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About The Event

Improvidence opens the third edition of the ‘Lyon Improv Fest’!
August 20 – 26

The LIF is the very first international improv festival in Lyon. We are proud to welcome renowned international guests we love and have been following for years. The LIF in one of the largest improv events in France. 300+ improvisers, 25 workshops, 15 international guest, 20 shows. It is the very first festival bringing together so many different improv trends. Choose your own path, register for workshops or apply with your own shows.

This festival is your festival !
Improvise Lyon.

SAVE THE DATE!
From August 20 to 26 2023
THE LYON IMPROV FEST

Discover the schedule

Guest VIP

Discover all the improvisers
 

Workshops

Lyon Improv Fest aims to be a great celebration of international improv. A unique occasion to meet some of the most famous improvisers you already heard about, An amazing week to attend intensive workshops with your improv stars! 25 workshops in one week !

What a fabulous cast! We are already excited to welcome their amazing shows every night.

Improvidence Theatre is the France’s first improvised comedy theater.


Shows

You are an improviser and you have a show you want to perform at the Lyon Improv Fest ?

Schedule

Expand All +
  • August 20


  • 19:00 - 21:00
    Shows
    Workshops
    Where
    Lyon

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    We have all been in ‘Improv Hell’ when we have no idea what to say next and we are just hoping for someone to either pull the lights or “edit” the scene. What if we had tools to get us out of any jam on stage or to start scenes with immediate relationship and theatrical weight? This workshop will explore six magic bullets to enhance any scene you’re in. This workshop is all about the tips, tricks, styles, approaches to, misunderstood, positive, negative, get outa your head, wish I had said that and all forms of DIALOUGE….. It’s not what you say but what your character thinks! They say write about what you know well why not Improvise about what you know. Every single one of us has enough great DIALOUGE within in us to last a least 10 life times of improvisational DIALOUGE!!!! Come play with us and find the real joy in knowing you never need to feel you don’t know what to say in an improv. You do know what to say you just don’t know it yet! Exciting and inspired performance comes from the courage to work outside of our comfort zones. Come – Lets rediscover the play inside the play.
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Research shows that an average woman speaks approximately 20,000 words a day, while a man speaks only 7000. In fact, this research has been disproved, but how quickly it evokes our stereotypes? Since childhood, we are programmed by society to think of gender in a certain way – boys should wear blue and be powerful, while girls should wear pink and be gentle. As we progress in time, we start breaking these patterns. But they are more profound than we think. In order to break them completely, we must know the history of gender roles and challenge ourselves not to take the beliefs we were raised on for granted. This workshop aims to do exactly that. We will dive into gender theory and history before challenging ourselves to play the opposite sex on stage without judgment. We will then challenge ourselves to play scenes without ANY gender presumptions at all. The laboratory’s goal is to make us see the world through different gender glasses.
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    A class to work on the improvised stage. Space, objects, and characters live together in a place created before the eyes of the audience and our partners. If you see it, they will too. In this class we will work on the concepts of use of the space, focus distribution, the balance of forces and status, and framing.
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Learn the signature format of the Big Bang ensemble that explores stories that are happening now, could happen later, and simultaneously happening elsewhere. This workshop will focus on the free-form format that creates form where there wasn’t one before by exploring content, revisiting ideas and then organically closing the show by learning the signature pivots, parallel moves and portals that makes every Big Bang show unique.
    Workshops

  • August 21


  • 19:00 - 21:00
    Shows
    Workshops
    Where
    Lyon

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Improv is creating theatre live in the moment so we are wise to borrow skills from actors. The ability to connect emotionally with ourselves and our scene partners, to communicate to the audience and make them feel. Discover the freedom of playing from instinct and sensation, rather than thinking, as we bring awareness into our senses and really listen. We will slow right down and feel the emotional connection between you and your scene partner, giving space for the magic and subtext to arise and develop. These skills will help you feel liberated onstage, allowing you to work less hard to move your audience. Playing from the heart creates scenes that really spark. When we get out of our heads and into our senses, creativity flows easily and compelling connections emerge which may be joyously funny or deeply touching. Pedagogical objectives of the workshop: Emotional connection and awareness Slowburn Theatrically truthful acting Subtext
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Research shows that an average woman speaks approximately 20,000 words a day, while a man speaks only 7000. In fact, this research has been disproved, but how quickly it evokes our stereotypes? Since childhood, we are programmed by society to think of gender in a certain way – boys should wear blue and be powerful, while girls should wear pink and be gentle. As we progress in time, we start breaking these patterns. But they are more profound than we think. In order to break them completely, we must know the history of gender roles and challenge ourselves not to take the beliefs we were raised on for granted. This workshop aims to do exactly that. We will dive into gender theory and history before challenging ourselves to play the opposite sex on stage without judgment. We will then challenge ourselves to play scenes without ANY gender presumptions at all. The laboratory’s goal is to make us see the world through different gender glasses.
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Learn the signature format of the Big Bang ensemble that explores stories that are happening now, could happen later, and simultaneously happening elsewhere. This workshop will focus on the free-form format that creates form where there wasn’t one before by exploring content, revisiting ideas and then organically closing the show by learning the signature pivots, parallel moves and portals that makes every Big Bang show unique.
    Workshops

