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...
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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

8:00am PDT

GII26 Symposium Registration

Thursday July 9, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT

Broadway Entrance Lobby

Artists

GII26 Team

Thursday July 9, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Broadway Entrance Lobby Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97207

z Organization

8:30am PDT

COFFEE in the Lobby

Thursday July 9, 2026 8:30am - 10:45am PDT

Broadway Entrance Lobby

Enjoy free coffee and snacks while supplies last

Artists

You

You have agency to make choices in life. Engage!

Thursday July 9, 2026 8:30am - 10:45am PDT
Broadway Entrance Lobby Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97207

z Wellness

8:30am PDT

GII Lounge & Bookstore

Thursday July 9, 2026 8:30am - 5:00pm PDT

307 Design Studio

A free space to hang out, meet folks, work or relax! And where you can peruse the display table of publications by GII26 Authors with various purchase options.

Artists

You

You have agency to make choices in life. Engage!

Thursday July 9, 2026 8:30am - 5:00pm PDT
307 Design Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97209

z Wellness

9:00am PDT

The "Un-Keynote" with Anthony Veneziale

Thursday July 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am PDT

75 Recital Hall

Opening plenary with Anthony Veneziale, co-founder of Freestyle Love Supreme

Artists

Anthony Veneziale

Anthony Veneziale also known as Two Touch, is the conceiver and co-creator of the acclaimed Freestyle Love Supreme.Anthony has been performing and teaching applied improvisation for more than 25 years and is a leader in the field of musical improvisation. He is the co-founder of... Read More →

GII26 Team

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)

Thursday July 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am PDT
75 Recital Hall Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97266

All Play Event

10:00am PDT

Activating the Possible: GII26 Podcast Session

Thursday July 9, 2026 10:00am - 5:00pm PDT

205 Classroom

Live Podcast Recording with GII Presenters, hosted by Jonathan Pitts

Artists

Jonathan Pitts

Thursday July 9, 2026 10:00am - 5:00pm PDT
205 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97222

Interview

11:00am PDT

Cog Creative: Navigating Dementia with Improvisation

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

319 Classroom

Cog Creative is a programme of improv classes for those living with dementia, their supporters and health care workers.

Artists

Nicola Pauling

Nicola Pauling is a New Zealand (Aotearoa) based theatre practitioner and specialist in applied practice. She has produced numerous performance projects working across the mediums of theatre, film and radio and in partnership with government agencies, local government, health professionals... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
319 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Panel

11:00am PDT

Improbable Panel

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

221 - Zoom Room

Conversation with Phelim McDermott, Lee Simpson & Matilda Leyser (UK)

Moderators

Theresa Robbins Dudeck

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

Artists

Lee Simpson

Artistic Director, Improbable

Lee is a founder member of Improbable, a Comedy Store Player and one of Paul Merton's Impro Chums. He’s also been a croupier, cinema projectionist and breakfast show DJ. He’s written plays, appeared in sit-coms and in some films, been on some Radio 4 panel shows and once did a... Read More →

Matilda Leyser

Co-Artistic Director, Improbable

Matilda Leyser is a British writer, director, aerialist, and the first female Co-Artistic Director at the UK-based theatre company, Improbable. She is widely known for blending improvisation, storytelling, and physical theatre, and for navigating her creative work alongside personal experiences as a mother and a leukaemia survivor... Read More →

Phelim McDermott

Artistic Director, Improbable

Phelim is a founder member of Improbable. He has won various awards such as an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment, TMA Awards for Best Touring Production and Best Director and a Critics Circle Best Designer Award. He was awarded a National Endowment for Science, Technology and the... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
221 - Zoom Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97215

Panel, Virtual/Online

11:00am PDT

Epic Disney: A Brechtian Approach to Improvisation

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

115 Studio Theater

Artists

Improvacateurs

The Improvocateurs are Samm Hill, Donna Arasin, Michelle Guthrie, Samson Carruth

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
115 Studio Theater Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Performance, Demo

11:00am PDT

Human Connection & Improv: Solving Workforce, Mental Health & Inclusion Challenges through Authentic Connection

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

225 Classroom

How do we solve a workforce development crisis, mental health and substance use challenges, and diversity gaps? The answer: human connection. Join us on this journey. Come connect with us.

Artists

Brent Darnell

Founder/Owner, Brent Darnell International

I teach emotional intelligence and people skills to the construction industry using a lot of improv, storytelling, and gamification.

