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Improv class offers people their chance to cut loose By Jennifer Nitson Ashland Daily Tidings Whether you're painfully shy or an exhibitionist craving attention, the hosts of the Improv.rs Anonymous training group say they've got what you need. The group, which meets Tuesdays at The Green Room Theater, offers training using improvisational games meant to foster creativity, spontaneity and enthusiasm, as well as strengthen narrative skills, according to Improv.rs Anonymous host Jacob Squirrel. "In the workshops we really try to create a welcoming, comfortable, safe environment," Squirrel said. "We get some people who are really shy. That's one of the reasons they come into the workshop, because that's what they're working on personally." In addition to teaching concepts such as creating routines and incorporating elements introduced by the audience on the fly, Improv.rs Anonymous also encourages participants to let go. "People in general have habitual controlling behaviors, and one of the big ones is saying no to being out of control," Squirrel said. "We have games that are specially designed to force players to be comfortable losing control. The positive side of training to be out of control is enthusiasm. Whatever comes up, be enthusiastic about it and accept it and see where it takes you." Improv.rs Anonymous host Joshua Heuertz describes improvisation as disposable theater. If a scene does not work, Heuertz' advice is to "ball it up, throw it over your shoulder, and let it go." "It's better to make bold choices and to fail beautifully than to worry about it," Heuertz said. Improv.rs Anonymous gets much of their inspiration from Keith Johnstone, an internationally recognized authority on improvisational theater and the originator of theater sports, in which improvisational theater gets competitive. "He wanted an audience who had the same kind of involvement in theater as they have in professional wrestling matches," Squirrel said. The training group also presents theater sports events at The Green Room. In December, Banana Fight Theater drew an enthusiastic audience of about 30 people whose job it was to shout ideas and lines as the two competing teams of improvisers created scenes and dialogue. After scenes were judged with audience votes of 'yea' or 'nay,' scorekeepers nailed bananas to a board to keep score. The recent Toast Fight Theater sold out and the upcoming Pickle Fight Theater will offer audience members another interactive theater experience and irreplaceable knowledge of what a pickle nailed to plywood looks like. Teams of Improv.rs Anonymous rivals will compete for the Spiked Toaster trophy at Pickle Fight Theater at 8 p.m., Feb. 28 at the Green Room Theater, 280 East Hersey St., Suite 1. For more information call Jacob Squirrel at: 488-2282. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -