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
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
References
- ^ 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.