GII Symposium 2026: Full Schedule

This workshop helps improvisers apply their stagecraft — collaboration, adaptability, and creative problem-solving — to real-world challenges and social change. Through games and conversation, participants explore their collective power and leave with tools to spark similar discussions in their own communities.

Artists

Caitlin McClure

Caitlin McClure helps leaders in healthcare, investment banking, cybersecurity and auto manufacturing to unlock the brilliance of their teams and show up as the leaders they want to be, every day. For more than 20 years she has been designing and facilitating face-to-face and virtual... Read More →

Wednesday July 8, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
55 Boiler Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

2:00pm PDT

Improv Jam: Activate the Possible!

Wednesday July 8, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

327 Acting Studio

Improv Jam invites GII participants to step on stage for a spontaneous short-form improvisation experience. Directed live by Damilola Abdulai-Apotieri, performers will create scenes on the spot—no prior rehearsals, scripts, or preparation required. This energetic session demonstrates how improvisation fosters trust, creativity, and ensemble collaboration in real time. Audiences witness the power of collective spontaneity as diverse voices come together to co-create a unique performance that can only exist in that moment.

Artists

Damilola Apotieri-Abdulai

International Improv Artist, Playback Nigeria, CEO

Oluwadamilola Apotieri-Abdulai (NG) is the CEO of Playback Nigeria and a member of the board of Centre for Playback Theatre (USA). He is a confidence coach and communication skills trainer dedicated to bringing effective change to individuals and organizations through theatre and improv. He is Nigeria’s first Applied... Read More →

Wednesday July 8, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
327 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97225

Workshop

2:00pm PDT

How to GII?

Wednesday July 8, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

319 Classroom

Orienting to the Symposium at PSU: Plan your itinerary, tour Lincoln Hall, review improv basics, plus Q&A

Artists

P.I.E. (PSU Impro Ensemble)

The PSU Impro Ensemble, composed primarily of Theater Arts majors, focuses on theatrical improvisation. They perform several times a quarter for different events and festivals, and as part of outreach initiatives across campus and for the greater Portland community. Auditions are... Read More →

Wednesday July 8, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
319 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

z Organization

4:00pm PDT

Welcome to GII26 Opening Gathering: Activate the Possible!

Wednesday July 8, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm PDT

75 Recital Hall

Artists

GII26 Team

Joel Veenstra

Faculty | Co-Founder/Creative Team, University of California, Irvine | Global Improvisation Initiative (GII)

Joel Veenstra teaches improvisation, stage management, and collaborative production at the University of California, Irvine. He is active in the improvisation and applied improvisation world and serves on the Board of AIN and as the co-director of Global Improvisation Initiative... Read More →

Theresa Robbins Dudeck

Assistant Professor | Co-Founder/2026 Chair, Portland State University | Global Improvisation Initiative (GII)

Theresa Robbins Dudeck
Assistant Professor of Theater at Portland State University; Co-founder of the Global Improvisation Initiative (GII); and Director of P.I.E. (PSU Impro Ensemble). Theresa works internationally as a theatre practitioner with expertise in improvisation. She is a Fulbright Scholar (Brazil), autho... Read More →

Wednesday July 8, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm PDT
75 Recital Hall Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97266

All Play Event

5:30pm PDT

DINNER (on your own)

Wednesday July 8, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT

Portland (on your own)

Enjoy a meal in the amazing city of Portland

Artists

You

You have agency to make choices in life. Engage!

Wednesday July 8, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Portland (on your own) Portland, OR 97207

z Wellness

6:30pm PDT

The Theatre Machine Reunion docushort & Keith Johnstone’s Master Class, GII 2017

Wednesday July 8, 2026 6:30pm - 8:00pm PDT

115 Studio Theater

Screenings of two new films: The Theatre Machine Reunion award-winning, documentary short & Keith Johnstone’s Master Class from the GII 2017.

Artists

Joel Veenstra

Faculty | Co-Founder/Creative Team, University of California, Irvine | Global Improvisation Initiative (GII)

Theresa Robbins Dudeck

Assistant Professor | Co-Founder/2026 Chair, Portland State University | Global Improvisation Initiative (GII)

Wednesday July 8, 2026 6:30pm - 8:00pm PDT
115 Studio Theater Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Screening

8:30pm PDT

The Oracle

Wednesday July 8, 2026 8:30pm - 10:00pm PDT

75 Recital Hall

A performance in which the audience asks the big questions and The Oracle improvises explorations of the answers

Artists

Jonathan Pitts

Jonathan Pitts is an award-winning international improv theatre artist and storyteller living in Chicago. He's performed and/or taught in 30 countries and over 100 cities. He's the former Executive Director of Chicago Improv Productions; Co-Founder/Producer Chicago Improv Festival... Read More →

Wednesday July 8, 2026 8:30pm - 10:00pm PDT
75 Recital Hall Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97266

Performance

12:00pm PDT

12:00pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

4:00pm PDT

5:30pm PDT

6:30pm PDT

8:30pm PDT

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