MOMENT! 2019: 8th International Improv Festival Vienna

VIENNA IS BACK ON THE INTERNATIONAL IMPROV MAP!

TAG – Theater an der Gumpendorfer Straße in Vienna produces passionate and entertaining contemporary theatre with a special focus on improv theatre and hereby proudly announces the

8th INTERNATIONAL IMPROV FESTIVAL VIENNA 2019 (Oct. 3rd – 8th, 2019)

MOMENT! IMPROV FESTIVAL’s international ensemble will perform daily shows at 7.30 pm. Each night a different set of players hits the stage and the audience can expect vivid performances unique in their matchless constellation of improv stars from all over the world alongside the TAG SPORT-VOR-ORT-ALLSTARS.

The Festival ensemble is excited to be creating incredible, unexpected and lasting MOMENTs for you!

ARTISTS LINE-UP

Laura Doorneweerd-Perry (NL)
Katie Freudenschuss (DE)
Nele Kießling (DE)
Feña Ortalli (AR)
Jonathan Pitts (US)
Patti Stiles (AU)
Lee White (CA)

and the THE TAG SPORT-VOR-ORT-ALLSTARS

the MOMENT! Festival is hosted by Jim Libby

SHOWS

Thursday Oct. 3rd
NABELSHOW presented by Jim Libby

Life entertains us best.
Let’s face it: life itself tells the most beautiful stories! True life, when given that special frame, is more adventurous, romantic and overwhelming than any fiction or kitsch novel.
In this show the MOMENT! Ensemble presents itself to the audience: Jim Libby interviews the international improv stars to tell a story about their life. The other improvisers associate along this story, reflect, exaggerate and alienate it to create a new and original drama in the truest sense of the word.

ANY GIVEN DAY presented by Feña Ortalli

The birthday of a member of the audience is the trigger for a series of scenes inspired by different historical events that took place on that day throughout history. Any given day expores the infinite posibilities of improvisation through short scenes in which the dialogues and character relations play a fundamental role. 

Friday Oct. 4th
COUPLES presented by Nele Kießling

Imagine a couch and a whole bunch of mess in relationships: In her format Nele Kießling hooks everybody of the festival ensemble to somebody, and sends them all to a couple therapy. All these pairs couldn’t be more different, they’ve got their own language, their own misunderstandings and needs. And for all of them the word love means something different... On stage they will love, suffer and fight (in French, Dutch, German and English.)

RADIO LUV presented by Jim Libby

While some claim that the internet would mean the end of radio, the MOMENT! Ensemble celebrates an improvised homage to the radio: RADIO LUV.
Radio LUV is in the air and it is on air all day and all night, with everything that comes with it. Radio LUV plays the best music of yesterday, today and tomorrow! Tune in for news, reports, interviews and award-winning radio plays. Call Radio LUV if you have any questions or want to tell your story, Radio LUV has all the answers and the best tips from clever expert. Radio LUV is here for you!

Saturday Oct. 5th
FOUR ROOMS (Part 1+2) presented by Lee White

Ever wondered what goes on behind the doors of a hotel room? Watch this newbie page boy get drawn into the stories of his unique hotel guests… 
A hotel clerk's first night shift. Four rooms calling for service, one after the other, and the page boy soon realizes: It’s no ordinary night! These hotel guests aren't just asking for a bottle of wine… 
Funny, spooky or deeply touching: an improvised journey bringing you four rooms with four stories. 
An improv show based on the 1995 movie "Four Rooms", originally directed by Anders, Rockwell, Rodriguez and Tarantino. Come watch us make up the sequel!

SCHNITTSTELLE – The International Showcase Ensemble presents GHOST OF LOVE Created and Directed by Laura Doorneweerd-Perry

A show of multiple love stories: young, old, passionate, bored, budding, recovering, familiar and unusual. Romantic relationships are filled with words and actions - but maybe even more with what is not said, what is not heard, and what is not expressed. Which secrets do we hold from each other? What big emotions are we afraid to show? Where does our mind wander to?

Ghost of Love was developed for Improvaganza 2016 (Canada), and performed in Tel Aviv (Israel), at Stumptown Improv Festival 2017 (USA), IMPRO Amsterdam 2018 and Improvised Play Festival 2019 (USA).

