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Improv 1 with Aren and Renee

Improv Comedy Classes starting October 4 with Silverbacks Improv Theatre!

Quick Details:
Improv 1 – A Silverbacks Improv Class (Teachers: Aren Chaisson & Renee Barry)
Dates: Tuesdays – October 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov 1, Nov 8
Time: 6-8pm CST
Where: Cité des Arts
Ages: 16+
Cost: $120 – scholarships available
Register online here:
https://checkout.square.site/buy/VR4MXJQOSZQZQH5TJMSZIZGA

Students may also message the Silverbacks Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/SilverbacksImprov, or email with questions at silverbacksimprov@gmail.com.

Since 2015, Silverbacks Improv Theatre has offered Improv classes in Lafayette. As a result, the improv scene has blossomed and continues to grow. A new round of classes is starting on October 4 with Improv 1. This six week course is designed for the complete novice to improv and/or performing arts. Teachers focus on creating a friendly environment for even the most demure wall flower to be able to participate. Improv is excellent for growing skills in communication, team work, and public speaking. Students will be eligible to progress to Improv 2 and 3 following this course, should they choose to continue studying.

Silverbacks believe that the price should not be a barrier for the study of improv, and will not turn away any students for lack of a traditional fee. Payment plans, scholarships, and barters are all available.

Teacher Bios:
Renee Barry is thrilled to be teaching with her pal Aren! Renee moved back home to Lafayette in 2020 after spending eight years in Chicago, IL performing improv and writing sketch comedy shows. In Chicago, Renee wrote and performed at The Second City in such productions as Thank You Five, Out Damn Spotlight, Ready Player: Won, and 1984-Play. Renee will be performing in CCT’s The Real Inspector Hound in November at Cité des Artes. Renee teaches improv and sketch writing to teens at CYT, and she teaches Talented Theatre in St. Martin Parish schools. Renee is so grateful to be a part of the Lafayette comedy community!

Aren Chaisson is an actor and improvisor with over 25 years experience on stage. He is from Lafayette, Louisiana and teaches Talented Theatre in Iberia Parish. Aren has performed in many productions, including John Proctor in The Crucible, Huey P. Long in The Kingfish, Dale Pittman in The North Plan, Harry “Jazzbo” Haywood in It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Lenny in Of Mice and Men, Foreman in Twelve Angry Men, Cliff in Cabaret, Officer Lockstock in Urinetown and William Shakespeare in William and Judith. In 2018 he was in his first CCT production as Jud in Oklahoma! Most recently he was seen as Max Bialystock in The Producers. Since graduating from University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a BFA in Performing Arts, he has performed in NYC, Chicago, Syracuse, Alabama, Indiana, on regional and national tours, and in short films and commercials. He studied improv with Armando Diaz at the Magnet Theatre in NYC and performs with Silverbacks Improv troupe.

Improv Comedy Classes starting July 20!

**DUE TO THE STORM IN THE GULF, IMPROV: LEVEL ONE WILL BEGIN ON JULY 20TH. STAY SAFE, FRIENDS!**

IMPROV ONE Class Details:
Improv 1 – A Silverbacks Improv Class (Teacher Aren Chaisson)
Dates: Saturdays July 20, 27; August 10, 17, 24, 31.
Time: 10am – 12pm
Where: Cite Des Arts Dance Studio – 109 Vine St, Lafayette, LA 70501
Ages: 16+
Cost: $100

Silverbacks Improv Theatre, will begin another round of improv classes starting in July. Silverbacks began offering improv classes in the summer of 2015, and has had great success and fun with their students. Improv troupes Weaning Process, The Plural Noun, and recent grad troupe Lively Banter even found their beginnings in Silverbacks improv classes.

The Silverbacks will begin by offering Improv 1. Students will then have the option to continue to Improv 2, 3, and 4 if they choose.

