APRIL 2008

Taking Improv In New Directions


High above San Francisco Bay on the third floor in Fort Mason Center’s Building B, lively performers entertain audiences in the Bayfront Theater at BATS Improv. Nearly every weekend night and at many other times during the week, BATS players offer clever improvised productions inspired by everything from film noir to Shakespeare.

The fun-filled shows are just one aspect of the multifaceted BATS approach to improv, which includes classes, workshops, and tournaments, as well as youth, corporate, and health-related programs.

Building The Improv Community
Founded in 1986 in San Francisco by aspiring improv artists, Bay Area Theatresports (BATS) moved to Fort Mason Center in 1997. In 2005, BATS completed a major renovation of its 200-seat Bayfront Theater by adding wheelchair access, plush new seats, and a swanky lobby and concession area.



For more than 20 years, the talented staff and performers at BATS have spread the word about the benefits of improv to Bay Area audiences, business people, and students through amusing shows and stimulating classes and workshops.

In February 2008, BATS welcomed new Executive Director Brent Sverdloff to the improv family. Sverdloff is a veteran performer and communications expert with innovative ideas for building relationships between BATS and local arts and healthcare communities to take the group into new program areas.

“I really respect the artistic integrity of the company,” said Sverdloff. One of his plans is to develop “active partnerships with cultural organizations to bring academic subjects to more vibrant life,” such as “looking at a painting and doing improv about it.”

Mixing It Up With Improv
There is a lot of momentum at BATS to fuel Sverdloff’s dreams for the organization. BATS shows and programs are a big hit with Bay Area audiences. San Francisco Bay Guardian readers have voted BATS “Best of the Bay” in various categories 10 times since 1998, including “Best First Date Spot” in 2006.

Romance is a recurring theme at BATS, where a variety of shows explore the perils and pleasures of dating. San Francisco’s 7x7 Magazine awarded BATS recognition as “Most Spontaneous Date Night” in 2006. Audiences and workshop participants are interested in face-to-face interactions and personal growth, which meshes well with Sverdloff’s vision for BATS.

In an “improv manifesto” letter to BATS staff, Sverdloff noted that more and more people interact through Internet social networking tools such as MySpace and Facebook. However, too much interaction via computer and not enough actual face time can cause isolation and depression.

“People of all ages need to be shaken out of their virtual stupor and learn to re-engage — and improv shows and workshops can be that gateway back to civilization,” said Sverdloff in his letter.

Improv can also help students develop critical thinking skills, according to Sverdloff. He finds that active participation in improv can enhance memory and mental and physical agility. Improv could offer benefits to a wide range of individuals — from Alzheimer patients to students, Sverdloff said.

Sverdloff hopes to expand Laughing Stock, a BATS hospital-based program that helps people with serious illnesses, their partners, and caregivers explore the healing power of improv.

“We want to show the relevance of improv to people from all walks of life,” said Sverdloff.

Playing With Improv Possibilities
BATS has already put some of the new ideas into motion with fresh shows and classes hitting the stage in Spring 2008. The new Youth Performance Series offers local schools free improv shows where BATS Improv artists create spontaneous theater from students’ ideas and answer questions about the art of improv. An Improv for Business People class teaches individuals how to be spontaneous, flexible, and open to growth through the magic of improv.

Hilarious new shows are on the bill to supplement the impressive lineup of crowd pleasers that have made BATS an improv legend. March saw a variety of movie-themed improv shows. April is dedicated to musicals.

“They are a well-oiled machine,” Sverdloff said of the BATS performers. “They take cues from each other to move together.”

Summer really heats up at BATS with the annual theatresports tournament, intensive adult improv sessions, and great summer improv camps for 11- to 17-year olds. BATS frequently hosts guest improv groups, such as the incredibly popular 3 For All.

“They can do anything,” Sverdloff said about the BATS team. “They have an infinite arsenal of games and strategies and an endless variety of approaches to improv.”

— Claudia Willen

For more about BATS, read “Stars of the Improv Universe”.

Images:
BATS stage, Photo: Bradford Gregory
BATS performers, Photo: Jenn Dorn
Brent Sverdloff, BATS Improv Executive Director, Photo: Bradford Gregory