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You want Stand-Alone, Special Topic Improv Workshops? We’ve got ’em!

Silverbacks Improv Theatre presents a series of workshops at Cité des Arts for all levels of experience. Each one highlights a different fundamental aspect of improv, so mix and match to your interests! Perfect for beginners looking for a place to start their improv journey, or veterans seeking a deeper dive into a skill. Join veteran and premiering teachers for our Fall lineup!  

All classes on Saturdays 1:00 – 2:30 PM. Registration is $20.

Sept. 20  “The Body Eclectic:  Head-to-Toe Characters in Improv”
Sept. 27  “Say It Like You Mean It:  Voice and Character in Improv”
Oct. 4  “Embrace the Silence”
Oct. 18  “Life in Space:  Creating Environments”
Oct. 25  “Sync to the Top:  Improv for Teamwork”
Nov. 8 “Talk to Strangers: Improv for Interpersonal Communication”
Nov. 22  “Feel Big, Go Big:  Emotion-Driven Improv”

Online Registration is available at Cite des Arts’ website.

Improv 2 is HERE

Our Improv workshops continue with Improv Level 2. Move beyond the basics with characterization and 2-person scene building!Past students have gone on to create their own troupes, have much more airtight excuses when they’re late to work, and have been told they’re hilarious on zoom calls. Our eight-session course has helped to foster talent in Acadiana for years, and now it’s your turn. Sign up today!Improv 2 – A Silverbacks Improv Class Teachers: Pete Byrne and Mads Manuel

Saturdays: Nov 13, 20; Dec 4, 11, 18; Jan 8, 15, 22
Time: 10am – 12pm CST
Where: Cité des Arts
Ages: 16+
Cost: $160*

Register online here: https://square.link/u/e8KSao24
Students may also message the Silverbacks Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/SilverbacksImprov, or email us with questions at silverbacksimprov@stagemonkey02gmail-com

*Silverbacks believe that the price should not be a barrier for the study of improv. We are committed to the following initiatives for our 2021 courses:
– Payment Plans – we can set up a payment plan for students – simply contact us at silverbacksimprov@gmail.com.
– We are participating in the Black Improv Alliance’s program, 100 Black Improvisers. The goal of the program is to sponsor Black improv students in the study of improv. We are participating by offering a number of scholarships for Black students. Please reach out to Silverbacks or see the Black Improv Alliance’s website for more information: https://blackimprovalliance.com/100-black-improvisers
– Other arrangements can be made as necessary – reach out to us at silverbacksimprov@gmail.com.

Pete Byrne is an Improviser, Writer and Director originally from Rochester, NY. Pete spent the past eight years studying and performing comedy in Chicago, IL. During his time in Chicago, Pete graduated from the prestigious Conservatory Program at The Second City. While at Second City, Pete performed with his long-form improv team, A Good Chunk of Women. He was the director of the Second City Sketch Show, Polar Opposites and served as one of the head writers for What’s Next. Pete also studied long-form improv comedy at the iO Theater, and performed on two iO Harold Teams, Small Town Doctor and Secret Handshake. Now living in Lafayette, LA with his wife, Pete is excited to share his improv comedy knowledge, inspire confidence in others and show his students that trust and listening skills are all you need to always have fun on (and off) stage.

Mads Manuel has been improvising since 2007, when they join UL’s Cult of the Stage Monkey. They grew with the organization and served as Director, training several successful classes of new improvisers while also working to continue the development of intermediate and advanced performers. In 2012, they began performing with the professional group that would eventually become Silverbacks Improv Theatre. They’ve gone on to perform as part of the Your Pretty Friend Improv duo. In addition to their Improv experience, Mads appeared regularly in local community theatre productions and is proud to have cobbled together their anxiety into a convincing human personality.

Interested in Classes? Get on our List!

Are you interested in taking a Silverbacks Improv class or workshop? Make sure you let us know! We are currently compiling names of children and adults who are interested in studying improv to schedule new classes and camps that meet demand.

Since 2015, we have offered Improv 1, Improv 2, and Improv 3 to the community, as well as special projects such as Movement workshops and Summer Camps. Participants have gone on to form their own improv troupes, join established ones, or simply enjoy the skills of Improv in daily life.

Improv Class of 2016 alum, and founder of The Weaning Process Improv Troupe, Leslie Tidwell had this to say about improv class with Silverbacks: “Silverbacks Improv Theatre classes were a great experience. I felt like I was in a slump, and these classes lifted me up. I made friends, gained confidence, and had the opportunity to play. The teachers miraculously offer a relaxed yet rigorous environment where challenge is welcome, but never judgment.”

Interested? Let us know by sending us a message through Facebook or by email at silverbacksimprov@gmail.com. Let us know the season and day of the week that would be best for you to participate. Have you already “graduated” from Improv 3 and want to study more? Let us know what topics in Improv Theatre interest you!

We would love to have you in class. (Yes, you!)

Improv Rumble! 2019

Who’s ready for a Rumble!?

Join us as Lafayette’s improvisers unite for the ultimate spectacle in competitive improvised theater!

The Improv Rumble will pit teams of improvisers against one another in an all-out brawl. Everything’s made up, but YOUR VOTES REALLY COUNT. Who will go home the victor? The answer depends on YOU. Audience members will vote on their favorite performances to determine a team winner.

