...because a tour of the universe seemed excessive.  Seriously? Here are some reasons:
REASON 1 - Because there are SOOOO Many instructors out in the world now who learned the essence of improvising in 1 or 2 classes  and feel like they should be teaching now.  And, to be honest, some of these people are doing a bad job.  In some cities these people flood the market with poorly trained improvisers doing poor shows leaving the audience with a bad taste for improvisation.  My philosophy is - Have many many teachers.  You will discover which ones work for you and your group.  If your teacher just focuses on the latest fad or a new game because "it's funny", try another teacher. (what will you do on stage when the 'funny' game isn't funny anymore?)  There are many good teachers out there. They should look at what you REALLY NEED to combat the problems you are struggling with to improvise well.

REASON 2-  Every year between 12 and 20 Improvisers and Educators come to the LOOSE MOOSE theatre from all over the world for the Improvisation Intensive which lasts 10 days.   The group experience is energizing and many  leave with the hopes of implementing some of the ideas with their own groups.  Most have a difficult time for one reason or another so I started a "mini - summer school" which traveled to them offering some of the same experiences in their theatre.

REASON 3- Because I love the work.  Improvisation is an amazing activity / behaviour.  It comes in many forms and connects to us on many levels.  In the past few years we've seen it as a focus in psychology and business  as well as stage work.  Each group pushes the edges of improvisation in their own way (whether they know it or not).  I hope to 'seed' and share their work with each of the groups I meet and see where the connections can be made between groups and ideas. 

REASON 3- I get asked to do a workshop one day in London and the next day there's a workshop in the United States.  It's not very efficient.  I thought it would be easier to meet groups and lower costs to organize things a bit better.

Oh you noticed that.  In the last section there are 2 "Reason 3's"  It was a mistake really but it reminded me of an important lesson. In an improvised improvised scene some people try to go back and correct what they see as " mistakes".  Sure there are some "mistakes" you should correct but don't get too rigid.  Use the mistake when you can.  It's like a gift from the Impro Gods.  When you can make sense of "the mistake" the audience sees real improvising.  Experienced improvisers do this often to great effect.  

The emotional ones or financial?  Lets start with the monetary. 

The Teaching fee depends on where you are but the general range is $100 U.S. an hour or 90 EUROS or 700 Norwegian Kronar or 12,000 Japanese Yen or 4000 Thai Baht or 220,000 Venezuelan Bolivar and three chickens and a goat. (sorry I cannot accept anything larger than goat).

BUT- In some instances I may agree to cost sharing plan that will enable groups to have longer workshops and achieve more in the sessions (and allow some people to attend who might not otherwise be able to afford to).  Please remember that it is expensive to fly everywhere and do this so please keep special financial considerations for groups who are most in need.  I've even done workshops with some groups who pay what they can afford AFTER the workshop.  A big risk but in the end, they got more than they originally expected and I got more than I would have asked AND a few people gave me cheese and books...  That's what they could afford.

If I have to fly, boat, Yak and camel to you and there is only one group in your area, then it makes the cost slightly higher but I will try to do what I can.  Contact me and if I am in your area, we will try to arrange something.  Generally I try to get the groups in an area to split the cost of traveling and accommodation and if there are many groups in one location I try to partly cover the travel cost myself. Please contact Shawn for specific info...

Also - we need a space to work that is not flooded, dangerous, too small for the group, infested with Brazilian Bat Monkeys or possessed.   Unless that's the only place to work.

The Impro Tour is connecting with Business groups, Theatre Groups, A group of psychologists, Radio advertisers, The Norwegian Opera, Schools, Dancers, Managers and many other groups.  Some of the groups have only heard of the "benefits of Improvisation".  So whoever you are, there's something relevant for you.

That wasn't  a question.

You just added a question mark to the end of the statement.  

There's always more to improve on.  One of my favourite teaching moments was visiting a group of Improvisers from Finland and not only had all of them been improvising for YEARS but their Impro group ( STELLA POLARIS ) has been together for more than 10 years.  They didn't want a new fancy format or games.  They wanted to go over the basics.  They were great to work with and took the information to a higher level.  Same experience in Norway with a Senior Improviser who couldn't attend the "advanced" impro class so he joined the "beginners".  He was constantly taking notes and benefited from the experience. 

Did you read the last question?

Who is this?  Why are you even--- Ohhhh  Alright!! There will be things you have never done before.  If you are interested in a variety of formats I would be happy to include that in sessions too.  Remember though that it's not JUST about the games.  Most of the good games weren't created just to entertain.  They were created to deal with specific problems have.  The side effect is that they are also entertaining.  If Improvisers focus only on games to be funny then they miss the real point.

Of course.  I've worked with groups from "League Improvisation" and "Comedy Sportz" and "Playback" and Keith Johnstone style and Second City and Mick Napier influenced... on and on.  Everyone has their own style but there are universal skills that work in all areas. 

Yes you may have a cookie but don't blame me if it spoils your appetite for supper.  Ohhhh your mom will be sooo mad.

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