improvhi.com

improv & sketch comedy in hawaii

Improv & Sketch Comedy Classes and Shows in Honolulu!

Chinatown Invasion Show: UH Double Rainbows

by

Special Guest: The UH Double Rainbows
Improv Comedy at Ong King

Honolulu, HI, June 12– Think Fast welcomes UH Manoa’s Double Improv Rainbows to the Chinatown Invasion: Improv Comedy Show at Ong King Art Center, 184 N King St.

The Double Improv Rainbows from UH Manoa join Think Fast Improv onstage at Ong King Arts Center for a night of unscripted theater, laughs and fun!

Think Fast will be saying goodbye to a long-time friend by playing The World’s Most Dangerous Improv Game- 2 Men, No Shoes, 50 Live Mousetraps.

Come out for a super fun time, support live comedy and have a few drinks.

Show starts at 7:30pm, show at 8pm. $10 at the door.

 

WHERE: Ong King, 184 N.King Street
WHEN: Friday, June 12th
TIMES: 7:30pm doors open, 8pm show begins!
TICKET: $10 at door
PARKING: Chinatown Municipal Parking ($3) on Smith/Nimtz and River/Nimitz

Improv Brew Haha

by

Get ready to laugh with Think Fast and friends!  Chinatown’s improv team Think Fast will be hosting and performing a night of comedic good times at the “Improv Brew Haha”!  Audience members will be treated to a show completely made-up and inspired by suggestions they give!

Last Saturdays of each month, Think Fast welcomes all improvisers to pop in before the show and create all new teams that very night!  Throughout the night, Think Fast will also perform their favorite short form games, as well as their stylized long form piece for the evening.

Doors open at 7:30pm and the show begins at 8pm.  There will be one 10 minute intermission and a bar with a variety of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks available.

Tickets are $10 at the door at Ong King Arts Center located on 184 N.King Street.

WHERE: Ong King, 184 N.King Street
WHEN: Saturday, April 25th
TIMES: 7:30pm doors open, 8pm show begins!
TICKET: $10 at door
PARKING: Chinatown Municipal Parking ($3) on Smith/Nimtz and River/Nimitz

Improv Skills: Storytelling

by

“You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows that they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift.”

― Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus

Scripted theater takes years to write and alter to create a production. Improvised theater has no script, there are multiple perspectives that work together without a script to tell a story that will never be told again. Only those special few who witness the story in all it’s glory.

This month learn to tell an unscripted story with your scene partners. Classes apply the techniques of ‘Give and Take’, listening, and teamwork.

WHERE: HiFi COOP, 2nd Floor, Ward Warehouse, 1050 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
WHEN: Every Tuesday in March
TIMES: 7:30pm
TICKETS: $10/class or $35 for the month
Classes are held every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30.

Our Improv Skills are every Tuesday and open to everyone regardless of improv experience level.  If you’ve never improvised before, that’s great!  Our instructors are gentle and have plenty of experience to share.

About The Instructor

Larissa DLG Nielsen is one of the most recognized improvisers in Hawaii. She was a founding member of IYFI (In Your Face Improv) and a member of house teams both at Laughtrack Theater Company and The Greenhouse. Larissa loves to share the magic of improv and taught the Laughtrack Theater Company’s Youth & Teen Improv program twice. Larissa has studied improvised theater under Second City master level trainer Jeff Griggs and Chicago Improv Festival Executive Producer Jonathan Pitts as well as the training programs with both of Hawaii’s other improv schools. Her talent and drive garnered her an invitation as one of 8 improvisers invited to an exclusive coaching class taught by Griggs. She has appeared as a performer at Hawaii’s Improvaganza Festival for 4 years, and coached 3 teams into the festival’s spotlight. Larissa also makes all of Think Fast’s videos!

Drop-in Improv Classes are held every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30.

The Original Jams Improv Show in Kaka’ako!

by

Join us for another round of ORIGINAL JAMS IMPROV SHOW awesomeness!

This will be our very last show at 685 Auahi Street…but don’t you fret Monsieur Marius! We’ll be movin’ and out and up to Kaka’ako Agora in November! More deets coming soon…

For now..check us out for one last blow out!

Featuring some of Hawaii’s top players including the OJAMS House Team: TOE JAM FOOTBALL!

Open Improv Jam to follow! No experience required. Anyone can play! NEWBIES VERY WELCOME!

