No script, no restrictions

PANAMA. Panama’s only English-language theatre company returns to the stage in June, but this time without a script. The Theatre Guild of Ancon (TGA) has been preparing since April for its next production: Improv8, the only performance with no lines and no restrictions.

After the success of the first show, last year’s Improv 8 ½, organizers were inspired by the interest sparked among newly-intrigued actors to offer acting workshops for beginners.

Improv8 director Danielle Scott, an expat from Britain who emigrated to the country two years ago, led a group of 16 people interested in learning about improvisation acting techniques for 5 weeks.

Their response was beyond her expectations.

“This is the first acting workshop held at The Guild so the TGA production team had no expectations on who or how many people would be interested in taking part,” said Scott.

“We ended up with a full class as well as a waiting list which totally exceeded our expectations.”

Current actors, aspiring thespians and also non-actors wanting to experience an acting workshop signed up, according to Scott.

The mixture of TGA-goers and brand new faces at the workshop will expand the audiences and diversity of people at the theatre, giving the guild exactly what they need to develop, she said.

The classes offered a chance to find new talent for future productions.

From the class, many ended up auditioning for Improv8 with some workshop participants now joining long-time Guild theater actors in the forthcoming production which comes to stage June 18 –20 and June 25 – 27.

Two troupes of actors will entertain and inspire the audience on alternate days, with quick thinking, instant wit and spontaneous acting ability performed through tasks and games led by a host.

Expect audience participation and a musical twist as well, says Scott.

For Scott and Kimberly Hall, one of the producers, the beauty of improvisation lies in the unexpected. As much as you coach and train the actors, every performance ends up having a life of its own.

“People can come and see it more than once,” said Hall, especially because having two different set of actors promises different shows, and a lot of fun.

Tickets (donation of $10) can be reserved at: 212-0060 or tgapanama@gmail.com.

For directions to the Theatre Guild of Ancon, check out the website: www.anconguild.com