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Improv
Formats
BATS
performs a variety of different improv formats. See the
show calendar for a complete schedule.
Theatresports™
- Our signature format. Invented by Keith Johnstone, Theatresports
is improvisation played as a sporting event. Two teams of
improvisers compete in a series of scenes, games, and challenges
vying for points awarded by three Olympic style judges (who
score each scene on a scale from one to five.) The audience
is involved throughout the show, shouting suggestions and
volunteers are usually invited to participate in one of
the rounds. At the end of the evening, the team with the
most points wins.
Throughout
the year, BATS holds several Theatresports tournaments where
teams compete in round robin play for the tournament championship.
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Micetro™
- Created by Keith Johnstone, Micetro is an improv elimination
format that includes directors. Up to sixteen improvisers
start the evening in numbered jersyes. The directors pull
numbers out of a hat to select small groups for each scene.
The director sets up the scenario for the scene and may
give the performers some side coaching. Of course, the audience
then decides how many points the group is awarded. Throughout
the show, the individuals with the lowest scores are removed.
At the end of the show, there will remain one person standing,
the Micetro!
Gorilla Theatre™ - Created by Keith Johnstone, Gorilla
Theatre is a "directed improv" format. Each improviser
in the show takes a turn at directing a scene. At the end
of the scene the audience decides if the director was successful
or not. The winner of the evening gets to spend the week
with the compan'‚s resident gorilla.
The Life Game™ - Created by Keith Johnstone, The
Life Game shows that everyone has a story. A person is interviewed
about their life. The improvisers involved show you how
and what happened.
Spontaneous Broadway - Created by Kat
Koppett in association with Freestyle Repertory
Theatre Co. in New York City. The show is a fictional "backers
audition" for a new Broadway musical. Before the show,
audience members fill out slips of paper with never-before-sung
song titles. Performers pull the names out of a basket and
improvise new Broadway musical numbers right there on the
spot. In the second half, the cast presents a full-length
musical based on the audience's favorite number.
Improvised Shakespeare -
A completely improvised stage play in the style of Shakespeare.
Double
Feature - Created by Rafe
Chase , Double Feature presents four actors creating
two completely original "improvised movies" which
unfold on stage simultaneously.
Improv and a Movie - The best of both short-form
and long-form improvisation. In the first half, five improvisers
create short improvised scenes and songs based on audience
suggestions. In the second half, the improvisers create
a longer 45-minute story based on a title from the adience.
The Harold - In this classic improv format created
by Del Close and Charna Halpern, improvisers present a series
of scenes based on a single word
Family Drama - Created by Dave
Dennison, Family Drama presents a completely
improvised story about a family reunion in the style of
a traditional stage play: a single set where each performer
plays only one character.
Long-Form Shows - BATS produces a number of long-form
shows in a variety of genres: science fiction, western,
courtroom drama, soap opera and more. The audience supplies
a title for the performers and the plot, characters, and
dialogue are all made up right there on the spot.
Improvised Musicals
- BATS produces a number of musical improv shows in a variety
of different styles and genres: Disco Romance, Elvis Musical,
Holiday Musical, and more. The title for the individual
show is suggested by the audience. The story, music, songs,
lyrics, and choreography are all created spontaneously on
stage.
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