Free Event – $5 suggested donation

All donations will go StoryU Arts – a Division of the BBB Torch Award Winning Non-Profit The BizGym Foundation

FEATURED: Improvaganza 9 Hawaii Festival of Improv – CLOSING NIGHT MASH UP

by

This year’s “Improvaganza Closing Ceremony” will feature the annual Improvaganza Mash Up. The Mash will feature performers from this year’s improvaganza selected to be in groups at random. Each group will have 15 minutes to create a new show format and then 15 minutes to perform it.

About Improvaganza:
Improvaganza! The Hawaii Festival of Improv is a gathering and celebration of Improvised theatre in all its diverse expressions. It is the Hawaii’s only international festival dedicated to Improv comedy and improvised theatre. Improvisers from all over the world come to Honolulu for a weekend of improv performances, workshops, and events.  The festival strives to cultivate Hawaii’s local improv community by showcasing local and mainland and international  improvisers while providing opportunities for them to network with each other. The festival also strives to raise the profile of this rare art form by introducing audiences to entertaining, stimulating and thought provoking performances, opportunities to participate in interactive activities, and a chance to learn improv through festival sponsored workshops

FEATURED: Improvaganza 9 Hawaii Festival of Improv – Women of Improv Panel

by

Improvaganza presents the “Women in Comedy” discussion panel featuring:
Kristen Lucas, Shaun Landry, Jill Eickmann and moderated by Improv Hawaii’s Kimee Balmilero.

About Improvaganza:
Improvaganza! The Hawaii Festival of Improv is a gathering and celebration of Improvised theatre in all its diverse expressions. It is the Hawaii’s only international festival dedicated to Improv comedy and improvised theatre. Improvisers from all over the world come to Honolulu for a weekend of improv performances, workshops, and events.  The festival strives to cultivate Hawaii’s local improv community by showcasing local and mainland and international  improvisers while providing opportunities for them to network with each other. The festival also strives to raise the profile of this rare art form by introducing audiences to entertaining, stimulating and thought provoking performances, opportunities to participate in interactive activities, and a chance to learn improv through festival sponsored workshops

FEATURED: Improvaganza 9 Hawaii Festival of Improv – Alternative Stage

by

Improvaganza’s Alternative Stage features three very unique improv show including:
“Boxeatori B-Treato” from Turin, Italy
“Super Mega Art Show” an Improvaganza Fan Favorite
“Hush” by Hawaii’s On The Spot

About Improvaganza:
Improvaganza! The Hawaii Festival of Improv is a gathering and celebration of Improvised theatre in all its diverse expressions. It is the Hawaii’s only international festival dedicated to Improv comedy and improvised theatre. Improvisers from all over the world come to Honolulu for a weekend of improv performances, workshops, and events.  The festival strives to cultivate Hawaii’s local improv community by showcasing local and mainland and international  improvisers while providing opportunities for them to network with each other. The festival also strives to raise the profile of this rare art form by introducing audiences to entertaining, stimulating and thought provoking performances, opportunities to participate in interactive activities, and a chance to learn improv through festival sponsored workshops

FEATURED: Improvaganza 9 Hawaii Festival of Improv

by

Last show at Kumu Kahua theater featuring:
“Shades of Grey”
“Improv Bandits”
and
Hawaii’s own “Dr. Safeword”

About Improvaganza:
Improvaganza! The Hawaii Festival of Improv is a gathering and celebration of Improvised theatre in all its diverse expressions. It is the Hawaii’s only international festival dedicated to Improv comedy and improvised theatre. Improvisers from all over the world come to Honolulu for a weekend of improv performances, workshops, and events.  The festival strives to cultivate Hawaii’s local improv community by showcasing local and mainland and international  improvisers while providing opportunities for them to network with each other. The festival also strives to raise the profile of this rare art form by introducing audiences to entertaining, stimulating and thought provoking performances, opportunities to participate in interactive activities, and a chance to learn improv through festival sponsored workshops

FEATURED: Improvganza 9 Hawaii Festival of Improv – Ladies Only Stage

by

Improvaganza presents the “Ladies Only Stage” where the women run the show! This block of shows features two all female improv teams!
“The Pin-Up Squirrels” – New York, New York
“Essence Improv” – Los Angeles, California

About Improvaganza:
Improvaganza! The Hawaii Festival of Improv is a gathering and celebration of Improvised theatre in all its diverse expressions. It is the Hawaii’s only international festival dedicated to Improv comedy and improvised theatre. Improvisers from all over the world come to Honolulu for a weekend of improv performances, workshops, and events.  The festival strives to cultivate Hawaii’s local improv community by showcasing local and mainland and international  improvisers while providing opportunities for them to network with each other. The festival also strives to raise the profile of this rare art form by introducing audiences to entertaining, stimulating and thought provoking performances, opportunities to participate in interactive activities, and a chance to learn improv through festival sponsored workshops

FEATURED: Improvaganza 9 Hawaii Festival of Improv

by

Join Honolulu’s own “Dicks and Janes” as they perform their 70s kid show themed improv show “KIDIOTIC” along with fellow local team “The BFF Show” and “Sibling Rivalry”.

