Clo­se En­coun­ters Thea­t­re: Work­shop | Ja­cob Ba­ni­gan

The heart of every impro scene is the Story. Despite the games and challenges, there should be a story. Why are stories so compelling? How do we know when a story has started? How do we keep it going? And how do we know when it’s over? Through Narrative Structure, the blueprint for the story, we recognise the various elements at play. Know your tools, so that you can build something great. Jacob Banigan is a Canadian living in Austria, teaching and performing impro around Europe. Jacob has been improvising since 1990, when he joined Rapid Fire Theatre to play Theatresports in Edmonton. Jacob was Artistic Director of Rapid Fire for nine seasons, creating Chimprov, The RFT Improv Academy, and Canada’s biggest impro festival Improvaganza. Living in Graz, Austria, ensemble member of Theater im Bahnhof, he is director of the impro show MONTAG. In 2012, Jacob premiered the improvised solo show GAME OF DEATH. Jacob has lead workshops across the world for such esteemed groups as Dad’s Garage (Atlanta), Extempore (London), Die Gorilas (Berlin), Stockholms Improvisations Theater, and il Bugiardini (Rome). Banigan is currently Senior Lecturer on Improvisational Theater at the University for the Performing Arts Graz. He is a member of English Lovers in Vienna, Gordon’s Big Bald Head in Edmonton, and Rocket Sugar Factory everywhere.