About the Workshop
I am a huge proponent of UCB style game. I think it fundamentally helps any improvised scene get funnier faster. That being said, I also think game has a lot of pressure put on it, that there are many misconceptions surrounding it, and that there are ways to view it as a tool in your toolbox instead of a goal to be accomplished.
In this workshop we'll look at easy ways to get to game, ways game creates a shared common language for those on stage, and how game can serve as a diagnostic tool that helps all of our scenes, especially in making strong starts and clear beginnings part of our muscle memory as improvisers.
The three workshops taught by Chris Gethard at this festival will largely be the same, so while flattering to have repeat attendees, know that the instructor's goal is to crush a three hour workshop for as many people as want to take it over the weekend and should you attend twice you will repeat exercises.
Prerequisite: It's highly recommended you have familiarity with the concept of UCB style game before attending this workshop. For beginners, this will help demystify the process of finding and establish clear games. For veterans, this will fine tune game play while applying it firmly to the beginning sections of our scenes in a nerdy and technical way.
Your Instructor
Chris Gethard
Chris Gethard is currently the host of the Beautiful/Anonymous podcast, formerly the host of the underground cult talk show "The Chris Gethard Show", and once wrote and starred in a critically praised HBO special called Career Suicide. As an actor he's been on shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, Broad City, and more. He's also been in films like The Other Guys, The Heat, Class Action Park, Anchorman 2, and a movie about improv called Don't Think Twice. In terms of improv bonafides, Chris started at the Upright Citizens Brigade New York in the year 2000 at the age of 19. He performed with many great groups and performers over the years, was a mainstay teacher, and wrote a number of the original curriculums used by UCBs school. In 2023, Chris co-founded Laughing Together, a non-profit organization that sends improv into schools as a social emotional learning tool.
