[Portland, OR] Is there an improv scene in Portland?

[casio]

I love Portland. I miss my friends there. But I've very much enjoyed the NYC UCBT community, classes, and shows. Is there something in the same spirit in PDX? A quick googling turns up "ComedySportz™" (ugh) and the Brody Theater (promising?) Is there anyone out there that can shed some light?

many thanks
t.

 

[Garrett]

Last time I went home I saw an interesting group called Kick The Squirrel perform some longform in a little theatre attached to the back of a coffee shop on the Eastside. I talked to them about it and they mentioned a few other groups doing things. Not much, but sounds like it could be growing.

 

[Loki]

There was a bit going on when I was involved a decade ago when I lived there, but am not too familiar with the current goings-on in PDX.

I may be mistaken, but I think Brainwaves, All Jane No Dick and Big Belly have all become inactive. I could be wrong, but I'm not seeing current shows.

I've heard good things as well about Kick the Squirrel
http://www.kickthesquirrel.com/

Toad City does some improv related stuff
http://www.toadcity.org/

You've got Perpetual Commotion out in Hood River
http://www.perpetualcommotion.org/

You've found the Brody Theatre, and that's a good place to start. As you mentioned, you've got CSZ, and they've had spin off groups like Your Other Left. The website for PDXTS is down, so no go there.

You might want to also check into groups and programs at PSU, U of P, Lewis & Clark, Reed and Concordia. People there might be able to put you on the right track.

I swear I've seen some PDX people post on here... If no one local chimes in, let me know. I have some friends that are active in the Willamette Valley and in Eugene, so I could check to see if they know of anything.

 

[polar]

Portland has some very solid improvisors and has exported several quality improvisors to Chicago and Seattle. The Brody and CSz-PDX both have very solid reputations.

 

[Mr. Stampede]

Look for Kent McCarty and Phil Incorvia from Big Belly. http://www.funnybusinesspdx.com/ I like them.
Lots of the ComedySportz people are doing long-form things on the side listed here: http://www.portlandcomedy.com/shows/other_groups.html

The impression I get from teaching out there is that it's small but growing. It's not going to be like UCB, though.
________
1957 FORD

 

[faffy]

check out the Brody theatre...they mostly only do long form. I check them out often. Good stuff.

 

[JKB]

John Breen here...from Portland

Hey-

I'm John Breen. I've been improvising since 1993, long form and short form. Trained with Mick Napier, Keith Johnstone and UCB, was there in '99 & '00...miss it. I was on Pound with Naked Babies, Etc. Also, good friend of Mother. I know some of the folks over at the PIT and the Magnet Theater, as well.

Currently, I split my time between here and LA doing various shows at IO West, Fake Gallery, Hudson Theater, Second City stage, HBO showcase, etc. The majority of my time is spent in Portland where I teach and perform at CoHo Theater, the ComedySportz space, and occasionally The Brody.

Just formed sweeeeeet new long form group called THE LIBERATORS. I'm very excited about it.

You moving out here?

Let me know.

Love.

John Breen

Check out...

john-breen.com

theliberators.net

 

[JKB]

...And Rough n Ready with Daniel Hill from IO Chicago and Hoskins & Breen, two man sketch.

John Breen

 

[Mr. Stampede]

(ugh)

Also you're going to have to drop that snobbery bullshit if you want to thrive outside New York. It will not serve you well.
________
FAKE WEED