Playing bad people doesn’t make you a bad person. Playing good people doesn’t make you good.

Improv doesn’t have to be about clear good guys and scheming bad guys. It can be about extraordinary, complex people, about doing the right thing for the wrong reason and the wrong thing for the right one. Scenes with nuance, contradiction and contrast.

During this weekend, we will own these knotty, unclear scenes, plumb the depths of human depravity and suffering in a safe and creative environment. And then, when it’s almost too much, throw in some simple dumb joy. This weekend is about looking under the bed and not just facing our fears, but finding the power in them. Knowing what we think about our characters and what they do.

So come play scenes of people living the worst times of their lives and doing the most awful things possible. Come play murderers and their victims, corrupt politicians and licentious bishops. Come be your worst self. And then play a rainbow that loves the sun so much it could explode.

Somewhat obviously, this course comes with a warning. We don’t aim to offend, but we anticipate complex conversations without easy answers. However, no one will be expected to play (or watch) a scene they don’t want. We believe that through honesty and examination, we will journey through the underworld, bring back the treasure, and be stronger for the journey.

Tim Orr

Paula Galimberti

will luera

Stacey smith

harmony mcelligott

Jacintha Damstroem

Ronald Harvey

Zlatin tsvetkov