Impro Theatre At The Broad Stage Continues With SHAKESPEARE UNSCRIPTED

LA's own Impro Theatre continues their residency at The Edye at The Broad Stage, presenting a different style of their signature improvisation for one weekend, each month. Paying homage to the genius of William Shakespeare, Shakespeare UnScripted (April 20 - 22) spontaneously creates a brand new play, for every performance, in The Bard's unmistakable style. Using language that sizzles with poetry, colorful imagery and bawdy innuendo, Impro Theatre brings to life the monarchs, spirits, lovers and fools that make up Shakespeare's world.

"Shakespeare is the very first genre we developed way back in 1999. He is the perfect inspiration for an unscripted theatre company since a great deal of his work was created by his company using improvisation," says Producing Artistic Director Dan O'Connor. "Because Shakespeare was limited in what he could produce on stage (no horses and cannons in the theatre, please) he had to create dialogue that painted engaging pictures in the minds of the audience as to what the fairy world looked like, how a ship is tossed and destroyed at sea or any number of battles taking place just off stage. We get to create a brand new Shakespearean play every night inspired by his amazing work and whatever the audience suggests. For us, every show is opening night!"

LA Weekly says of Shakespeare UnScripted, "GO! The wit, charm, energy and creativity on display are delightful and entertaining." Los Angeles Times adds, "The theatrical equivalent of circus aerialists...these remarkably clever performers fly through the show with the very greatest of ease...all involved keep the laughs coming and the cadence astonishingly Shakespearean."

The residency continues with two more months of unpredictable, improvised plays in the styles of Dorothy Parker UnScripted (May 18 - 20) and Tennessee Williams UnScripted (June 15 - 17).

Impro Theatre received two 2016 Ovation Award nominations: "Best Presented Production" for Jane Austen UnScripted at The Broad Stage and "Best Featured Actress in a Musical" for Michele Spears' performance in Sondheim UnScripted. The Los Angeles Times says, "Impro Theatre has evolved into a powerhouse improvisational company in full-length shows that are off-the-cuff and consistently hilarious. An indigenous Los Angeles treasure, the company should be seen - and reseen!"

Impro Theatre has a long history with The Broad Stage, where the company performed Jane Austen UnScripted for several years, performed the world premiere of Fairytale UnScripted and performed the world premiere of 1966 Holiday Variety Extravaganza in December of 2016.

About Impro Theatre
Founded as Los Angeles Theatresports, Impro Theatre has evolved from a successful short form improv troupe into a critically acclaimed theatre company.

Impro Theatre creates completely improvised, full-length plays in the styles of the world's greatest writers. With no pre-planning or prepared scenarios, the performers start with audience suggestions and then write theatre as they perform it, combining verbal dexterity and dynamic physicality to bring character and plot to life in an instant. Impro Theatre's performances are unique; there are no repeated characters and no set story structure. Each performance offers an exploration into the process of spontaneous creation while encouraging a profound level of engagement between performers and audience, who are all united in discovering what happens in the moment on that particular night.

In Southern California, Impro has performed sold-out shows at South Coast Repertory, The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, The Pasadena Playhouse, North Coast Repertory in San Diego, The Falcon Theatre in Burbank, and many more. Venues around the world include the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago, Evans Auditorium at Texas State University, The Melbourne Fringe in Australia, and Theatre Adyar in Paris.

Impro has received multiple Ovation Recommended honors and Critics' Picks in Los Angeles Times, Backstage and L.A. Weekly.

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