About Improvaganza:
Improvaganza! The Hawaii Festival of Improv is a gathering and celebration of Improvised theatre in all its diverse expressions. It is the Hawaii’s only international festival dedicated to Improv comedy and improvised theatre. Improvisers from all over the world come to Honolulu for a weekend of improv performances, workshops, and events.  The festival strives to cultivate Hawaii’s local improv community by showcasing local and mainland and international  improvisers while providing opportunities for them to network with each other. The festival also strives to raise the profile of this rare art form by introducing audiences to entertaining, stimulating and thought provoking performances, opportunities to participate in interactive activities, and a chance to learn improv through festival sponsored workshops

FEATURED: Improvaganza 9 Hawaii Festival of Improv

by

Headlining this block of shows and making their return to the improv stage after a 7 year hiatus is Honolulu’s own “Screwbuki!” Joining them will be local team “Teen Angst” and Tall Grande Venti”

About Improvaganza:
Improvaganza! The Hawaii Festival of Improv is a gathering and celebration of Improvised theatre in all its diverse expressions. It is the Hawaii’s only international festival dedicated to Improv comedy and improvised theatre. Improvisers from all over the world come to Honolulu for a weekend of improv performances, workshops, and events.  The festival strives to cultivate Hawaii’s local improv community by showcasing local and mainland and international  improvisers while providing opportunities for them to network with each other. The festival also strives to raise the profile of this rare art form by introducing audiences to entertaining, stimulating and thought provoking performances, opportunities to participate in interactive activities, and a chance to learn improv through festival sponsored workshops

FEATURED: Improvaganza 9 Hawaii Festival of Improv

by

Join Improv Hawaii’s very own “Improvhi News Show” team as they make their 2nd apperance at Improvaganza! They’ll be kicking off the night along with Headliner Ben Jones’ one man improv show “Just Ben” and iScream Sandwich!

About Improvaganza:
Improvaganza! The Hawaii Festival of Improv is a gathering and celebration of Improvised theatre in all its diverse expressions. It is the Hawaii’s only international festival dedicated to Improv comedy and improvised theatre. Improvisers from all over the world come to Honolulu for a weekend of improv performances, workshops, and events.  The festival strives to cultivate Hawaii’s local improv community by showcasing local and mainland and international  improvisers while providing opportunities for them to network with each other. The festival also strives to raise the profile of this rare art form by introducing audiences to entertaining, stimulating and thought provoking performances, opportunities to participate in interactive activities, and a chance to learn improv through festival sponsored workshops

FEATURED: Improvaganza 9 Hawaii Festival of Improv – Duo Stage

by

Improvaganza’s “Duo Stage” will feature three of the best improv duos from around the country:
“Shades of Grey”
“Salmon Shane”
“We Know Each Other”

About Improvaganza:
Improvaganza! The Hawaii Festival of Improv is a gathering and celebration of Improvised theatre in all its diverse expressions. It is the Hawaii’s only international festival dedicated to Improv comedy and improvised theatre. Improvisers from all over the world come to Honolulu for a weekend of improv performances, workshops, and events.  The festival strives to cultivate Hawaii’s local improv community by showcasing local and mainland and international  improvisers while providing opportunities for them to network with each other. The festival also strives to raise the profile of this rare art form by introducing audiences to entertaining, stimulating and thought provoking performances, opportunities to participate in interactive activities, and a chance to learn improv through festival sponsored workshops

FEATURED: Improvaganza 9: Hawaii Festival of Improv – International Stage

by

Improvaganza welcomes three OUTSTANDING international acts to Honolulu!
“Impro Brasil” – Rio De Janiero, Brazil
“Italy Boxeatori B-Teatro” – Turin, Italy
“Improv Bandits” – Auckland, New Zealand

About Improvaganza:
Improvaganza! The Hawaii Festival of Improv is a gathering and celebration of Improvised theatre in all its diverse expressions. It is the Hawaii’s only international festival dedicated to Improv comedy and improvised theatre. Improvisers from all over the world come to Honolulu for a weekend of improv performances, workshops, and events. The festival strives to cultivate Hawaii’s local improv community by showcasing local and mainland and international improvisers while providing opportunities for them to network with each other. The festival also strives to raise the profile of this rare art form by introducing audiences to entertaining, stimulating and thought provoking performances, opportunities to participate in interactive activities, and a chance to learn improv through festival sponsored workshops

