Improv All-Stars
Over the past several years, Portland's improv scene has reached national and global recognition on the circuit. Discover for yourself as some of PDX’s finest improvisers hit the stage for a one-night salute to the West Coast premiere of A Life, by Adam Bock. Improvisation inspired by the themes and ideas from Portland Center Stage's commissioned production.
Run time 90 minutes, no intermission.
Beau Brousseau:
Beau has been on the improv stage since 1993. He is an ensemble member of the Brody Theater (as well as host for its popular Sunday night show, Diabolical Experiments), performs corporate and private event shows with Brainwaves Improvisational Comedy, and brings improv to business globally as a consultant with On Your Feet, LLC.
Brad Fortier:
Brad's performance and teaching career has taken him across the globe. He has performed and taught in the US, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Finland, and Slovenia. Brad got his start as a member of Portland’s Brody Theater from 1996 to 2012. He has a masters degree in the interdisciplinary study of the anthropology of improvised theater from PSU. As an anthropologist, Brad continues his research on improvised theater and its social, psychological, and neurological benefits for people. He gave a talk at the 2010 Applied Improvisation Network’s Conference in Amsterdam on his research, as well as AIN Portland 2009 on how the brain is affected by improvisation.
Katie Nguyen:
Katie Nguyen writes and performs stand-up, improv, sketch, and more. She has opened for Matt Braunger, Ron Funches, has performed on Live Wire! Radio, and across the country at festivals including SF Sketchfest, Asheville, 10,000 Laughs, Out of Bounds, Stumptown, All Jane, and Bridgetown. Katie performed on the ensemble of the Brody Theater for years and is an instructor at Deep End Theater. She hosts the weekly show Earthquake Hurricane, and has twice been named one of the Portland Mercury's Geniuses of Comedy.
Lisa Brousseau:
Lisa was a long-time ensemble member at the Brody Theater, where she hosted the all-women improv jam show “Ladies DE.” She can be seen on improv stages around town with the groups Gladys Kravitz, Brainwaves, Broad Selection, and Boom! She also plays the role of Mother in the production of "Two Wild Little Boys" along with her husband, Beau.
Nicholas Kessler:
Nicholas is an actor, comedian and improviser. He is the host of OPB’s The Moth StorySlam and GrandSlam live storytelling shows. He has appeared in many of the filmed-in-Portland TV shows, and performs live at The Siren Theater and PCS. He is thrilled to be reprising his role as Bob Cratchit in Twist Your Dickens at The Armory this holiday season. When not on stage, Nicholas is a Communication Coach, helping local doctors and police officers increase the value of the time they spend with the people they serve.
Shelley McClendon:
Shelley is the Boss at The Siren Theater and at Bad Reputation Productions, who brought you Road House: The Play!, The Lost Boys-Live!, and Poltergeist Live! She is a founding member of the critically acclaimed improv troupe The Liberators, and currently makes things up with The Siren Theater Improv Giants in addition to performing sketch comedy with The Aces and Sedan. She has performed in improv, sketch comedy, and storytelling shows in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
Note: This improv night is in tribute to A Life and will not feature any of the cast members of the show.
Current & Upcoming
Improvisation Classes for Beginners
Whether you're looking to get more confident in social situations, think quicker on your feet, or get in touch with your imaginative side, these "one-off" improv classes will set you on the path to success!
Adult Class : TWELFTH NIGHT, Before & After
Join veteran actor Joe Costa for a unique opportunity to take a “deep dive” into both Shakespeare’s text of Twelfth Night, and the PCS Production. Participants will read the play out loud as a group, with “intermissions” provided for lively discussion of themes and content. Interested participants will have a chance to act in selected scenes, guided by the instructor.
Improv Comedy: Love, Shakespeare
Witness the Magic of unscripted Elizabethan comedy! Step into the offbeat world of Love, Shakespeare, where seasoned Portland comedians attempt something audacious: performing a fully improvised Elizabethan play based on your suggestions!
Albina Music Trust presents A Brown Branch Christmas
Celebrate this holiday season with A Brown Branch Christmas at Portland Center Stage. Now in its fourth season, this two-night big band celebration features directors Domo Branch and Charlie Brown III guiding a heavy 15-piece lineup of regional and national musicians.
BIPOC Affinity Night DJ Party with ALoSo
Join us for a double feature BIPOC Affinity Night, featuring a live DJ set by ALoSo, plus holiday craft market vendor tables, art exhibits by Albina Music Trust Wall to Wall Sound and Jason Hill's Favorite Things, with complimentary select drinks provided by Multnomah Whiskey Library and Deschutes Brewery while supplies last.
Winter Teen Academy: Scene Work
Calling all teens! Are you looking to expand your acting skills and be the best scene partner you can be for your fellow actors? In this class, we will dig deep into scene study, character motivation, and active listening, while learning the necessary questions to ask in every rehearsal situation. You'll develop fuller characters and deeper relationships on stage by partnering in scene work — and have lots of fun too!
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
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