The Korea Herald

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Seoul City Improv hosts U.S. performers for joint show

By Korea Herald

Published : July 1, 2014 - 21:05

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The cast of Seoul City Improv (SCI) The cast of Seoul City Improv (SCI)
Seoul City Improv and Improv America will team up in Itaewon and Haebangchon from July 4-6 to deliver a weekend of performances and workshops.

The Seoul troupe will be joined by performers connected with ImprovBoston and the Hideout Theater in Austin, Texas.

Having performed with the group in Seoul twice before, Texas-based improv artist Kaci Beeler praises the city, citing its supportive community and the joys of raising awareness of improv comedy.

“(We hope to) get more people in Seoul excited about watching and trying improv as well as giving local performers new skills to work with in their future shows and classes,” Beeler said.

The performances will be at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Bull and Barrel, where people will get to see an array of short-form, musical and long-form sketches for 10,000 won.

Beeler also encourages those who have not yet seen an improvisational performance to attend one of their shows, promising a novel and exciting experience.

“You have got to come and see one,” she enthuses. “It’s not like any other live performance because it’s created on the spot just for you. It’s really very unique and different every time. You’ll have a blast.”

The group will be hosting three workshops at the Camarata Music Company in Haebangchon. A session on comedy sketch writing covering workflows from conception to finalizing a draft will be held Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., led by Boston-based performer Robert Woo. An improv acting workshop led by Beeler that works on making quick, confident decisions onstage will be held on the same day from 3-6 p.m.

On Sunday from 1:30-4:30 p.m., an improv class led by ImprovBoston’s artistic director emeritus Will Luera will offer intermediate-level actors are hoping to sharpen their skills in long-form and short-form improv. The workshop aims to improve actors’ decision-making, as well as their understanding of timing, editing, and character dynamics.

Email seoulimprov@gmail.com to register. Each workshop is limited to 15 participants.

(dperez@heraldcorp.com)