Sunday Oct. 6th
THE ORACLE (Part 1+2) presented by Jonathan Pitts

The Oracle seeks to answer a question using group improv work. This form and improvisational process features an improviser as the priest/priestess of the Oracle, and the other improvisers as the Delphi, the trance talkers of the Oracle. After a question that can not be answered by the priest or priestess is found, the Delphi begin a series of improvised monologues, performance, poetry, scene work, and story-telling focusing on various aspects of the question and explored in several aspects and layers. As the improvisers as the Delphi create patterns revolving around the theme of the question. When the improviser playing the priest or priestess sees a metaphor from those patterns, they stop the Delphi and answer the question given to the Oracle. 

Monday Oct. 7th
MOMENTOS DE LA VIDA! (Part 1+2) presented by Patti Stiles

Momentos de la Vida! blends together improvisational storytelling and photography. Rich in the texture of black and white imagery. Engaging, uplifting, tender and joyous.
This format was created by Patti Stiles with Secret Impro Theatre.  Patti wanted to explore a show that stimulated the imagination of the improvisors differently and did not rely on language as the starting offer. Momentos de la Vida means Moments of Life. A photographer has a moment in which they see and then capture that image or moment.  We, performers and audience, all share a moment as we first see this image and then watch the moment to moment of the improvisation scene unfolding.  We share a moment together as the photo is brought to life, through improvisation performance. The idea of improvising with photos was first sparked in Patti through an exploration by Jenny Lovell.
Momentos De La Vida has been performed in Melbourne Australia, Rome Italy, Leece Italy, Milan Italy and Bogota Colombia.

Tuesday Oct. 8th
THE FEROCIOUS TEN presented Laura Doorneweerd-Perry

Imagine a combination of Ghostbusters, the Fantastic Four and Jason Bourne in a brand spanking new theatre show called...
A talented cast of performers will give you a bad-ass improv show, in which the story is told of a group of 10 heroines collaborating to battle evil. If you like cool characters and exciting action, you will love seeing these performers jump, move, chase, defuse, fight and basically... Kick ass. 

P(L)AYIN’ THE BILLS presented by Katie Freudenschuss

The audience is asked to contribute receipts stored deep down in their wallets. Two or three of these receipts will serve as the source of inspiration for this musical improv long form. Seemingly commonplace purchases serve to unfold two different storylines – enriched with songs ranging from sentimental little thoughts to powerful musical acts. Maybe the two storylines might meet and fuse into one or maybe they stay separate – each a story of itself. Either way: You’ll be surprised how a tiny piece of paper in your wallet will be the initial spark of a magical night.

WORKSHOPS

3 hrs WORKSHOP for BEGINNERS
3.30 pm–6.30 pm
Fees: € 50 / Workshop

THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SONG
with Katie Freudenschuss
Friday Oct. 4th, 2019
Rehearsal Room TAG – Gumpendorfer Str. 67/4, 1060 Vienna

When is the right moment for a song in an improv show?
How do I build a song from scratch? What topic should I sing about?
What should the chorus be like?
How can we as a choir support the actors and actresses?
In this workshop Katie Freudenschuss presents a set of tools to strengthen the improv players’ confidence when onstage they hear „Freeze! This sounds like a song!“.

STATUS AND MASTER SERVANT
with Patti Stiles
Saturday Oct. 5th, 2019
Rehearsal Room TAG – Gumpendorfer Str. 67/4, 1060 Vienna

Status play happens continually in life.  It is a form of silent communication, significant in how we relate to and are affected by people everyday.  We are constantly relating and adjusting our status.  On stage relationships look void of any really connection when status play is not present. Master Servant work is anchored in status.  It is the understanding of status play and the ability to raise and lower each others status which can build tension or create comedy.  It is an important technique to have in your impro tool kit.

STORIES ARE FOR HUMANS
with Lee White
Sunday Oct. 6th, 2019
Rehearsal Room TAG – Gumpendorfer Str. 67/4, 1060 Vienna

This workshop shows you how to create your scenes moment by moment, helping you to develop the skills for storytelling and strong characters. The scene work is the basic building block of any show. Lee helps you to recognize bad habits in your improvisation and gives you the tools to get out of them, helping you break down storytelling to its simplest and driving you to make them as complex and colourful as your imagination lets you.
 

FEMINISM FOR DUMMIES
with Laura Doorneweerd-Perry
Monday Oct. 7th, 2019

A workshop for improvisers who want to take the next step in their choice for topics and characters. We will work on how to speak to not just a subgroup but the entire audience. You will learn how to make truly interesting choices: to go beyond the cliches and play scenes that matter.

