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improv & sketch comedy in hawaii

Improv & Sketch Comedy Classes and Shows in Honolulu!

The Scratch Paper Sketch Comedy Show – Fundraiser for the 2015 Hawaii Sketch Comedy Festival!

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Join us for our very first fundraiser for next year’s Hawaii Sketch Comedy Festival!

We are SUPER excited to get back on that good ‘ol sketch comedy horse with another round of the “Scratch Paper Sketch Comedy Show” at Kakaako Agora!

What’s the “Scratch Paper Sketch Comedy Show” you ask? Well…it’s kinda like a Saturday Night Live in Hawaii!

We chrerish the days of Rap Reiplinger and Booga Booga and wanna get back to it!

Comedy, Music and FUN!

Featuring original comedic lives sketches and videos by local writers and comedians.

$15 advanced tickets online ($20 at the door)

7:30pm – light pupus will be served
8:00pm show

All profits will go to StoryU Arts a division of the BBB Torch award winning non-profit The BizGym Foundation focusing on bringing performance skills to the workspace. StoryU Arts is the main producer of the Hawaii Sketch Comedy Festival.

For more info, contact: hi@hisketchfest.com

If YOU would like to submit your awesome original sketch…check us out here:
https://improvhi.com//sketch/

The Original Jams Improv Show in Kaka’ako!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

“O Captain! My Captain!”

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I’ve been in denial. It didn’t really, really hit me until today after talking to a friend that’s pretty shaken up about it. My heart starts racing just thinking about it. It’s really crazy to think about how well you know someone that you never really knew at all…

In the wake of Robin Williams’ passing, comedians, improvisers, actors, artists and fans are left wondering “Why?” or “How?”  As we remember his incredible body of work, these questions only get harder to answer.  Man, he was a genius! There’s literally no one else like him.  It would be hard for you to not know who he was and not love him.  Even a toddler would know who the Genie in “Aladdin” was and anyone alive during the late 70s will most definitely know who “Mork and Mindy” are.  To sit here and list all of the amazing things that he’s done in his career would take us forever…and probably even longer because we’d talk about all of these amazing moments he created in all of these amazing projects.  He was so loved an respected.  Why?  How?

Saying that Robin Williams was a brilliant performer is not news to anyone, so it’s not at all surprising that links to epic performances of his have been shared throughout the last few days, but the most incredible shares on social media that I’ve seen are the personal stories.  With lots of friends in the improv/comedy/acting community around the country, it’s really amazing to see how many lives he touched. Stories of how he inspired people…even if they never even met him.

Here’s a small collection of those personal stories…

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“I wanted to be just like him as an actor. One of the greatest compliments a director gave me was that I was a young Robin Williams. It made it even more meaningful given the fact that he knew Robin Williams.” – Brian McDonald

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Thank you for being an inspiration, hero, artist, teammate and person. We’ll never have another friend like you…

There’s really nothing more to say…except this:
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Charities that Robin Williams supported:
COMIC RELIEF
CHRISTOPER & DANA REEVE FOUNDATION
ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL

If you or someone you know is in a crisis call the National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273- 8255 (TALK)

(Shared by Kimee Balmilero, Head Sillypino at Improvhi)

The Original Jams Improv Show

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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!

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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!

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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

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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)