2019 Full Program
Day 1
03 May 2019
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Lobby Outside of Wehr Auditorium
2:00 pm - 2:20 pm
Wehr Auditorium
Welcoming and Introduction
The conference will start with some planned time to mingle and get to know your fellow improvisers. We'll have some things planned to make it easy to break the ice -- but you all are improvisers, so this should be easy!
Devotion — Will Branch
Will Branch
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Wehr Auditorium
A Quick Study in the Art of Slow Comedy – Jimmy Carrane
In this session, we’ll explore a more honest approach to improvisation, which teaches students that before they can be funny they need to be real. And guess what? You will... Read More
Jimmy Carrane
17:30 - 19:00
Dinner Break – On Your Own
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Wehr Auditorium
Showcase Show
Comedians from Fish Sticks Comedy’s Dallas and Milwaukee troupes will perform together. This performance is open to the public and is part of the conference admission.
7:15 pm - 10:00 pm
Loeber 118
Improv Lounge
The Improv Lounge is new for the 2019 conference. The idea is relatively simple: gather with your fellow improvisers to hang out or to chat about a number of topics... Read More
Day 2
04 May 2019
8:45 am - 9:00 am
Wehr Auditorium
Intro to Improv Track — Session 1
You will receive high level instruction in the basics of improvisational comedy from experienced improvisers. Whether you want to brush up on the fundamentals or are starting from a clean... Read More
Smiley Alfaro
Enough Said – Shawn Patrello & Jay Coleson
A slip of paper with a premise and a randomly chosen piece of music from Jay Coleson, improvisational keyboardist with Fish Sticks in Dallas, will provide the players with all... Read More
Shawn Patrello
Jay Coleson
Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Body — Taylor Wingerter
Do you find yourself in scenes that aren’t going anywhere — and start to get more and more in your head and can’t get out? Although you’re a clever performer,... Read More
Taylor Wingerter
Intro to Improv Track — Session 2
You will receive high level instruction in the basics of improvisational comedy from experienced improvisers. Whether you want to brush up on the fundamentals or are starting from a clean... Read More
Smiley Alfaro
Having Fun While Getting the Job Done — Mike Kauth
This workshop encourages you to not take yourself or improv too seriously. Let's play with one another, embrace our sillier sides, do BIG characters, support each other, play games, and learn to exist in crazier scenes. Let's remember to have fun while getting the job.
Mike Kauth
Making the Other Person Look Good — Part 1
It is a common mantra in improv that we should “make the other person look good.” It’s consistent with the ethos that should be present in any pairing or group... Read More
Whit Shiller – Past Conferences
12:00 - 13:00
Lunch Break
Making Freestyle Fun(ny) — Jeremy Bryan
In this session, we’ll compose a simple rhythm and melody on a drum machine and engage writing and improv exercises that will help each participant develop their own freestyle flow,... Read More
Jeremy Bryan
Surprise Yourself/Unleash Your Improv — Kevin Mullaney
When you improvise, do you surprise yourself? In this workshop, we will explore adding a little chaos into your scenes on purpose.
Kevin Mullaney
Shift your Scenes from Neutral into Drive — John Guarnero
Whether it’s “talking heads” or just plain boring, no one wants a scene that’s stuck in the mud. Engaging scenes move, they have pacing, and they take the players and the audience for a ride. In this session, we’ll explore how to get your scenes driving forward on the track.
John Guarnero – Past Conferences
Three for the Show
A well-executed 3-person scene is a joy to behold, and rewarding for the performers, however it presents challenges. How to insert, accept, communicate, and share within the scene requires skill,... Read More
Dylan Bolin
5:45 pm - 7:00 pm
Dinner Break
Dinner on your own.
New Games Workshop
This combination of improv jam and learning new games has always been a fun part of the conference! Enjoy the fun!
John Guarnero – Past Conferences
Shawn Patrello
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Loeber 118
Improv Lounge
The Improv Lounge is new for the 2019 conference. The idea is relatively simple: gather with your fellow improvisers to hang out or to chat about a number of topics... Read More
Light Touch Scenework Dojo
Work with people you’ve never met or work with your teammates on something new or something tried and true. This particular Dojo is for those who would like a lighter... Read More
Dave Rust
Eric Craddock
Unvarnished Truth Scenework Dojo
Work with people you’ve never met or work with your teammates on something new or something tried and true. This particular Dojo is for those who would like to hear... Read More
Taylor Wingerter
Smiley Alfaro
Whit Shiller
Virtual Conference
$75.00
This ticket is for access to portions of the conference that will be streamed
Special opportunities to interact with overall conference, too
Programming will be delivered over Zoom
This programming will be developing!
Student Rate
$50.00
Attend All Sessions
Improv Jams
Table Talk Sessions
New Games Workshop
$50 Fee Covers it All!
For College & HS Students & Recent Grads
Full Conference
$175.00
Featured!
Attend All Sessions
Improv Jam
New Games Workshop
Table Talk Sessions
$150 Fee Covers it All!
Price Increases 4/1 to $175
Intro to Improv Track
$50.00
Admission to Saturday Retro Improv Night
Improv Lounge Sessions
Introductory Workshops on
Saturday Morning
Designed for the Novice
and Complete Newbie!