Seoul City Improv
SCI | |
 | |
| Address | 17-6, Hangang-Daero 48-Gil, Yongsan-Gu Seoul South Korea |
|---|---|
| Current use | Improvisational comedy Sketch comedy Comedic plays |
| Opened | 2007 |
| Website | |
| seoulcityimprov | |
Seoul City Improv (SCI) is a theater company and improvisational comedy troupe located in Seoul, South Korea. Founded in 2007, in Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood[1] by an international group of actors and creatives it known to be Korea's oldest English-language improv group[2] and has since grown to perform all around the world, including Taiwan, Tokyo, Hong Kong, USA, Canada and more.[3]
History
[edit]Seoul City Improv was founded in 2007 by actress Margaret Whittum as an outlet for performers of theater group Seoul Players who, at the time, had only two performance opportunities a year.[4] Their shows first began with short-form improv games, influenced by the show Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series), but has since grown to incorporate various long-form and musical improv formats.[5]
SCI's first international debut would be in April 2010 with a collaborative show in Taichung, Taiwan with Taichung Improv[4] and would follow that up in Tokyo, Japan with a showing at the Tokyo Improv Festival.[3]
In April 2011, Seoul City Improv took part in the International Interactive Arts Festival in Beijing, a five-day event where it was mentioned as a “talent from across Asia” by Time Out Beijing.[6] In May of that year, SCI would go on to host the Seoul International Improv Festival featuring performers from the US, China, Hong Kong and more.[3]
Seoul City Improv would later collaborate with the Korea Improv Theater to host South Korea's first English-language Theatresports performance.[7]
In March 2016, Seoul City Improv was named one of the best expat performing groups by 10 Magazine (South Korean magazine).[2] The next year, Seoul City Improv would find itself performing in Shanghai for the Shanghai Improv Festival, as well as being featured in the Busan International Comedy Festival.[5]
They offered their first eight-week introductory improv courses in mid-2018.[8]
Currently, Seoul City Improv's events are located in The Funtastic Theater located near Samgakji station.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Redmond, John Foreign Comedy Group to Host Anniversary Show The Korea Times. Retrieved on March 11, 2019.
- ^ a b 10 Magazine Staff 10 Best Expat Performing Groups Korea. 10 Magazine (South Korean magazine) Chicago. Retrieved on March 11, 2019.
- ^ a b c Redmond, John First International Improv Festival to take place in Seoul May 13-15. The Korea Times. Retrieved on March 11, 2019.
- ^ a b Breen, J.R. Expat Comedy Troupe Goes International The Korea Times. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
- ^ a b Kerry, Paul (2017-09-20). "Seoul City Improv to mark 10th anniversary with show". www.koreaherald.com. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
- ^ Pellegrini, Nancy Beijing International Interactive Arts Festival. Time Out Beijing. Retrieved on March 11, 2019.
- ^ "Members List". theatresports.org. 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
- ^ Herald, The Korea (2018-05-29). "SCI offers improv course to help you think on your feet". www.koreaherald.com. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
- ^ "The Seoul Times - Seoul City Improv (SCI) Moves to Brand New Location in Yongsan-gu". theseoultimes.com. Retrieved 2019-05-08.