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
225 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

11:00am PDT

Improv for Role Playing Games

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

327 Acting Studio

This session explores the role and use of improv for role playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and others. It covers key topics including: Character Development (Player Characters, NPCs), Storytelling, World Building and Game Play& Design. The session also discusses how Game Masters (GMs) can use improv to collaborate with players, to provide opportunities for custom gaming experience, and to...
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Artists

Tiffany Anne Crotty

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
327 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97225

Workshop

11:00am PDT

Play the Problem: Improv, Cynefin & the Art of Navigating a Complex World

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

7 Acting Studio

Bring greater weight to your improvisation or teaching. This interactive workshop will bring to life decades of research and practice around the Cynefin* framework, which helps you first identify the kind of problem you’re facing (Simple, Complicated, Complex, or Chaotic) and only then to choose an appropriate response. Improvisers have the skills to address today’s challenges—Cynefin is a...
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Artists

Caitlin McClure

Don Waisanen

Don Waisanen is a “pracademic” who’s always striving to help others level up their understandings and practices for communication and leadership. He's a Professor at Baruch College, CUNY, an adjunct at Columbia and NYU, and the founder of Communication Upward, which provide... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
7 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97230

Workshop

11:00am PDT

The Improvisational Facilitator

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

55 Boiler Room

Great facilitation doesn't just support improv—it is improv. Let’s explore the frameworks, practices, and personal strengths that will enhance your teaching and leadership in any context!

Artists

Kat Koppett

The Facilitation Advantage: How to Drive Impact, Build Relationships, and Lead with Influence

Facilitation skills are a force multiplier for leader effectiveness. They enable leaders to navigate complex challenges, inspire their teams, and achieve exceptional results. The essential ingredients to transform not-so-great interactions into productive, engaging, and inclusive... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
55 Boiler Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

12:30pm PDT

LUNCH (on your own)

Thursday July 9, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm 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!

Thursday July 9, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Portland (on your own) Portland, OR 97207

z Wellness

2:00pm PDT

Improvisation as a Tool for Creating Scripted Content

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

319 Classroom

Improvisation has long been a tool for honing creative skills and creating characters and stories in TV and film. In this panel, we will learn from professional writers and actors how they use improvisation to inspire and create the less ephemeral work of TV and film.

Artists

Andra Whipple

Andra Whipple is a UCI alumni and writer who has worked on Adam Ruins Everything, the WGA Awards, and other things you’ve never heard of. She’s a host of the WGA 3rd and Fairfax podcast, the co-chair of the WGA committee of women writers, and a WGA strike captain. She also... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
319 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Panel

2:00pm PDT

OHSU Vital Talks: Improv in Medical Role-Play

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

225 Classroom

Oregon Health Sciences University trains doctors and nurses in handling end-of-life conversations with patients, parents and children of adult patients. They use skilled improvisors in role-play sessions with students. This panel session will discuss the benefits and challenges, and provide a demonstration or two of the training.

Moderators

Patrick Short

GM, CSz Portland

Artists

Jared Chiarchiaro

Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)

Jared Chiarchiaro is an Associate Professor of Medicine and the Clinical Chief for the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at OHSU. He received his internal medicine training at Duke University Hospital and his Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship training at the University... Read More →

Katie Stowers

Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)

Dr. Katie Stowers is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency and palliative medicine fellowship at The Ohio State University. Katie is an associate professor of medicine. She serves as the Interim Director... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
225 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Panel

2:00pm PDT

Making DAME: Exploring Under-represented Aspects of Female Identity through Improvisation and Community Connection

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

115 Studio Theater

An interactive, educational, and playful roundtable discussion on methods of creating opportunities and safe spaces for discourse and exploration on the complexities of female experiences.

Artists

DAME

Elegant improv, comfortable shoes. DAME has been playing together since 2023 and performs at various venues throughout Portland. The ensemble members represent various backgrounds in age, sexuality, culture, family, and careers. DAME's grounded and fun style explores identity, society, and the redefinition of expectations... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
115 Studio Theater Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Performance, Demo | Panel, Demo

2:00pm PDT

Stories That Move Us

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

327 Acting Studio

Stories That Move Us invites participants to explore personal storytelling through Playback Theatre and improvisation, transforming lived experiences into dynamic, collaborative performances.

Artists

Damilola Apotieri-Abdulai

International Improv Artist, Playback Nigeria, CEO

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
327 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97225

Workshop

2:00pm PDT

The Audacity of Nope: Replacing Passive Agreement with Generous Redirection

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

55 Boiler Room

Keith Johnstone’s playful “Nope” encouraged improvisers to discard ideas that didn’t serve the evolving relationships or narrative. In this workshop, we will explore how to honor the spirit of “Yes And” by generously killing original, “brilliant” offers that do not inspire your partner or support the unfolding collaborative creation.

Artists

Theresa Robbins Dudeck

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

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
55 Boiler Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

2:00pm PDT

Vulnerable Improvisation: The Aesthetic of Chaos, Viscerality & the Dramaturgical Discourse of the “Wild” in the Contemporary Scene

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

221 - Zoom Room

This session aims to promote discussion on vulnerability as a central and philosophical axis of contemporary theatrical improvisation, moving it beyond the exclusive sphere of play, risk, and light entertainment. The analysis begins with the play "WILD IMPROVISATION" (authored and directed by Aline Bourseau), which adopts long-form improvisation as a form of dramaturgical discourse capable of...
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Artists

Aline Bourseau

Brazilian, born in Rio de Janeiro. Actress, Director, and Researcher with over 20 years of experience in the performing arts. She began her career in 1999, accumulating experience under the direction of names such as Barbara Heliodora, Luiz Furlanetto, Demétrio Nicolau. With an academic... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
221 - Zoom Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97215

Workshop, Virtual/Online

3:45pm PDT

Improvisation for Personal & Community Healing

Thursday July 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

225 Classroom

Practitioners from a variety of fields to discuss the research, merits, challenges, and applications of improv for personal and community healing. We will look at work in the fields of conflict resolution, counseling and therapy, palliative care, and medical leadership. This talk will investigate questions like: How has impro changed these fields to date? What does the Venn diagram between...
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Moderators

Brad Fortier

Principal, Fortier Creative Consulting

Brad has been performing, teaching, and directing improv since 1996. He has a unique interdisciplinary MA that combines anthropology and improvised theater. He has authored 2 books on the anthropology of improv, as well as a chapter in the first volume of Applied Improvisation bo... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
225 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Panel

3:45pm PDT

Reindigenizeing Improvisation Storytelling

Thursday July 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

319 Classroom

In this round table, we will discuss how applying Indigenous knowledge systems to improvisation benefits the ways in which we understand storytelling. We will discuss how global Indigenous knowledges are strategically silenced through settler colonization in impro theater, and how to Reindigenize (rather than “decolonize”) our art form.

Artists

Cassie Funmaker

Cassie Funmaker (they/them) (Ho-Chunk Nation) is currently working on their Bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts at Portland State University. This is Cassie’s first production with Bag&Baggage. Other favorite roles include Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play (as Maria; Marge Simpson); Measure... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
319 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Panel

3:45pm PDT

Making Your Improv Auditions Equitable and Ethical

Thursday July 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

7 Acting Studio

In this workshop, you’ll learn what you need to do to have equity in casting and how to design an inclusive, ethical casting process.

Artists

Mary C. Parker

Mary C. Parker has over ten years of improv comedy experience across Pittsburgh, London, Portland, and Seattle, performing at festivals in Edinburgh, Pittsburgh, and Richmond. She is a member of the Pro Team at CSz Seattle, serves as the Education Lead at Bandit Theater, and is founding... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
7 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97230

Workshop

3:45pm PDT

The Information Is In The Room: Improvisation for Inclusion

Thursday July 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

327 Acting Studio

An exploration of embodied inclusion through improvisational movement exercises, and discussions of how improvisation is the primary tool for facilitating inclusion across abilities and ways of being.

Artists

Aaron Wheeler-Kay

Creative Manager, Echo Theater Company

I am a teacher and director specializing in hybridized physical theater. Circus arts are one tool I use in collaboration with other disciplines to tell stories infused with themes of access and inclusion. I am a certified Master Instructor of the DanceAbility Method, a modality for... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
327 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97225

Workshop

3:45pm PDT

The Pedagogy Beneath Johnstone’s Exercises: Less Pressure, More Play

Thursday July 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

115 Studio Theater

This in-person workshop is a practical teaching lab for anyone drawn to improv—teachers, applied improv practitioners, performers, and beginners—who wants to explore the facilitation choices that make relaxed playfulness more likely.

Artists

William Hall

Fratelli Bologna

BATS Improv co-founder. Actor, director, trainer, facilitator and mask teacher.
Find Improv games and activities on: www.ImprovGames.com

Thursday July 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
115 Studio Theater Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

3:45pm PDT

Welcome to the Cypher: Intro to Freestyle Improv

Thursday July 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

55 Boiler Room

Improvising Freestyle Rap with the co-founder of Freestyle Love Supreme

Artists

Anthony Veneziale

Thursday July 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
55 Boiler Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

5:15pm PDT

DINNER (on your own)

Thursday July 9, 2026 5:15pm - 7:00pm 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!