  • August 22


  • 19:00 - 21:00
    Shows
    Workshops
    Where
    Lyon

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Improv is creating theatre live in the moment so we are wise to borrow skills from actors. The ability to connect emotionally with ourselves and our scene partners, to communicate to the audience and make them feel. Discover the freedom of playing from instinct and sensation, rather than thinking, as we bring awareness into our senses and really listen. We will slow right down and feel the emotional connection between you and your scene partner, giving space for the magic and subtext to arise and develop. These skills will help you feel liberated onstage, allowing you to work less hard to move your audience. Playing from the heart creates scenes that really spark. When we get out of our heads and into our senses, creativity flows easily and compelling connections emerge which may be joyously funny or deeply touching. Pedagogical objectives of the workshop: Emotional connection and awareness Slowburn Theatrically truthful acting Subtext
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    We all know the “inner judge” thatsits on ourshoulder. While making a seriousface, it constantly makes us doubt ourselves, thinking and feeling that we are not good enough - A thing that couldn't be farther from the truth. During my years as an improviser, I have found out that one of my greatest tasks is to understand how to handle my inner judge. I have developed a set of tools for different kinds of situations that tend to wake my inner judge up. These are tools that help me turn my inner judge into an ally rather than an obstacle. In this workshop we will get to know more about our inner judge, where it comes from and why it is so loud. Using highly practical tools, we will learn how to silence our inner judge when needed - and when it is important to pay attention to what they have to say. The purpose of this workshop is to help you get out of your head, trust yourself and be more free in your improv.
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Some people think that improv is speed, dynamic, immediacy. But it's not just that. It's also pause, harmony and silence. It's a play written and performed on the spot and, like every play, it has its moments. Through this workshop we will try to find the joy of the scene through the use of music.
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    If you give a colony of ants a week and a pile of dirt they will transform it into skyscrapers in an antscaled city. Without a blueprint or a leader millions of little individuals create a complex, fascinating, functioning society. It turns out that ants perform these complex tasks by obeying a few simple rules. It all results from local interactions between the individuals who are simply using their ant power and are just doing their jobs as ants in response to outside cues and each other. In this workshop let them be an inspiration for the collaboration of us improvisors on stage. Let them be our role models for working together on stage when we are using our improv power to create a piece of theatre from nothing. So let ́s focus on our true improv powers and let ́s just simply do our job as improvisors and practice our best improv skills while we spend time on stage together. Let ́s truly listen to our fellow players Let ́s open up and look into each others eyes for real Let ́s unconditionally follow each other Let ́s honestly respond to our fellow players in every single moment of our connection And at the end of the day let ́s step aside and look back at the complex, fascinating pieces of theatre we left behind.
    Workshops

  • August 23


  • 19:00 - 21:00
    Shows
    Workshops
    Where
    Lyon

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Some people think that improv is speed, dynamic, immediacy. But it's not just that. It's also pause, harmony and silence. It's a play written and performed on the spot and, like every play, it has its moments. Through this workshop we will try to find the joy of the scene through the use of music.
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Create an all-immersive world that has its own history, physics and momentum. Focus on the skills that will set your ensemble up to perform a serial show that can take place anywhere in this world at any time. The techniques of Quest will be used to create a medieval fantasy world but can also be applied to any other type of world you’ll like which will then provide hours, days and months of entertainment for your actors and your audience.
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    If you give a colony of ants a week and a pile of dirt they will transform it into skyscrapers in an antscaled city. Without a blueprint or a leader millions of little individuals create a complex, fascinating, functioning society. It turns out that ants perform these complex tasks by obeying a few simple rules. It all results from local interactions between the individuals who are simply using their ant power and are just doing their jobs as ants in response to outside cues and each other. In this workshop let them be an inspiration for the collaboration of us improvisors on stage. Let them be our role models for working together on stage when we are using our improv power to create a piece of theatre from nothing. So let ́s focus on our true improv powers and let ́s just simply do our job as improvisors and practice our best improv skills while we spend time on stage together. Let ́s truly listen to our fellow players Let ́s open up and look into each others eyes for real Let ́s unconditionally follow each other Let ́s honestly respond to our fellow players in every single moment of our connection And at the end of the day let ́s step aside and look back at the complex, fascinating pieces of theatre we left behind.
    Workshops