So if you are curious how a sexy lamp can create a better world, then definitely join in!
 

CHARACTERS ´R US
with Jonathan Pitts
Tuesday Oct. 8th, 2019
Rehearsal Room TAG – Gumpendorfer Str. 67/4, 1060 Vienna

Improv characters are microwaved rather than slow cooked like in scripted plays, so you can create, do and find many more through your physicality. This workshop uses a variety of physical exercises for the improviser to immediately develop a wide range of characters. These exercises also include finding the character’s voice and exercises to incorporate a variety of characters in the same walking environment.

3 hrs WORKSHOP for ADVANCED IMPROVISERS
3.30 pm–6.30 pm
Fees: € 50 / Workshop

THE CHALLENGE - fully booked/waitlist
with Nele Kießling
Thursday Oct. 3rd, 2019
Rehearsal Room TAG – Gumpendorfer Str. 67/4, 1060 Vienna

You will play, you will get focus, you will be observed, you will feel pressure, you will survive.
This workshop is a snapshot of you and your challenge today.
This workshop is fast, fun and against the rules.
Sign in and be surprised.
That‘s improv.
Smile and Go.

MEET LONG FORM
with Lee White
Friday Oct. 4th, 2019
LYMA – Loquaiplatz 12 Top 1, 1060 Vienna

Lee will guide you through some basic long form structures to give you a taste of the complicated but exhilarating world of long form improv. This workshop covers story timing, simple story frameworks and character development. Even if you have been doing long forms for years, this is a great workshop to get new perspectives and inspiration.

TINY GLASS PERSON
with Feña Ortalli
Tuesday Oct. 8th, 2019
VHS Festsaal – Königseggasse 10, 1060 Vienna

Based on Gianni Rodari’s „Grammatica della fantasia“ chapter where he explains how to create characters based on different elements. In this class we will work the infinite possibilities and combinations of elements, objects, animals, sensations and feelings to achieve stronger and deeper characters.

5 hrs WORKSHOP for ADVANCED IMPROVISERS 
1.30 pm–6.30 pm
Fees: € 80 / Workshop

SCENE WORK: THE CHICAGO WAY
with Jonathan Pitts
Saturday Oct. 5th, 2019
LYMA – Loquaiplatz 12 Top 1, 1060 Vienna

Chicago is famous for grounded, honest, relationship-based improvisation scene work that produces deep laughs and deep sighs as the audience is moved to both. This style of work requires acting, listening, openness, patience, and responding through a shared process of give and take. This workshop will feature a deep dive into this process of two-person scene work that will bring improvisers discovery upon discovery. As those shared discoveries pile up, the improvised scene becomes deep, full and funny. It’s the Chicago way.

SCENES THAT MATTER  - fully booked/waitlist
with Patti Stiles
Sunday Oct. 6th, 2019
LYMA – Loquaiplatz 12 Top 1, 1060 Vienna

We live in a complex, complicated and extraordinary world. Humans are capable of the most amazing heroic and horrific actions. What one person may see as rational and necessary another sees as an act of prejudice or violence. Our values, views, morality and beliefs colour our interpretation. Improvisational theatre can provoke the audience to question their own beliefs by shining a light on stories from a different point of view. Where the unimaginable becomes understandable and the wrong may seem right.

Improvisers are often afraid to engage in the stories that reflect life around us. This workshop challenges participants to play scenes based on the dark and light of humanity.

Please note: this workshop uses subject material and language that may be confronting and difficult for some people.

3-day WORKSHOP for ADVANCED IMPROVISERS
SCHNITTSTELLE – The International Showcase Ensemble – fully booked/waitlist

TAG and Laura Doorneweerd-Perry will cast a group of advanced players who’ll have the possibility to train with Laura Doorneweerd-Perry during the MOMENT! Festival 2019 and perform GHOST OF LOVE on stage on Saturday Oct. 5th, 2019.

„LOVE & THE BODY“
Love scenes are great to see but can be difficult to play. With using your body, you can tell the entire story. We will use principles from dance, contact improvisation and physical theatre to get into your body and out of your head. We will focus on trust, body awareness, taking your time and intimacy. And then we can start … 
To touch, to move, to be touched and to be moved. 

Oct. 3rd–Oct. 5th, 2019
Fees: € 190