Thursday July 9, 2026 5:15pm - 7:00pm PDT
Portland (on your own) Portland, OR 97207

z Wellness

7:00pm PDT

Love, Shakespeare

Thursday July 9, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT

55 Boiler Room

Witness the magic of unscripted Shakespeare, as a troupe of traveling players performs one of the Bard's “forgotten” comedies. Love, Shakespeare troupe members: Rose Bonomo, Rachel Rosenthal, Andy Perkins, Peri Ahmadi, Jake Hull, Tyler Quinn, Kristen Schier

Artists

Love, Shakespeare

Step into the offbeat world of Love, Shakespeare, where seasoned comedians attempt something audacious: a fully improvised Elizabethan play based on your suggestions! Follow a merry band of players, former buddies of the great Will himself, as they unravel one of the Bard's “unfinished” gems. Each show is an unpredictable tribute... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
55 Boiler Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Performance

8:15pm PDT

Worlds Collide: FreeStyle Love Supreme meets American Immigrants

Thursday July 9, 2026 8:15pm - 9:15pm PDT

75 Recital Hall

A musical, improvised show containing elements from Freestyle Love Supreme, and Anthony’s American Immigrants.

Artists

Anthony Veneziale

Thursday July 9, 2026 8:15pm - 9:15pm PDT
75 Recital Hall Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97266

Performance

8:00am PDT

GII26 Symposium Registration

Friday July 10, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT

Broadway Entrance Lobby

Artists

GII26 Team

Friday July 10, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Broadway Entrance Lobby Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97207

z Organization

8:30am PDT

COFFEE in the Lobby

Friday July 10, 2026 8:30am - 10:45am PDT

Broadway Entrance Lobby

Enjoy free coffee and snacks while supplies last

Artists

You

You have agency to make choices in life. Engage!

Friday July 10, 2026 8:30am - 10:45am PDT
Broadway Entrance Lobby Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97207

z Wellness

8:30am PDT

GII Lounge & Bookstore

Friday July 10, 2026 8:30am - 5:00pm PDT

307 Design Studio

A free space to hang out, meet folks, work or relax! And where you can peruse the display table of publications by GII26 Authors with various purchase options.

Artists

You

You have agency to make choices in life. Engage!

Friday July 10, 2026 8:30am - 5:00pm PDT
307 Design Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97209

z Wellness

9:00am PDT

Building Bridges in Bridge City

Friday July 10, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT

Recital Hall

Let’s catch up as a group, answer some questions and get re-focused for our second full day!

Artists

GII26 Team

Friday July 10, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Recital Hall Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97234

All Play Event

10:00am PDT

Humor, Improvisation and Neuroscience!

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

225 Classroom

Dr. Larry Sherman will explore the purpose of humor, how the brain responds to humor, and the neuroscience of creating comedy and other humorous content compared to what the brain does when engaging with improv. Using a combination of discussion, live examples, and visuals, the presentation will also explore ways that the brain engages in empathy, collaboration, and creativity when teaching,...
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Artists

Larry Sherman

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)

Dr. Larry S. Sherman is a Professor of Neuroscience at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) where he heads a laboratory focused on finding ways to repair brain damage linked to multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. He is also the... Read More →

Troy H. Campbell

On Your Feet

Dr. Troy Hiduke Campbell is a behavioral scientist with an artistic heart. He holds a PhD in consumer and organizational psychology from Duke University. He has served as a marketing professor at the University of Oregon and as a researcher at Walt Disney Imagineering and Netflix. His work includes frequent... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
225 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Panel

10:00am PDT

Improvisation Without Borders: How Spontaneity Is Shaping a Changing World

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

221 - Zoom Room

From trauma recovery with veterans in Ukraine to AI-driven collaboration and boundary-pushing performance, this panel explores how improvisation is activating new possibilities around the world—for resilience, connection, creativity, and transformation.

Moderators

Joel Veenstra

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

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
221 - Zoom Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97215

Panel, Virtual/Online

10:00am PDT

Improvising Wellness: Applied Improvisation as a Tool for Psychosocial Support and Peacebuilding in Nigerian IDP Camps

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

319 Classroom

Improvising Wellness invites improvisers, educators, and peacebuilders to reimagine improvisation not only as an art form, but as a practice of collective healing and transformation. In spaces marked by grief and uncertainty, play becomes a radical act of resilience—and improvisation a rehearsal for possibility.

Artists

Damilola Apotieri-Abdulai

International Improv Artist, Playback Nigeria, CEO

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
319 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Panel

10:00am PDT

How Improv Prepares Us For The Speed Of Change

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

327 Acting Studio

Research shows that applied improv training increases our capacity to make psychological shifts more rapidly, and expand and experiment when faced with the unknown rather than contract into survival mode. Its emphasis on collaboration, social bonding, and creative experience, with a side of joy, makes improv uniquely essential for building psychological resilience that sustains engagement in...
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Artists

Jude Treder-Wolff

Consultant/trainer, Lifestage, Inc

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
327 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97225

Workshop

10:00am PDT

Intimate Possibilities: How Improvisation Activates Emotional Connection (Part I)

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

7 Acting Studio

This workshop offers a deep dive into how improvisation can activate emotional connection. Participants will explore the development of intimate, emotionally grounded, truthful relationships, both on stage and off.