This show will feature over 30 improv comedy performers, all from South Louisiana. These include Lafayette groups Silverbacks Improv Theatre, Cult of the Stage Monkey, Weaning Process, The Plural Noun and members from The Family Dinner and LATco in Baton Rouge. Improvisers will form mixed teams and compete against each other for the audience’s vote.

This show will focus on short and high energy improv “games” not unlike the popular show “Whose Line is it Anyway.” The Improv Rumble is sure to be full of high energy, big laughs and friendly sportsmanship. See performers who don’t normally perform with each other outside of their element and having a blast.

Come on down and see us Rumble on Friday, February 8, 2019, at 7:30 pm, at Acadiana Center for the Arts. Tickets are $12.

Improv: Level 3 with Sarah!

In Level Three, improvisers use scene work to develop specific skills, such as ensemble, character, acting, and other advanced improv skills.

The knowledge and practice from Levels One and Two provide students the opportunity to work on these new and deeper concepts and gives the instructor the chance to provide detailed feedback.

LEVEL THREE culminates with a performer showcase (on Feb 9 at 11am) where family, friends and the public are invited.

Prerequisite: LEVEL TWO. Must be comfortable acting in a group and working with others in scene work.

Schedule: 5 sessions (once a week for 5 weeks)
Saturdays | January 12 – February 9 | 10am-12pm
Class length: 2 hours (10 hours total)
Where: Cité des Arts (Dance Studio) 109 Vine Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
Class size: 6 students minimum; 10 students maximum

Tuition: $100

Sarah Mikayla Brown

About the Instructor: Sarah Mikayla Brown has followed her obsessions with theatre and improv into the wacky life of a Talented Theatre teacher and performer. She is an ensemble member of Acting Up (in Acadiana) and artistic director of Silverbacks Improv Theatre. Brown is mildly “Cajun Famous” for her work with fellow theatre artist Lian Cheramie on projects such as “Cajun Face.” She is a graduate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the improvisation program at the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago.

Pre-register at https://squareup.com/store/silverbacks-improv-theatre, or contact us with any questions through our Silverbacks Improv Theatre Facebook Page.

Saturday Night Live had some interesting ideas about Acadiana…

Good ol’ Saturday Night Live surprised Lafayette, LA residents the other night with this little number:

We see you, Saturday Night Live. Here’s our response:

Silverbacks Improv to hold Open Audition for New Members

Silverbacks Improv Theatre will hold an audition to scout for potential new cast members on August 28 at 6pm at the Omni Center – 227 Jefferson St, Lafayette, LA 70501. The improvisational comedy ensemble has been together since April 2012. This is the only the second time the popular ensemble has held an audition. Ensemble member Sarah Mikayla Brown had this to say regarding the audition: “We receive frequent inquiries about auditions – I hope to get the word out about this rare audition to anyone who would be interested!”
The Silverbacks are seeking experienced and/or trained improvisers to join the ensemble, though inexperienced improvisers are certainly welcome to attend the audition as well. The group rehearses twice a month on Wednesdays, with shows at least twice a month. Interested auditionees are urged to consider the commitment involved with being a member of Silverbacks. “We are seeking members who will make Silverbacks their artistic home in Improv,” notes Steve Benelli, Artistic Director of Silverbacks Improv.

Requirements to audition: 18+ only. Headshots and resumes are welcome, but not required. Please dress for movement. The audition will consist of improvisational games and exercises. Please be prepared to stay for the duration, 6-8pm.

Silverbacks’ 6th Anniversary!

We had a different name in 2012

Long ago, in April of 2012, a group of improv friends held their first official improv show as a brand new improv troupe…. Since then, the group has grown, changed their name, grown some more, traveled, seen familiar faces leave, and watched new faces become familiar.

On Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 7:30pm, join us at Feed N Seed to help us celebrate 6 years of Silverbacks Improv Theatre! We’ll be playing our favorite games and building alternate worlds!

Tickets are $10 at the door.

All we want for our 6th birthday is for YOU to be there (and to bring a friend or two to the show) to inspire us in whatever crazy hi-jinks we get up to.

IMPROV RUMBLE! 2018

Performing cast of Improv Rumble! 2015

Lafayette’s constantly expanding improv community is uniting for one night in February for the ultimate spectacle in competitive improvised theater: IMPROV RUMBLE! 2018!

Improv Rumble! will pit mixed teams of improvisers against one another in an all-out brawl! Everything’s made up, but this time, YOUR VOTES DO MATTER. Who will go home victorious? Who will leave bananaless? These answers depend on YOU.

This year, our Rumble teams will be made up of improvisers fromSilverbacks Improv Theatre, Cult of the Stage Monkey, The Weaning Process – Comedy Troupe, and -INTRODUCING- The Plural Noun*!

So, do yourselves a favor: join us on Friday, February 2, at Cite des Arts (on the main stage!). Tickets are $10, and the show kicks off at 7:30pm! We will pit friends against friends, cast-mate against cast-mate, and even SIBLING against SIBLING!… all for your entertainment, applause, votes, and Hamiltons!

*The Plural Noun is a brand new, Lafayette based Improv Troupe, made up of performers who met in and completed Levels 1-3 of Silverbacks’ Improv Classes in 2017!