Tim Orr
Company Member since 1989
Coach since 1991
Tim has improvised since 1988 with many San Francisco-based groups, including BATS Improv, True Fiction Magazine, Awkward Dinner Party, and with the acclaimed troupe 3 For All. In 2009, he founded Improv Playhouse of San Francisco.
Tim has also appeared in numerous plays in the San Francisco Bay Area, and received critical acclaim for his leading roles in the improvised feature films, Suckerfish and Security. With Stephen Kearin, Tim co-wrote, and originated the role of Dirk Manly in, An Evening with Dirk & Blaine.
Tim has performed and taught improvisation at the American Conservatory Theatre, BATS Improv, Stanford University, and many other venues nationally (Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Austin, Louisville, Atlanta, etc.) and internationally (Amsterdam, Barcelona, Beirut, Belgium, Berlin, Bucharest, Hamburg, Helsinki, Lisbon, London, Mallorca, Oslo, Paris, Saudi Arabia, Stockholm, and Tel Aviv).
He has served many times as the Director of various BATS Improv Long-Form Intensives.
Q & A
What was your first BATS show?
I first saw a show in 1988 at the Climate Theater (now Venue 9). I was amazed by the commitment to relationship and story demonstrated by the improvisers, and immediately signed on for my first BATS class.
What are your favorite formats?
Longform improvisation of all formats and genres (Shakespeare, Film Noir, etc.), Family Drama, where shows are staged as plays on a single set, Theatresports™
Best moment on the BATS stage?
My single most memorable moment came not during a show, but during a class. Everything slowed down for me in a tangible and magical way (similar to what athletes call “the zone”), and I knew in that moment that anything that I did on stage was OK, good enough, watchable. Though I’ve never experienced the exact same moment again, the feeling of well-being has never left me.
Any improv advice?
Improv is about playing someone who is someplace, not about being clever.
What are your artistic Influences?
In improv: Rafe Chase, Stephen Kearin, and Regina Saisi. In comedy in general: Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck. In acting: Jean-Louis Barrault, Jason Robards, and Ruth Gordon. In music: Joni Mitchell.
Favorite movies?
Les Enfants du Paradis, A Thousand Clowns, Harold & Maude, Casablanca, Alien, The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Favorite music?
Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, Sweeney Todd soundtrack.
Favorite theatre?
Henry IV Part I, The Time of Your Life, Angels in America, Sweeney Todd (with George Hearn)