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
7 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97230

Workshop

10:00am PDT

Intuitive or Authentic Improvisation

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

55 Boiler Room

Improvisation given back to the intuitive improviser, wrestling it from the hands of the intellectual and creative. Improv that puts content over comedy.

Artists

Randy Dixon

Artistic Director, Unexpected Productions

Randy Dixon (USA) is regarded as one of the most experienced improvisational artists in the Pacific Northwest and around the world. He was a founding member of Unexpected Productions and has served as the Artistic Director since 1988. Randy founded The Orcas Island Project, an international... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
55 Boiler Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

10:00am PDT

The Resistance Will Not Be Scripted: Improv as Anti-Authoritarian Practice

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

115 Studio Theater

As safety nets and protections in our communities and country constrict, and many groups come increasingly under attack, it can be tougher than ever to find ways to speak up and resist-- while also guarding against exhaustion and burnout-- on limited life energy budgets. This presentation will explore the ways in which the practice of improv might accomplish both. We’ll look together at evidence...
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Artists

Catherine Beckett

Catherine Beckett LCSW, PhD has been improvising with Portland Comedy Theater (CSz Portland) since 2003. In her day job as a therapist in private practice and adjunct professor, she supports clients and students in the work of dismantling old patterns and systems that no longer serve... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
115 Studio Theater Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

10:00am PDT

Activating the Possible: GII26 Podcast Session

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 5:00pm PDT

205 Classroom

Live Podcast Recording with GII Presenters, hosted by Jonathan Pitts

Artists

Jonathan Pitts

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00am - 5:00pm PDT
205 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97222

Interview

11:45am PDT

Your Voice in Comedy: Kickstand Comedy's BIPOC Program

Friday July 10, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT

115 Studio Theater

Kickstand Comedy’s “Finding Your Voice in Comedy” explores how creating affinity spaces for strategically underrepresented communities transformed not only who gets to do comedy — but the comedy itself.Through the development of our BIPOC Comedy Program, our nonprofit theater in Portland, Oregon examined long-standing barriers within improv and comedy education and reimagined what it means...
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Moderators

Eric Simons

Eric Simons (he/him) is a writer, improviser, teacher, and producer originally from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, who has been swimming in Portland rivers since 2015. He has gathered over 20 years of comedy experience from all corners of the contiguous United States (and THREE CANADIAN... Read More →

Artists

Kickstand

Kristen Schier

Kristen Schier (she/her) is an actor, improviser, teacher, and clown. She has extensive improv teaching, directing, and performing experience. She holds a BFA in Theater Arts from the University of the Arts where she also taught Acting for Non-Majors, Improvisation for the Actor, and first-year... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT
115 Studio Theater Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Panel

11:45am PDT

Everything’s An Offer…Really

Friday July 10, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT

327 Acting Studio

Artists

Brad Robertson

Brad Robertson is a Partner at On Your Feet, where he brings decades of experience at the intersection of business, education, and improvisation. Known for his thoughtful, grounded approach, Brad helps leaders and teams navigate complexity, strengthen collaboration, and turn insight... Read More →

Mariah Muñoz

On Your Feet

Mariah Muñoz is a Lead Facilitator with On Your Feet, bringing nearly two decades of experience in improvisation to the worlds of business, leadership, and collaboration. She is known for transforming how people show up, listen, lead, and connect under pressure and in uncertaint... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT
327 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97225

Workshop

11:45am PDT

How to be Curious: Teaching Improv 101

Friday July 10, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT

55 Boiler Room

How do we teach improv? How do we give notes? How do we make people learn who have different styles of growth? Learning how to be curious rather than demanding is not only the a great outlook as artists, but it is also imperative to great learning. Reprograming your mind to not say "that was bad" but ask "how do you think that went?" "Why did we make that choice?" "Where do you think it went...
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Artists

Kendall Uyeji

Jet City Improv

A native-born Seattleite, Kendall Uyeji (he/him) has been performing and producing in his home city for over six years now. He graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Theatre and a Minor in English. He has acted and written for various plays and has worked in... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT
55 Boiler Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

11:45am PDT

Intimate Possibilities: How Improvisation Activates Emotional Connection (Part II)

Friday July 10, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT

7 Acting Studio

Friday July 10, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT
7 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97230

Workshop

11:45am PDT

The Power of Three: Bringing Together Image, Movement & Words to Inspire New Ideas and Connect with Others

Friday July 10, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT

221 - Zoom Room

In the Power of 3 workshops we challenge the dominance of verbal communication and play with bringing together image, movement and words to inspire new ideas and connect with others.