  • August 24


  • 19:00 - 21:00
    Shows
    Workshops
    Where
    Lyon

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Our body is our greatest resource onstage. It is our communication tool to the audience, to our partners and also to ourselves. So don't just be a talking head. Tune in to your body and let's move! Our embodiment drives how we feel, think and play. We’ll look at how to change your state of mind through the body - increasing your sense of power and calming nerves. Notice how your embodied patterns influence the choices you make and that by recognising them and trying new styles you can discover new perspectives. We’ll see how every body tells the story and how we can work together physically to make our stages more visually engaging. Discover how playing your whole instrument - not just relying on what comes out of your mouth - can expand your range, change your choices and really bring your improv alive.
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Michael Gellman will lead a three-day workshop to explore the work described in his book – Process: An Improviser’s Journey, and new applications developed at The Process Theatre in NYC, Toronto and Chicago. Participants will focus on the tools necessary for powerful performance used in improvised acting and explore methods used to create unique and truthful improvised theatre. Y OUR CHARACTERS – YOUR STORIES _ YOUR TRUTH This workshop will encourage us to expand our potential for creating inspired improvisation as we explore: • The Freedom to react and make discoveries in performance. • Our potential for creating unique characters with emotional and physical truth • Playing and being truly present in the moment. • Trusting ourselves and our characters in performance. • Ways to be a truly great ensemble member. • Getting out of our own way. • Courage to work outside of our comfort zones. • The Joy in our performances. Michael’s unique approach to improvisation encourages the participants to explore the idea that all improvisation is ultimately about focusing out. Our characters react to what they see, hear taste touch and smell. We will understand: the difference between reacting and responding, the power of improvising in the here and now and staying truly grounded for our fellow players. The ensemble will explore techniques to: enhance emotional honesty, maintain a point of concentration, connecting to your partner and exploring and heightening Point of View to advance story. TOOLS TO KEEP THE PERFORMANCE GOING AND GROWING FIND THE PLAY WITHIN THE PLAY
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    How can you pass from one scene to another in a creative way? How can you make your narration more dynamic and playful ? This workshop proposes tools to boost your improvisation thanks to techniques inspired by cinema and television. You will work on multi scene transitions and jump transitions. The goal is to acquire a range of tools that you can then adapt to your shows. These tools are made to vary the pace and style in a performance. They also spice up the experience for the players by adding a little "organized chaos." This can be a wonderful way of pushing yourselves further in your narrative work and breaking dull routines. These concepts can be used in both long form and short form improvised shows
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Create an all-immersive world that has its own history, physics and momentum. Focus on the skills that will set your ensemble up to perform a serial show that can take place anywhere in this world at any time. The techniques of Quest will be used to create a medieval fantasy world but can also be applied to any other type of world you’ll like which will then provide hours, days and months of entertainment for your actors and your audience.
    Workshops

