Improv with Issues – Intensive Learning @ MFS

Our Last Day of Improv with Issues

April 1, 2016April 14, 2016Blog Editor

Today we worked with our techniques on the issues of gender diversity and body image. Below are some parting thoughts about the week from our group members: “I enjoyed the spectrum activity as it sparked vital conversations about the MFS community.” “It was interesting how we could all understand the same concepts even though...

The Art of Improv

March 31, 2016March 31, 2016Blog Editor

Today we discussed peer pressure and parties through a variety of improvisational exercises and scenes. We practiced our “pure improv” skills (as opposed to improv comedy) and we revisited the “Five Frames” activity we learned from Pig Iron Theatre Company. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch at Akira full of group bonding. We look...

Improv With Issues: Education & Sculptures

March 30, 2016March 31, 2016Blog Editor

Today we tackled the first of several social issues we’ll explore this week: HIV/AIDS. After focusing with a warm up and activities, we clarified our knowledge about HIV/AIDS, including the history of the pandemic in the U.S. and the world. We watched the movie Philadelphia and gained an understanding of the prejudice surrounding HIV and the...

Reflecting on our trip to Pig Iron

March 30, 2016March 30, 2016Blog Editor

This morning, we reflected on our time spent yesterday with members of Pig Iron Theatre Company in Philadelphia. Our teachers, Dito, Alex and Olivia, worked with us on creating original pieces of theatre. We started the day with games and activities that made us aware of our own physical selves and our connections to...

A Day with Pig Iron

March 29, 2016March 29, 2016Blog Editor

We spent the day with Pig Iron Theatre Company in Philadelphia — we got back right at the end of the school day, but look for a full blog post tomorrow morning detailing our experience!...

Improv With Issues: Game Day

March 28, 2016March 28, 2016Blog Editor

For our first day, we played games to get to know one another, to build community and trust, and to get our energy focused. Here are some thoughts from the group: “I felt like I knew everybody much better by the end of the day.” “We learned to have faith in each other.” “We...

Welcome to Improv with Issues!

March 24, 2016March 24, 2016Blog Editor

We are so excited to explore issues, improv, and Starbucks. We’re looking forward to getting to work with professional actors in Philly, building trust and community, and getting out of our comfort zones. Stay tuned for updates next week as we play games, learn new techniques, and dive into important issues....