Artists

Kay Scorah

I began my working life as a biophysicist and then made the rather unexpected move into advertising.

In the late 1980s I lived in Venice, California, working as a brand strategist while also studying improvisation and acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. I have a yoga therapy di... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT
221 - Zoom Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97215

Workshop, Virtual/Online

11:45am PDT

Using Applied Improv for Speech, Language and Cognitive Challenges

Friday July 10, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT

319 Classroom

There is a distinct need for treatments in the areas of speech, language, and cognition that can address multiple goals and still keep the clinicians’ students/clients/patients engaged during the practice phase of learning. Improv meets those needs!

Artists

Ruth Jenkins, CCC, MS-SLP

President, CSz Portland

Friday July 10, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT
319 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

12:30pm PDT

LUNCH (on your own)

Friday July 10, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm 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!

Friday July 10, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Portland (on your own) Portland, OR 97207

z Wellness

2:00pm PDT

A Case Study in Representative Improv: The Black Anthology Project

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

221 - Zoom Room

The history of theatre and comedy is extensive, while excluding people from the global majority, especially contributions from Black women. Predominantly white institutions within the arts and entertainment industry reinforce implicit biases and anti-Blackness through a lack of representation of Black women as performers and teachers. This is why the Black Improv Anthology Project (B.A.P.) was...
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Artists

Blue Cavell-Allette

Blue is an award-winning interdisciplinary artist from Baltimore who has been featured as a performer and teacher at theaters across North America. She is currently the lead facilitator for the Arts and Social Justice fellowship with Strathmore (Rockville, MD) and Woolly Mammoth... Read More →

Mary C. Parker

Tashika Campbell

Tashika is a veteran Improviser from North Carolina living in Baltimore, Maryland. Her Improv career started at the Baltimore Improv Group in 2017, where she was a member of the conservatory teams. Tashika is a sought-after facilitator, having worked with Bird City Improv, Improv... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
221 - Zoom Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97215

Panel, Virtual/Online

2:00pm PDT

Improv for Dating & Relationships

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

7 Acting Studio

This session discusses and demonstrates how to apply basic improv principles to help people with their dating and relationship experiences. The goal of such application is to make dating easier and more fun as well as to strengthen existing romantic relationships.

Artists

Tiffany Anne Crotty

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
7 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97230

Workshop

2:00pm PDT

Improvising Shakespeare

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

55 Boiler Room

An introduction to Improvising in the style of Shakespeare, along with the cultural context, for performers who find the genre intimidating or foreign as well as those with experience.

Artists

Rick Steadman

Rick Steadman is the Owner and General Manager of Portland Comedy Theater, home of ComedySportz. Previously, he was the Artistic Director of CSz Seattle, the Education Director and Rec League Coach of CSz Los Angeles, and the Associate Artistic Director of CSz Spokane. He’s been... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
55 Boiler Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

2:00pm PDT

Play the Difference: A Musical Improv Workshop Across Cultures

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

327 Acting Studio

This interactive workshop invites participants to explore cultural differences and creative collaboration through musical improvisation. Designed for performers, educators, and curious learners of all experience levels, the session uses playful musical improv games to uncover how culture, rhythm, language, and shared reference points shape our spontaneous artistic choices. The first portion of the...
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Artists

Xuan Zhao

Xuan Zhao (they/she/he) is a multidisciplinary performer and storyteller based in NYC, exploring how we take up space through voice, body, and memory. Their work spans musical improv, sketch comedy, solo storytelling, and movement, with performances at The Magnet Theater, The Second... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
327 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97225

Workshop

2:00pm PDT

Playing with Kindness

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

115 Studio Theater

This session explores the reciprocal relationship between kindness and improv—how improvisation can cultivate kinder humans, and how practicing kindness can fundamentally deepen and expand our improvisational work.

Artists

Dave Dennison

Dave and Stephanie Dennison are experienced improvisers whose gentle, joyful approach has endeared them to beginners and experienced improvisers alike. Dave has been with BATS Improv in San Francisco since 1993 as a student, a Company member, Teacher, Corporate Trainer, Artistic... Read More →

Stephanie Dennison

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
115 Studio Theater Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

2:00pm PDT

Teaching Beyond Fear: Improv as Change Practice

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

319 Classroom

Whatever the circumstances, teaching when we are afraid is a grueling endeavor. Part of the challenge is structural: most of us receive little training in how to teach in moments of crisis or distress. Another part is deeply personal: we struggle to understand who we need to be when the world feels unstable. As educators, we are obligated to consider what the world needs from us, and what kind of...
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Artists

Brad Fortier

Principal, Fortier Creative Consulting

Emareena Daniels

Me Out Loud

Emareena Daniels is a master educator, field researcher, and public scholar. Emareena Daniels's formal education includes a Master’s of Science in Teaching from Portland State University, and a B.A. in Communications from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte. Emareena... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
319 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

2:00pm PDT

The Art of Improvisational Art Making

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

307 Design Studio

What happens when you collide improvisation with visual art making? For over 30 years, Gary Hirsch has been creating in the zone between applied improvisation and art making. This hands-on, art-making workshop will explore improvisational art making, where the plan is thrown away and artists learn to embrace whatever emerges.

