What is improv?

Improvisational theater, or improv, is a form of theater where the scenes, stories, dialogue and movement are unscripted and unrehearsed. Improv players create shows that surprise, enthrall, and inspire their audiences by relying on their ability to think on their feet, collaborate in the moment, let go, listen deeply and recognize patterns and connections.

These same skills are valuable not just for the purpose of entertaining an audience but are also used to help people become better leaders, workers, teachers, students, family members.

Everyone is invited to watch improvisers tell stories that are made up on the spot entirely based on your suggestions.

Keep sending in your comments and you may inspire their scenes and stories! 🛎

Who is Third World Improv?

Third World Improv is the first school in the Philippines dedicated to teaching the art and craft of improvisational theater.

Set up in 2015 by Gabe Mercado and the members of the pioneering improv group SPIT, Third World Improv aims to produce improv practitioners who are authentic, innovative, culturally and socially relevant and a lot of fun.

Our instructors are members of SPIT or alumni of the school, and have between five to thirteen years of experience performing improvisation, highlighted by representing the Philippines at the Manila, Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Amsterdam Improv Festivals.

They have also learned from some of the best teachers in improv including Paul Sills, Jason Chin. Armando Diaz. Mark Sutton, Shaun Landry, Ed Reggi, The Second City, Treehouse, Magnet Theater and many more.

Third World Improv & the Manila Improv Fest bring you ImprovisAsian Festival 2021. You may learn more about TWI and its offerings on their Facebook page and their website.

Where can I watch the shows?

We streamed the shows, duo roulettes, and panels online on our Facebook Page. Tell your friends about it!

Where were the workshops and jams held?

The workshops and jams were held online via Zoom.

Paid events (workshops, jams except for Duo Roulettes) were not streamed online.

Upon purchasing a ticket through Ticket2Me, expect to receive further instructions in your email!

What were the technical requirements to join a workshop or a jam?

Make sure you:

• have the latest version of Zoom
• have a working camera, speakers/earphones, microphone (We prefer you join via desktop or a laptop)
• have a stable Internet connection
• are in a place with ample privacy, good lighting, minimal background noise
• you are not in a moving vehicle or a middle of a meal
• you can come up to 15 minutes earlier
• you attend all sessions (for workshops on multiple days)

What should I expect for the panel discussions?

The panel discussions were streamed online for free.

While live, we encourage you to participate and talk to the panelists and moderators by sending your thoughts in the comments. Our Community Managers will send over your questions and comments to the panel.

What is the ImprovisAsian Festival's Code of Conduct?

The ImprovisAsian Festival does not tolerate harassment, whether physical or verbal, in any of our spaces.

We are all involved when it comes to keeping the class a safe space. This is not upheld just by the instructors or the staff, but by every single person participating.

We are encouraged to communicate our boundaries and express when they have been crossed. We speak up if we are uncomfortable or if we see that someone else may be uncomfortable as well.

We assume good will from each other.

No one's identity, such as their sexuality, religion, or nationality, must ever be the butt of any joke.

Playing in a multi-cultural setting means we must listen with open minds and hearts, as well as be thoughtful, respectful, and considerate about our actions.

If there are any concerns or questions, please email us at improvisasianfestival@gmail.com.

We reserve the right to remove participants who do not abide by these guidelines.