NIN has welcomed our first ever international festival to use our instant submission service, that festival is the Improv Fest Ireland. We were able to interview Neil Curran, who runs the festival in Dublin. Here is what he had to say:
What is the biggest difference you see between the US an Ireland when it comes to improv.
The improv scene in Ireland has been growing rapidly in recent years and long form is becoming more and more popular. While the long form scene is still in its infancy, there are wonderfully talented performers and troupes emerging around the country. I’m quite passionate about community in improv and its a joy to see other troupes embrace this notion as we witness more and more jam nights and shared stage events. We don’t have a dedicated improv theatre in Dublin yet but more and more venues are opening their doors and embracing the art form. While our excellent stand up scene dominates the comedy circuit, the improv community is working hard to forge our own personality in the arts and comedy community. And this makes it a great time to be part of the improv scene here. Improvisers are learning their art from many improv instructors, locally and also through visiting international instructors. This is empowering performers to create their own style of improv, taking elements of what works for them from each instructor rather than abiding the style of one instructor or theatre. For example, troupes are creating their own formats or personalising established formats and also blend game work with narrative.
For folks coming out of the country will you have hotel room blocks or how will you help them with housing?
We will have an accommodation partner for the festival where discounted hostel rooms will be available for performers. There is no short supply of accommodation options in Dublin.
What workshops can improvisors look forward to?
We haven’t confirmed the instructors yet for the festival as the application window is still open, but we have been overwhelmed by the call for instructor applications. As with previous years, we will be offering a diverse range of workshops catering for improvisers at all levels. There will also be coaching opportunities where troupes can work with an instructor. For example, last year we had instructors from Second City teaching character workshops through real people, an instructor from Sicily teaching about being physical in improv, to name but a few.
What venue is the festival at?
Since the festival’s inception, the festival’s home has been Dublin’s iconic Theatre @ 36 in the heart of the city. However with the growth of the festival last year we are also in discussion with additional spaces that can cater for the prime time shows and the audience sizes they attract. I can’t say the venue names yet but needless to say its another iconic space in the heart of the city. Dublin is a small city by international standards with a population of less than 2 million, but what we don’t have in size we make up for in our rich culture and history
What are some fun things to do in Dublin?
There is no shortage of things to do in Dublin and the best part is everything can be either walked to or travelled to on a short bus/Luas (tram) journey. Famous for Guinness, Dublin is home to many great pubs and bars.
The Guinness Storehouse tour is a fun way to find out the magic behind how they make a pint of the ‘black stuff’.Trinity College is our most famous college and is home to the Book of Kells which was found in an Irish monastery in the 6th century. The book is housed in the “Old Library’ which is a sight to behold in itself.
The Dublin Literary Pub Crawl is very popular, and has storytelling guides take you on a tour of some of Dublin’s best pubs where you can stop off for a pint in each one while they recite famous stories and tales, some written by Ireland’s finest writers.The Leprechaun Museum might sound like something for the kids but at night, her interactive story telling tours bring us to the dark side of Irish folklore.We’re only scratching the surface here but its just a small insight into all the great things the city has to offer.
If a troupe gets into your fest? What can they expect?
A troupe can expect to be part of a festival in one of World’s most friendliest and fun cities. The festival runs for a week and we will have shows and jams from all over the world. There will be learning opportunities from world class instructor, jams and mixer shows with talented performers from other troupes. Last year we had performers from 13 different countries! Troupes also receive a strong box office split for their professional performances. But probably most important of all, is the highly coveting Improv Fest Ireland goodie bag.
What do you look for in a submission?
Programming the festival line up is a very difficult process and we really want all troupes to submit the best application they can. Things for troupes to think about:
* What separates your application from the rest?
* What makes your show special?
* Do you have a unique genre show?
* Does your troupe have a particular strength?
* Is your show unusual or unique in format and setting?
* Does your application give a good sense of your troupe’s personality?
* Have you video footage you can share?
As someone who has been to Dublin, I can say Neil is right, it’s one of the friendliest and fun cities to go to. If you get a chance go! To instantly submit to the Improv Fest Ireland click HERE.
Nick is Camp Director and Founder of Improv Utopia an improv camp for adults in California and Pennsylvania. He is also one of the founding members of the National Improv Network and performer and teacher at iO West as well as member of The Sunday Company at The Groundlings. He has also taught many workshops around the country.