IMPROV LEVEL ONE is an entry-level journey into the joys and thrills of improvisation, or improv. Students will learn and practice the application of “group mind” and the all-important “yes, and” – and other improv concepts and vocabulary. Students will practice new skills, perform and play in a safe, low-stakes and friendly atmosphere.

LEVEL ONE is perfect for the super fan of comedy or improv who has yet to perform, the curious introvert wanting to try something new or someone looking to improve their public speaking or quick decision making skills. At the conclusion, you can move on to Level Two or continue to take LEVEL ONE again – as many times as you’d like. You’re sure to get something new out of it each time!

Still on the fence? Hear from a former student!

“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.” -Leslie Tidwell, founding member of The Weaning Process – Improv Troupe

Level One students will also have the perk of free entry to all Silverbacks produced improv shows while they are taking classes!

Register online here: https://squareup.com/store/silverbacks-improv-theatre or by calling 337-205-2129. Students may also message the Silverbacks Facebook page with questions:www.Facebook.com/SilverbacksImprov

Teacher Biography: Aren Chaisson, III – Aren is from Lafayette, Louisiana and teaches Talented Theatre in Iberia Parish. Since moving back from New York City in May 2011, he has performed in many productions, including John Proctor in The Crucible, Huey P. Long in The Kingfish, Dale Pittman in The North Plan, Harry “Jazzbo” Haywood in It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Lenny in Of Mice and Men, Foreman in Twelve Angry Men, Cliff in Cabaret, Officer Lockstock in Urinetown and William Shakespeare in William and Judith. This past summer he was in his first CCT production as Jud in Oklahoma! Since graduating from University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a BFA in Performing Arts, he has performed in NYC, Chicago, Syracuse, Alabama, Indiana, on regional and national tours, and in short films and commercials. He studied improv with Armando Diaz at the Magnet Theatre in NYC and performs with Silverbacks Improv Theatre in Lafayette.

Late Night’s all right for SuperCollider!

Come to the 2nd Stage at Cité des Arts on Friday, May 3rd at 9pm for a Late Night edition of SuperCollider: Acadiana’s Improv Showcase brought to you by Silverbacks Improv Theatre!

Audiences will get a taste of 3 different groups performing short sets.

May’s SuperCollider will feature:
The Family Dinner,
The Plural Noun,
and The Weaning Process – Improv Troupe!

Tickets are $10*
*($8 for Students, Teachers, and Seniors (60+). ID is required for discount)

Silverbacks Present: The 90s!

You spoke up and we listened: We’re throwing it waaaaay back to The 90s again!
Friday, May 17th, 7:30pm @ 2nd Stage at Cité des Arts
$10 general admission
($8 with ID for Students, Teachers, and Seniors!)

On Friday, May 17th at 7:30pm, Silverbacks Improv Theatre will revisit its popular “90s Sitcom” format. The group will improvise a one-act play inspired by classic 90s television shows, such as Full House, Family Matters, Home Improvement and more.

You could call it: Step by Step Family Improvement Full of Ties in the Wonder Years when a Boy Meets World – “A 90s Sitcom” – Featuring MONIQUE (not that Monique).

Costumed in their best 90’s apparel, the performers will embrace the golden age of family sitcoms (or the lowest sitcoms of all time, depending on your perspective). Family hi-jinks, wacky neighbors, precocious kids, blended families, and coming of age – all are ripe for the picking!

We invite you to relive the decade of TGIF and slap bracelets with us and come dressed up in your most stylin’ 90s threads!

Silverbacks 7th Anniversary is nigh!

In anticipation of our 7th Anniversary Celebration, Aren & Monique took to the streets to see what the general public thinks of Silverbacks Improv Theatre. And… well…

On Friday, April 12, 2019, at 7:30pm, join us at Cité des Arts to celebrate 7 whole years of Silverbacks Improv Theatre! We’ll be playing our favorite games and building alternate worlds!

As a special gift from us to you, we invite you to **Pay What You Can** at the door!

All we want for our 7th 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.