Artists

Gary Hirsch

Oregon, United States, On Your Feet

Gary's work is a mash-up of visual arts, improvisation and business. He is the co-founder of On Your Feet, a pioneer in the field of applied improvisation helping organizations such as Nike, Disney, Apple and others generate new ideas, collaborate, engage audiences and walk their... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
307 Design Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Workshop

3:45pm PDT

Improvising for Others' Well-being: A "Super Happy Birthday" Card Game Workshop

Friday July 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT

221 - Zoom Room

To activate the possible, we must first attend to ourselves and others in the here and now. This workshop proposes that awareness of well-being can serve as a pathway to realizing the latent possibilities of individuals and communities. Research on well-being has established that happiness is subjective and multidimensional. Diener's work on subjective well-being demonstrated that happiness...
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Artists

Yuri Kinigawa

Actor, improviser, CEO of Impro Works; Researcher, U-Tokyo. Studies improvisation & cognition.

Friday July 10, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
221 - Zoom Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97215

Workshop, Virtual/Online

3:45pm PDT

Creating a New Form: The Vision🖤Euro Experience

Friday July 10, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

319 Classroom

Erika Lowe created this hit show from the ground up, with music by David Gordon. It’s now expanded to Portland and other cities. Learn about their approach, and how their focus on cultural awareness, intimacy and consent helped create a wonderful performance experience.

Artists

David Gordon

David "Gordon" Gordon is an improvisor, composer, playwright, and producer from Seattle. He is the director of Sound & Fury: an improvised Shakespeareance, and the co-director/co-creator of the improvised Vision Euro Söng Cöntest, for which he is also makes the music. His most... Read More →

Erika Lowe

CSz Seattle

Erika Lowe is the Managing Owner and Artistic Director of CSz Seattle - Home of ComedySportz. She's performed and taught short form, long form and musical improv in multiple states from coast to coast over the last 30+ years. Her director and producer credits include Vision Euro... Read More →

Patrick Short

GM, CSz Portland

Friday July 10, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
319 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Panel, Demo

3:45pm PDT

Easy Bake Coven: A Magical Musical Improv Show

Friday July 10, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

115 Studio Theater

A gaggle of fat-positive, gay witches traveling realms to share magic through musical improv! Celebrating audiences and creating community, these witches create a space of joy where all can feel welcome to engage with their imagination.

Friday July 10, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
115 Studio Theater Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Performance

3:45pm PDT

Embracing the Unknowable Future with Buber, Spolin and Sills

Friday July 10, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

327 Acting Studio

These days, uncertainty about the future has grown into anxiety and dread for many people.. Applied improv training can teach business people to be more flexible and agile in decision-making. Improv games teach helpful skills for coping with anxiety and navigating the ever-changing landscape. Amidst the epidemics of isolation and loneliness, we are also seeing a frightening increase of hate .and...
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Artists

Amy Seham

Amy is a director, playwright, improviser and author of Whose Improv Is It, Anyway? Beyond Second City (2001) a ground-breaking (and still quite relevant) study of gender, race, and power in Chicago improv comedy. Her new book, Improv for the 21st Century, is forthcoming from Rou... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
327 Acting Studio Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97225

Workshop

3:45pm PDT

Playing Softball: Improv Negotiation Strategies for Teachers

Friday July 10, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

225 Classroom

Students and teachers can often feel in conflict with each other, taking on unhealthy "Win / Lose" strategies that are not ideal for teamwork or collaboration goals. Thankfully, improvisation teaches us better ways to negotiate.

Artists

Brooke Oehme

Brooke Oehme is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, and the Education Director for ComedySportz Quad Cities. Her workshop will explore how improv-based negotiation strategies transfer into the classroom to help support both students... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
225 Classroom Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

3:45pm PDT

The Power of You: Marginalized Genders Reclaiming Space, Authority & Authenticity with Improvisation

Friday July 10, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

55 Boiler Room

Across professional environments, people of marginalized genders often navigate communication barriers—being interrupted, overlooked, spoken over, second-guessed, or expected to shrink their voice to maintain harmony. The Power of You is an applied improv workshop designed to help participants reclaim space, authority, and authenticity in the face of these dynamics. Using the principles of...
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Artists

Betse Green

CSz Portland

Friday July 10, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
55 Boiler Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Workshop

5:15pm PDT

DINNER (on your own)

Friday July 10, 2026 5:15pm - 7:00pm 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!

