t use any props, costumes or theatre set. All you need in your art is your acting skills. If you need objects and environment settings, you mime it! Improv comedy is just a pure sustainable art form composed of a strong human group mind! That’s all it takes to entertain people!

Likewise, the philosophy of modern Improvisational Theatre at IO West, inspired by his founder, Del Close (1934- 1999), is based on the idea that “On stage we need ecological thinking; nothing goes to waste.... Every decision is relevant, ecological and holistic.” In other words, Del thinks that being a good improviser involves paying detailed attention to every word and move that your partner says and does on stage so that he can build on it and create a solid interaction with his partners on stage. Every thing that is offered to the improviser is an opportunity to play and should not be dismissed. In order to achieve that, actors need to learn to listen to each other in ways sometimes people don’t even do in real life. It involves reaching a higher level of communication between comedians, establishing trust, support and adaptability.

In this modern improvisational theater, acting becomes an organic art form where comedians follow each other’s ideas without controlling or pushing an idea and bringing authentic characters on stage. Actors find an artistic outlet to express what they are and what they do in real life, bringing it on stage and creating comedy organically inspired by life. Using Del Close words, to be a good improviser you need to “bring the energy of your life into your work. Don’t put the energy of your work into your life: ground that energy. Return it to the earth and muses from whence it came.”

Improvisation comedy at IO West also embraces the idea that living in the moment, in a simplistic and truthful way is what brings laughs in the audience and makes the magic happen. In the same manner, in real life, instead of spending time and energy consuming and abusing our natural resources, I have chosen to make simple choices that bring more meaningful relationships with others and less impact on the environment.

In this theater, I have found not only a safe place for creative growth with wonderful actors and staff but also a place to develop important life skills rooted by a true ecological philosophy.

If you wish to take classes at IOWEST in Hollywood, here is their contact information:

http://west.ioimprov.com/classes
IO West Theatre & Training Center

6366 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028