  • August 25


  • 19:00 - 21:00
    Shows
    Workshops
    Where
    Lyon

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Michael Gellman will lead a three-day workshop to explore the work described in his book – Process: An Improviser’s Journey, and new applications developed at The Process Theatre in NYC, Toronto and Chicago. Participants will focus on the tools necessary for powerful performance used in improvised acting and explore methods used to create unique and truthful improvised theatre. Y OUR CHARACTERS – YOUR STORIES _ YOUR TRUTH This workshop will encourage us to expand our potential for creating inspired improvisation as we explore: • The Freedom to react and make discoveries in performance. • Our potential for creating unique characters with emotional and physical truth • Playing and being truly present in the moment. • Trusting ourselves and our characters in performance. • Ways to be a truly great ensemble member. • Getting out of our own way. • Courage to work outside of our comfort zones. • The Joy in our performances. Michael’s unique approach to improvisation encourages the participants to explore the idea that all improvisation is ultimately about focusing out. Our characters react to what they see, hear taste touch and smell. We will understand: the difference between reacting and responding, the power of improvising in the here and now and staying truly grounded for our fellow players. The ensemble will explore techniques to: enhance emotional honesty, maintain a point of concentration, connecting to your partner and exploring and heightening Point of View to advance story. TOOLS TO KEEP THE PERFORMANCE GOING AND GROWING FIND THE PLAY WITHIN THE PLAY
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    To work with masks is to work with the sensation of pure spontaneity. A mask can only operate in the present moment, it is never in the future or the past. Masks also develop the notion of another "self", a character that is not you even if you are its vehicle. The experience of mask allows the participants to open up their personal awareness of the "moment" and develops their spontaneity and expression on stage. The full masks will work on connection, listening, relational stakes and building a scene one moment at a time. The half masks will provide an experience of truly “letting go” as actors transform into masked characters with their specific personality and vision of the world. This workshop is based on the techniques of Full Mask and Trance Mask developed by Keith Johnstone.
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Didaskalia (stage direction): an instruction in the text of a play indicating the movement, position, or tone of an actor, or the sound effects and lighting. Have you ever wondered how you can incorporate these directions into your improvised scenes? In this class we will work on the different types of didaskalia we can find in universal theatre and how to adapt this element to the improvised work.
    Workshops

  • August 26


  • 19:00 - 21:00
    Shows
    Workshops
    Where
    Lyon

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    In improv we have the opportunity to be anyone or anything so let’s have fun with that! Discover lots of ways into characters from big and bold to subtle and intriguing. We’ll play with a toolkit of different acting techniques to become someone or something else, using voice, physicality and concepts to unleash your character range. If you know what your character wants, you'll know what they would do in any situation, whether you are playing a teapot or a president. We'll use tools and games to help you find points of view through internal and external traits. After this energetic and joyful workshop you’ll never be stuck playing the same few characters again
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Put the essence of acting into your improv. Two of the fundamental principles of professional acting (which we tend to forget when we are improvising) are action and reaction: Action means how we affect and move our partner emotionally; reaction means how we become emotionally affected and changed by our partners. By focusing on attentive, intentional action and emotional reaction, the relationship between characters immediately deepens and we automatically create compelling, deep and surprising scenes that are absolutely fascinating to watch and super- fun to play. In this workshop we will learn the meaning of affective actions, the keys for authentically portraying every emotion (big or small) and what happens when we combine the two. This workshop is a ticket to the wild and fun roller-coaster of re/acting that will get you creating the most vital scenes you have ever played. Level: intermediate - advanced
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    Michael Gellman will lead a three-day workshop to explore the work described in his book – Process: An Improviser’s Journey, and new applications developed at The Process Theatre in NYC, Toronto and Chicago. Participants will focus on the tools necessary for powerful performance used in improvised acting and explore methods used to create unique and truthful improvised theatre. Y OUR CHARACTERS – YOUR STORIES _ YOUR TRUTH This workshop will encourage us to expand our potential for creating inspired improvisation as we explore: • The Freedom to react and make discoveries in performance. • Our potential for creating unique characters with emotional and physical truth • Playing and being truly present in the moment. • Trusting ourselves and our characters in performance. • Ways to be a truly great ensemble member. • Getting out of our own way. • Courage to work outside of our comfort zones. • The Joy in our performances. Michael’s unique approach to improvisation encourages the participants to explore the idea that all improvisation is ultimately about focusing out. Our characters react to what they see, hear taste touch and smell. We will understand: the difference between reacting and responding, the power of improvising in the here and now and staying truly grounded for our fellow players. The ensemble will explore techniques to: enhance emotional honesty, maintain a point of concentration, connecting to your partner and exploring and heightening Point of View to advance story. TOOLS TO KEEP THE PERFORMANCE GOING AND GROWING FIND THE PLAY WITHIN THE PLAY
    Workshops

  • 9:30 - 15:30
    To work with masks is to work with the sensation of pure spontaneity. A mask can only operate in the present moment, it is never in the future or the past. Masks also develop the notion of another "self", a character that is not you even if you are its vehicle. The experience of mask allows the participants to open up their personal awareness of the "moment" and develops their spontaneity and expression on stage. The full masks will work on connection, listening, relational stakes and building a scene one moment at a time. The half masks will provide an experience of truly “letting go” as actors transform into masked characters with their specific personality and vision of the world. This workshop is based on the techniques of Full Mask and Trance Mask developed by Keith Johnstone.
    Workshops

 

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