Friday July 10, 2026 5:15pm - 7:00pm PDT
Portland (on your own) Portland, OR 97207

z Wellness

7:00pm PDT

P.I.E. Slices of Life

Friday July 10, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT

55 Boiler Room

PSU Impro Ensemble (P.I.E.), an advanced student troupe directed by Theresa Robbins Dudeck and housed in Portland State University's Theater program, presents "slices" of narrative impro & Mask work!

Artists

P.I.E. (PSU Impro Ensemble)

Friday July 10, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
55 Boiler Room Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Performance

7:00pm PDT

Ruby Rocket

Friday July 10, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT

115 Studio Theater

Artists

Stacey Hallal

Curious Comedy

Stacey Hallal is the creator of Ruby Rocket, Inside Improv, Founder and Artistic Director of Curious Comedy Theater, All Jane Comedy Fest. Lover of dogs and adventures.

Friday July 10, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
115 Studio Theater Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Performance

8:15pm PDT

Vision🖤Euro

Friday July 10, 2026 8:15pm - 9:45pm PDT

75 Recital Hall

An improvised song battle, with backstories, featuring combined casts of the Seattle and Portland productions of this hit musical show.

Artists

Patrick Short

GM, CSz Portland

Vision🖤Euro Söng Cöntest

Vision🖤Euro Söng Cöntest, created by Erika Lowe and David Gordon, debuted in late 2023 and has run for 3 sold-out seasons at Seattle Comedy Theater (CSz Seattle). In May, 2025, Portland Comedy Theater debuted their company’s version of the show, with music and direction by Patrick Short, and the show has... Read More →

Friday July 10, 2026 8:15pm - 9:45pm PDT
75 Recital Hall Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97266

Performance

8:00am PDT

COFFEE in the Lobby

Saturday July 11, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am PDT

Broadway Entrance Lobby

Enjoy free coffee and snacks while supplies last

Artists

You

You have agency to make choices in life. Engage!

Saturday July 11, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am PDT
Broadway Entrance Lobby Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97207

z Wellness

9:00am PDT

GII26 Open Space Opening Circle

Saturday July 11, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

75 Recital Hall

At this session, we’ll introduce Open Space Concepts and you will create the offers and sessions for Saturday!

Artists

GII26 Team

Saturday July 11, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
75 Recital Hall Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97266

All Play Event

10:15am PDT

GII26 Open Space Block 1

Saturday July 11, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Various Spaces

First Round of breakout sessions in the Open Space Technology format

Artists

You

You have agency to make choices in life. Engage!

Saturday July 11, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Various Spaces Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97267

Open Space

11:30am PDT

GII26 Open Space Block 2

Saturday July 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Various Spaces

Second Round of breakout sessions in the Open Space Technology format

Artists

You

You have agency to make choices in life. Engage!

Saturday July 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Various Spaces Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97267

Open Space

12:30pm PDT

Improv in Real Life Podcast

Saturday July 11, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT

75 Recital Hall

Artists

Jude Treder-Wolff

Consultant/trainer, Lifestage, Inc

Saturday July 11, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
75 Recital Hall Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97266

Interview

12:30pm PDT

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

Saturday July 11, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm 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

Theresa Robbins Dudeck

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

Saturday July 11, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
115 Studio Theater Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97231

Screening

12:30pm PDT

LUNCH (on your own)

Saturday July 11, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm 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!

Saturday July 11, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Portland (on your own) Portland, OR 97207

z Wellness

2:00pm PDT

GII26 Open Space Block 3

Saturday July 11, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Various Spaces

Third Round of breakout sessions in the Open Space Technology format

Artists

You

You have agency to make choices in life. Engage!

Saturday July 11, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Various Spaces Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97267

Open Space

3:15pm PDT

GII26 Symposium & Open Space Closing Circle

Saturday July 11, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

75 Recital Hall

At our final session, we’ll have a chance to reflect and celebrate.

Artists

GII26 Team

Saturday July 11, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
75 Recital Hall Lincoln Hall PSU, 1620 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97266

All Play Event

7:00pm PDT

Saturday Night Improv Across Portland

Saturday July 11, 2026 7:00pm - 11:00pm PDT

Various Locations

Improv Shows at participating theaters!

Artists

You

You have agency to make choices in life. Engage!

Saturday July 11, 2026 7:00pm - 11:00pm PDT
Various Locations Portland, OR 97207

Performance