Thurs, June 6, 10 am - 1 pm
 
This workshop will help improvisers understand the differences in how their brains work when they are playing improv scenes vs improv games. We’ll cover how the harmony of the Engineer and Jazz Musician sensibilities in your head can be vital in playing Scene, Narrative, Games (and “Game of The Scene’, if applicable). There are psychological differences that happen when we play for comedy as the goal vs. when we play for comedy as a consequence of emotional and psychological connection. I’ve studied psychology and behavioral neuroscience for more than 30 years and in this workshop I aim to help everyone, at any point in their improv life, to understand how to ground themselves immediately in an improv scene, in ANY context. I will help you gain confidence, get out of your head and feel more connected so you can just PLAY!
 
More about Joe...
Joe Bill is widely regarded as one of the best teachers of improvisation in America today. He is one of the founding members of Annoyance Theater Chicago where, for 12 years, he performed in and/or directed more than 60 different shows. He is the Director of Corporate Training at iO Chicago and is a Guest Artist in Residence at The Second City Training Center where he teaches intensives in Duo Improvisation and Improvisation for Actors. Joe first learned Improvisation and in 1977 studied and worked with Del Close from 1985 through the mid 90’s.
 
Joe has performed, coached, directed and innovated improv structure with a vast number of successful groups across the US, creating forms such as The Bat. Joe has taught and/or performed at every major improv festival in the United States, including the 2nd Annual Ocean State Improv Festival in 2018, and has traveled the world teaching improv.
 
Joe currently teaches and does corporate training at iO Chicago, is an Artistic Associate for The Chicago Improv Festival, and acts as an Artistic Adviser for a number of improvisation and comedy theaters all over the U.S. and Canada.