Unexpected Productions
Unexpected Productions (UP) is an improvisational comedy company in Seattle, Washington, USA. From their home at the Market Theater in Seattle's historic Pike Place Market, in Post Alley,[1] Unexpected Productions produces year-round shows, teaches improv classes, and hosts the Seattle International Festival of Improvisation.
History[edit]
Unexpected Productions was formed by three different improv groups as the “Seattle Theatresports League”, and was the first improv group in the US to perform Theatresports, which now holds the title of the longest running show in Seattle.[2][3] By 1988, the group was exploring many additional forms of spontaneous theatre, and the name was changed to “Unexpected Productions”. In June 2008, Unexpected Productions celebrated the 25th anniversary of its first Theatresports match.[4]
Actor Brendan Fraser is among the graduates of Unexpected Productions improv classes,[citation needed] and Joel McHale was a Theatresports cast member from 1993 to 1997.[5]
The Seattle International Festival of Improvisation[edit]
Unexpected Productions has, since 1997, hosted The Seattle Festival of International Improvisation. The festival gathers individual improvisers from around the world, who train together for a week long period, culminating in several performances. The festival has traditionally been held in June, around the anniversary of Unexpected Productions.[6]
| Year | Festival Theme |
|---|---|
| 1993 | The Seattle International Festival of Improv (No Specific Theme) |
| 1997 | All Female Cast |
| 1999 | Old Friends |
| 2000 | Get Out of your Skin |
| 2001 | Body and Soul |
| 2002 | Taking It Personally: Personal Stories, Collective Voices |
| 2003 | Stereotypes and Clichés |
| 2004 | Words, Sounds, Silence |
| 2005 | Blurred Lines |
| 2006 | Holding Up the Mirror |
| 2007 | Jazz |
| 2008 | Invisibility |
| 2009 | Zen |
| 2010 | Trinity: The Rule of Three |
| 2011 | The Fool |
| 2012 | Wabi Sabi |
| 2013 | Between You and Me: The Audience and Performer |
| 2014 | Serious Play |
| 2015 | Emergence |
| 2016 | All Around You |
| 2017 | Power |
See also[edit]
External links[edit]
Sources[edit]
- ^ "Unexpected Productions (Seattle) - 2021 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (With Photos)".
- ^ Phalen, Tom (18 June 1993). "Expect the Unexpected". The Seattle Times.
- ^ Adcock, Joe (11 June 2003). "Innovative Theater Groups". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
- ^ Burton, Lynsi (12 June 2008). "Unexpected Productions celebrates 25 years". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
- ^ "International Festival of Improv". Archived from the original on 2008-10-10.
- ^ "Inspiring Improv with Randy Dixon".