FEATURED: Improvaganza 9: Hawaii Festival of Improv – Opening Ceremony

by

Improvaganza kicks off the festival with an epic opening night ceremony with performances by:
“The Alohahas” – Kona, Hawaii
“Impro Brasil” – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
“Essence of Improv” – Los Angeles, California
“Super Mega Art Show” – Seattle, Washington

About Improvaganza:
Improvaganza! The Hawaii Festival of Improv is a gathering and celebration of Improvised theatre in all its diverse expressions. It is the Hawaii’s only international festival dedicated to Improv comedy and improvised theatre. Improvisers from all over the world come to Honolulu for a weekend of improv performances, workshops, and events. The festival strives to cultivate Hawaii’s local improv community by showcasing local and mainland and international improvisers while providing opportunities for them to network with each other. The festival also strives to raise the profile of this rare art form by introducing audiences to entertaining, stimulating and thought provoking performances, opportunities to participate in interactive activities, and a chance to learn improv through festival sponsored workshops

Improv Hawaii’s Ice Bucket Challenge…KISS MY ALS!

by

We were called out by Improvaganza producer Garrick Paikai on Saturday August 23rd, 2014  How APPROPRO that we had an improv show that same night!  Thanks to our super awesome and generous audience…we will be making a donation AND dumping ice cold left over cooler water on Kimee Balmilero’s head.  EVERYONE’S A WINNER!

For the people we called out (Suzi Barrett, Eugene Cordero and Wayne Brady): NO TIME LIMIT! You are all such fantastic peeps and we know that you have done or will do what you can to bring awareness to ALS.  We’re not even sure if you’ve already gotten called out….we just love saying your names;)

(Our video is the second video down…because this first video is WAY more important…)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxUUqemzJKw

The Original Jams Improv Show

by

We’re baaaaack….

It’s been way TOO long since we jammed out with our hammed out…so let’s DO THIS!

Join us for an epic night of improv AWESOMENESS featuring some of the island’s top improvisers and an open improv jam! Anyone can play…NEWBIES VERY WELCOME!

Don’t lego of this opportunity to play and have fun!

$5 suggested donation
(all proceeds will be donated to StoryU Arts – a division of the BizGym Foundation focusing on bring the art of performance to the business space!)

SEE YOU THERE!

On the Spot presents… Walkabout Wednesday Comedy Throwdown!

by

On the Spot Improv presents the Walkabout Wednesday Comedy Throwdown.

This FREE short form improv comedy Show pits 1 guest Improviser against our Iron Improvisers as they do battle for points, laughs, and audience appreciation every Wednesday night.  Your suggestions start the scenes, your approval crowns the winner!  To keep the improvisers honest, our referee will monitor the action, awarding points for stellar play or detracting points for violations.

Show starts at 7:30 at the ARTS at Marks Garage.  This is a relatively family-friendly show – come one, come all!

On the Spot presents… Walkabout Wednesday Comedy Throwdown!

by

On the Spot Improv presents the Walkabout Wednesday Comedy Throwdown.

This FREE short form improv comedy Show pits 1 guest Improviser against our Iron Improvisers as they do battle for points, laughs, and audience appreciation every Wednesday night.  Your suggestions start the scenes, your approval crowns the winner!  To keep the improvisers honest, our referee will monitor the action, awarding points for stellar play or detracting points for violations.

Show starts at 7:30 at the ARTS at Marks Garage.  This is a relatively family-friendly show – come one, come all!

Wednesday Improv Throwdown presented by On The Spot

by

On the Spot Improv presents the Walkabout Wednesday Improv Throwdown! Free Comedy!

comedythrowdown

Now in its Third Season, this high-energy short form improv comedy show pits 1 guest Improviser against our Iron Improvisers in a 2v2 battle for points, laughs, and audience appreciation. Your suggestions start the scenes, your approval crowns the winner!  To keep the improvisers honest, our referee will monitor the action, awarding points for stellar play. And if the improvisers stumble, watch out for the yellow flag and loss of points.

Show starts at 7:30 at the ARTS at Marks Garage, and it goes down EVERY WEDNESDAY.  The performer lineup is constantly changing to incorporate the island’s best improvisers and special guests, so the only guarantee is a hilarious time.  This is a family-friendly show (with penalties awarded for the occasional slip-up) – come one, come all!

