Sessions at SXSW Interactive 2012 about Improvisation

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Friday 9th March 2012

• Change Happens: Improv for an Unpredictable World

  by Amanda Hirsch and Jordan Hirsch

  "You're fired."
  "The test results are positive."
  "We're out of beer." Change happens - how you handle it is up to you. Improv can help. In past SXSW workshops, we've explored how the lessons of improv comedy apply to everyday life and business. This year, we'll focus on how improv can increase your adaptability - a critical skill in today's workforce, not to mention, key to maintaining your sanity in our unpredictable, fast-changing world. Learn how the skills actors and musicians use to invent on the fly can help reduce stress and make you a positive, unflappable leader, no matter what your career path, station in life, or zodiac sign. Come join us for a session filled with games, laughs, and interactive discussion grounded in real-world examples. You'll leave armed with skills you can use the next time the world throws you a curve ball (i.e. immediately). Marcus Aurelius said, "The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it." We couldn't agree more.

  • Improvisation

  At 2:00pm to 3:00pm, Friday 9th March

  In Brazos, Marriott Courtyard Austin Downtown/Convention Center

  Coverage audio clip slide deck

Saturday 10th March 2012

• And I Am NOT Lying at SXSW

  by Jeff Simmermon and Thaler Pekar

  The folks from the And I Am Not Lying blog (andiamnotlying.com) cock-rock the NPR crowd with the best underground comedy, storytelling and sideshow acts. Hailing from NYC, this special event crams 15 apeloads of fun into one tent with story and improv workshops, a variety show, free beer and plenty of laughing and shouting.

  • Comedy
  • Improvisation
  • Party
  • Storytelling

  At 11:00am to 6:00pm, Saturday 10th March

  In Colorado, Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown

• Applied Improvisation: Preparing to Be Unprepared

  by Brad Temple

  Let's face it: life rarely happens exactly as planned. Unforeseen opportunities, setbacks, and other variables can (and often do) wreak havoc on even the best-laid plans. How do you adjust? Improvise! We'll extract the key principles of improvisational theory and learn how they apply to our everyday lives. Furthermore, we'll spend the majority of our time looking at some current examples of how improvisation is reshaping our professional landscape.

  • Improvisation

  At 1:30pm to 1:45pm, Saturday 10th March

  In Texas Ballroom 4-7, Hyatt Regency Austin

Tuesday 13th March 2012

• UCB Comedy presents: All-Stars of Improv

  The best improvisers in the country come together to put on an irreverent show made up on the spot, featuring performers from the acclaimed theater’s Los Angeles and New York outposts.
  Chris Gethard
  Shannon O’Neill
  Joe Wengert
  Katie Dippold
  Pete Holmes

  • Comedy
  • Improvisation

  At 8:00pm to 9:45pm, Tuesday 13th March

  In Esther's Follies