Keith Johnstone says that our personalities are not who we are. Our imaginations are who we are.
According to Artistic Director Josiah Polhemus, Barbara Scott’s unique take on improvisational performing has “transformed Stagebridge.”
Scott challenges her students with innovative play formats, such as pre-written cards as prompters and scenes in limerick form.
In a recent demonstration, her Antic Witties group improvised a blues song:
I got the blues.
I got the holiday blues.
It’s not a holiday for Jews.
I put off my shoppin’
That’s not any news.
I got the blues,
The holiday blues
I wouldn’t have one if I could choose.
I got the lowdown, break it up, so sad I could shake it up blues.
Polhemus calls Scott an “inspiration person.” She teaches at the American Conservatory Theater, the San Francisco Opera Center, BATS Improv and Stanford University.
She recently won an award for Outstanding Contribution to the Improvisational Community at the San Francisco Improv Festival. Scott casually mentioned that her father co-produced The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, and supplied the voice for the classic cartoon moose.
Scott: Growing up, my home had a comedy perspective, but we didn’t sit around talking about the characters. Our dinner table challenges were more about seeing who could actually make someone laugh at a pun.
Polhemus: Creativity was a big part of this family. Do you feel that you have devoted your life to improv? Do you feel that you are on a path?
Scott: I didn't start out choosing the improv path, but as I kept myself open, opportunities would just land on me.
Polhemus: San Francisco has had a huge impact nationally on improv, and you personally have contributed to the theater world’s acceptance and respect of improv. Anything you still want to do?
Scott: I’d like to teach improv at the United Nations. I want everyone to learn improv. The things that make you a good improviser also make you a good person.
Polhemus read some comments about Scott offered by the Stagebridge community:
- Natural risk taker
- Supportive neuron connector
- Brilliantly magical
- Fabulous role model
Come to Stagebridge and be challenged in dozens of delightful ways. Its instructors comprise an impressive roster of established Bay Area Theater professionals.
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