Spolin Center Newsletters

Volume 2 Issue 2 Summer 1999

Inside This Issue

• The Spolin Center Moves to the Northwest
  
• Seattle Improv Fest
  
• A Gentle Reminder
  
• Up-Coming Workshops
  

June, 1998. We have moved to North Bend, WA. The move was prompted by the desire to live and work in a beautiful setting. North Bend is best known as the location for the series Twin Peaks. It is 30 miles east of Seattle. We have plans to introduce workshops to the Seattle improv scene as well as applying Spolin Games to local businesses as refreshment and skill building. Likely candidates are Microsoft and Boeing.
Our new address is P.O. Box 1123, North Bend, WA 98045. Phone is (425) 831-7944.

Unexpected Productions, Seattle's best improvisational theater company, has invited improvisers from around the world to play on stage at the Market Theater. The theater is located in Post Alley in the historic Pike Street Market, one of Seattle's landmarks.
In addition they have brought some of the most influential masters to the theater to offer master classes to the participants: Keith Johnstone, founder of TheaterSports, Avery Schrieber, a member of Sills and Company and long time player of Spolin Games and Charna Halpern, companion and partner of the late Del Close (Improv Olympic, Truth in Comedy) creator of the long form known as the Harold. The festival is part of the larger comedy festival in Seattle known as "Foolproof".

Gary Schwartz substitutes for Avery Schrieber

On the day that Avery Schrieber was scheduled to teach a two day master class, I (Gary Schwartz) was there to attend and introduce myself to the artistic director, Randy Dixon and Managing Director, Keith Dahlgren. Randy rushed in to say that Schrieber had a heart attack during the night and was hospitalized (luckily, he's OK). The two directors turned to me and asked if I could take over the workshop. I was delighted to show the collected improvisers from Austria, UK, Canada and the US Viola's work. The workshop was a success and I hope to offer more classes at Unexpected Productions in the future.

Using the term "Spolin Games" a repeated reminder

The Spolin Center and Intuitive Learning Systems promotes the work of Viola Spolin. One of our goals is to make Viola Spolin's name synonymous with improvisation. She is known to too small a segment of the theatrical and teaching community and it is disappointing to see blank stares come from many improvisers whose work springs from the theories she devised.
Theater Games is a term that covers much ground, and many who use Viola's methods simply call what they do theater games, or improvisation, or improv.
To those using Viola's methods either in practice or teaching: When you refer to what you do, start using the words "Spolin Games" in order to make a clear distinction between other forms of improvisation. Viola was the source and although many have built upon her ideas and expanded them (which is what she wanted) we should all give her credit for pioneering the artform.

Up-Coming Workshops

Paul Sills' 1999 Summer Spolin Games Intensive

Legendary director, teacher Paul Sills teaches Spolin Games week long intensives at his farm in Wisconsin.
The dates are July 7-12 and 21-26 and August 8-16.
The cost is $335.00 and they'll help you find lodging in Door County, a popular Wisconsin vacation destination.
Contact Carol Sills, (414) 854-5072 in Bailey's Harbor, WI.