SuperCollider Returns with a special Late Night edition!

Come to Cité des Arts on Friday, March 15th at 9pm for a special Late Night edition of SuperCollider: Acadiana’s Improv Showcase brought to you by Silverbacks Improv Theatre!

Audiences will get a taste of 3 different groups performing short sets. Groups will be comprised of local favorites, traveling troupes, and exciting genre specific formats such as horror and musical improv.

March’s SuperCollider will feature:
Rag Tag,
Tempo Tantrums Musical Improv,
and Splorange!

Tickets are $10* Buy Yours Today!
*($8 for Students, Teachers, and Seniors (60+). ID is required for discount. This ticket option is only available at the door.)

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.

Silverbacks’ 7th Annual Improvised Holiday Celebration!

On Friday, December 14th, at Club 337 (in DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette), Silverbacks Improv Theatre will present their traditional “Holiday Show.” Each December, Silverbacks interpret their signature improvisations through the lens of a Holiday – a brand new, completely made up Holiday, that is! With the audience’s help, Silverbacks will create their very own annual celebration – think “Festivus for the Rest of Us” from Seinfeld.

For this show, each of the performers will be wearing a Holiday Sweater and invite the audience to do the same. ANY Holiday themed items are welcome – the audience is invited to wear their finest Christmas, Easter, Mardi Gras, or even Groundhog Day sweaters to add to the fun. Previously invented holidays were “Paper-Clip Appreciation Day” (2012), “Garden Gnome Day” (2013), “Leonardo DaVinci’s Mother’s Birthday” (2014), “Picasso-Palooza” (2015), “St. Lampshades Day” (2016), and “Structural Support Day” (2017). Now we need our audience to help us create a brand New Holiday and its many wonderful traditions.

Tickets are $10* at the door!
*($8 for Students, Teachers, and Seniors (60+). ID is required for discount)

A SuperCollision is scheduled for November 9th!

Join us on Friday, November 9th at 7:30pm at The Omni Center for SuperCollider: Acadiana’s Improv Showcase brought to you by Silverbacks Improv Theatre!

This month will feature The Weaning Process – Improv Troupe and Silverbacks Improv Theatre, with a special Mash-Up set between troupe performances!

Tickets are $10*

*($8 for Students, Teachers, and Seniors (60+). ID is required for discount)

Silverbacks Improv Presents: Lafayette Famous w/ Rob Kirkpatrick on Friday, October 26th!

Silverbacks Improv Theatre‘s “Lafayette Famous” features a mix of improvisation and storytelling. In this format, a local celebrity prepares 3 true stories from their life. The improvisers create scenes based on themes from the stories, bringing performers and audience alike on a humorous journ

ey. This month, we are excited to welcome Rob Kirkpatrick to the Lafayette Famous stage!

Rob Kirkpatrick isn’t originally from Lafayette, but he likes to say he got here as quickly as he could. He hosts Acadiana’s Morning News weekday mornings on NewsTalk 96.5 KPEL. It may surprise you that someone who reports news doesn’t take himself too seriously. Rob says it takes a sense of humor to handle everything that comes across his desk in the KPEL newsroom every day. Rob first started in radio while studying at UL-Lafayette. His first TV job was working alongside the KATC’s “BIG THREE” Marcelle Fontenot, Jim Hummel and Rob Perillo. In 2010, he took his show on the road and set out for roles in national newsrooms at FOX in Dallas and CNN in Atlanta. He grew up in Mandeville, and made the best decision of his life turning down LSU for the Mass Communication program at UL-Lafayette. Rob’s smile is infectious at the Townsquare Media Studios in Lafayette, where he has proven himself to be a force both on-air and behind the scenes when working for clients. Rob Kirkpatrick is married to Sarah and has two daughters.

Join us for Lafayette Famous at The Omni Center on Friday, October 26th at 7:30pm! Tickets are $10 at the door ($8 with ID for Students, Teachers, and Seniors!)