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IMPRO 2016: Improvised Theatre Festival Comes to Berlin

“Borders. Limits. Liberty.” is the Theme of the 2016 Festival to Reflect the Ongoing Refugee Crisis

March 24th, 2016
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From the 11th to 20th March 2016, Die Gorillas were hosting the 15th annual Improvised Theatre Festival (IMPRO) in Berlin. Over the years, IMPROV has become one of the largest and one of the most important festivals of its kind in Europe. Good improvisational theater is meant to mirror its time, and thus IMPRO 2016, the international festival for improvisation was dedicated to all those who are hoping for a better life outside of their home country. This year, the theme of the IMPRO festival was “Borders. Limits. Liberty.” Organizers invited improvisers from Algeria, Lebanon and Syria, professional improvising artists as well as amateurs to provide them with the opportunity to improve. IMPRO was held at a number of locations including; Baptistengemeinde Schöneberg, Bühnenrausch, English Theatre Berlin | International Performing Arts Center, the Volksbühne’s Grüner Salon, the Ratibor Theater, and at ufa Fabrik, with a colourful mix of 5-6 improvisers at each location.

On the 12th March a campaign day called "Improv Without Borders" was organized, where improv theatre was put on for the benefit of refugees, not just on six Berlin stages, but all over the world. Farah Shaer and Lucien Bourjeily (both from the Lebanon), Tarek Kannish (Syria) and Raouf Khelifa (Algeria) were explaining their everyday life to their colleagues in a themed workshop. "Freedom Game", a new format and idea by Rudy Redl (Gorillas), explored the effects of freedom and limitation.

Die Gorillas said “We love the art of improvisation. In improvisational theatre, there is a strong interaction between actors and audience. Whatever happens on stage is based in one way or another on suggestions coming from the audience. Improv theater is direct, lively, spontaneous – every show is a one-time experience.’’

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Photos: Courtesy of © Berlin Bühnen
News from Berlin
Urška Čelig, Berlin Global