Best of all, this show is FREE!

About OTS Improv (from otsimprov.com):

On The Spot Improv is Hawaii’s longest running improv group. Established 2001, On the Spot from Aiea Hawaii, have been entertaining audiences all across the country with their unique brand of improvised theater. The group has been called one of the most innovative improv groups in the world by Chicago Improv Festival Executive Producer Jonathan Pitts for their unique approach to improvised theatre. Their signature style incorporates narrative storytelling, minimal dialog, and strong blocking to create cinematic images to tell complex stories.

OTS made a name for themselves in the national improv community creating several original genre-esque formats, such as their improvised macabre show “Tell Tale Dreadful,” their improvised homage to the master of suspense “Hitchcock,” their playful 1920’s live action silent movie show “HUSH.”

They Have performed all over the country such as the Austin Out of Bounds Comedy Festival, Phoenix Improv Festival, Chicago Improv Festival, and recently at the Seattle Festival of Improv Theater.

Currently the ON THE SPOT is a full time partner with Hawaii Academy of Performing Arts / ARTS at Marks. Along with performing monthly improv shows, On the Spot also teaches on going improv classes, Produces a yearly scripted play, and host the annual Improvaganza Hawaii festival of Improv all from their home base at the ARTS at Marks Garage located in the Heart of the Honolulu Chinatown Arts District. (1159 Nuuanu Ave.Honolulu Hi, 96813)

Mr. Aaron Presents Improv Classes for All

by

Join the founding members of improv team Think Fast as they teach a fun Short Form Improv Class at The Loading Zone Arts, 7:30pm – 9:30pm, $10/class, every Thursday throughout the month of January.

Learn:

  • Great skills to apply in your day-to-day life: communication, trust, support, agreement, confidence, and teamwork
  • Short form/theater games
  • Long form styles
  • Acting techniques including scene work, character development, stage presence, listening, and more
  • Reminding you how to play again!

About the instructors: Larissa Nielsen, Rory Franzen, and David K. Jones are the founders of Think Fast, the flagship improv team of Mr. Aaron Presents.  Together they have  25 years of improvisation, acting, teaching, coaching, and managing.

No experience necessary.  Novices, beginners, and experienced players are welcomed to take our classes along our students.  Students will learn improv techniques from their performance, and our advance performers will learn from you!  We are firm believers that this is a great way to learn the art of improvisation, which has been tested and proved over and over again.

Loading Zone Arts

47 N. Hotel Street

7:30pm-9:30pm

$10 drop-in class

www.mraaronpresents.net

Improvhi presents…Happy Birthday Kimee Show!

by

It’s Kimee’s birthday…YAY! And it’s the holiday season…YAY!

Join us for our last show of 2013! We’ll have improv, sketch, jams, cake and MORE!

It’s been a great year and we are super stoked to announce some goodies coming up for 2014. It’s gonna be our BEST year yet!

Let’s be like Kool and the gang and CELEBRATE!!

 

A Benefit Variety Show!

by

Join us at the Arts at Marks as we raise money for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Featuring:
MUSIC PERFORMANCES BY:
ALI ALDCROFT
KIMEE BALMILERO
MIGUEL CADOY
R KEVIN DOYLE & SEAN TC O’MALLEY AS “COUNTRY MATTERS”
JOHN LEBLANC
MELINA LILLIOS
KI QUILLOY

POETRY BY:
AARON PATINIO

IMPROV COMEDY BY:
ON THE SPOT
IMPROVHI

HOSTED BY:
KIMEE BALMILERO

SAVE THE DATE. MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW!

Mr. Aaron presents “Think Fast!”: Aloha Rachel

by

Mr.Aaron Presents a free night of improv fun with Think Fast, every second Friday at the Loading Zone, Chinatown starting at 8pm.

Join us as Think Fast! wishes one of their improvisers, Rachel Kesselman, farewell and aloha.  She’s picked her favorite short form games to play and is raring to rock out her last improv performance in Hawaii! Click here for our Facebook event!

Think Fast is a collection of students and experienced improvisers from the Adult Short Form Improv Program of Mr.Aaron Presents.  These improvisers are versed in the art of short form and long form improvisation.

Shows can vary from:

  • Showcases of local improv teams
  • Friendly theater sport competitions
  • Short Form Marathons
  • Specialty Long Forms
  • Mash-up / Team-up jams!

Tickets are FREE!

If you are an improviser or improv team looking to play, contact us through our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mraaronpresents or send us an email at mraaronpresents@gmail.com 

We invite one and all to play!