GII Symposium 2026: Full Schedule

8:30pm PDT

The Oracle

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

The Oracle is a unique international live theater production that combines improvisation, devised theatre, music, and storytelling with characters and rituals based on the ancient Greek's Oracle of Delphi to comedically and dramatically explore questions the audience has about life and living in today's world. If you could ask one question to The Oracle, one that matters to you, what would it be?

The Oracle, created by international award-winning Chicago improviser Jonathan Pitts, has so far been performed in 11 cities and 8 countries. Each performance features a cast of international improv artists and musicians, and each production incorporates aspects of the culture of the city and country it's performed in.

Featuring
Priest: Jonathan Pitts
Oracle of Delphi: Angel Castillo Cueva, Betse Green, Brad Fortier, Cassie Funmaker, Sidney Palmer, Danger Swatosh, Kristen Schier, and Nick Condon
Musician: Patrick Short

Artists

Jonathan Pitts

Owner/Producer, Global Improv Walkabout

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

Performance

11:00am PDT

Epic Disney: A Brechtian Approach to Improvisation

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

115 Studio Theater

Using elements of Brecht and Disney animated films as a launchpad, this interactive workshop will demonstrate and then break down the elements of how to tell the untold stories of a world where only 1% hold the magic. The Improvacateurs explore both dramatic and comedic theater to highlight our changing society. The Improvacateurs are Donna Arasin, Samson Caruth, Michele Guthrie, Samm Hill and Myra Lavenue.

Artists

The Improvacateurs

The Improvacateurs explore both dramatic and comedic theater to highlight our changing society. The Improvacateurs are Donna Arasin, Samson Caruth, Michele Guthrie, Samm Hill and Myra Lavenue.

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

Performance, Demo

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.

Elegant improv, comfortable shoes.
DAME is a Portland-based collective of seasoned femme improvisers. Their fun and grounded style explores identity and questions expectations through connected, relationship-driven scene work and storytelling. Their current project, Menoprov, blends improv with health education to demystify the menopausal transition.

Artists

DAME

Elegant improv, comfortable shoes.
DAME is a Portland-based collective of seasoned femme improvisers. Their fun and grounded style explores identity and questions expectations through connected, relationship-driven scene work and storytelling. Their current project, Menoprov... Read More →

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

Performance, Demo | Panel, Demo

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

Performance

7:00pm PDT

Mosaic Complex and Oprah's Book Club

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

115 Studio Theater

Performances by two of Portland's premiere BIPOC improv teams, seen regularly at Kickstand Comedy!

Artists

Mosaic Complex

Every neighbor has a story. Come take a peak inside the Mosaic Complex, a comedy show that explores the many lives that enrich a completely improvised apartment building. Every show we visit a new apartment—all based on your stories! If you enjoy eavesdropping on characters from... Read More →

Oprah's Book Club

What’s your favorite book? Oprah's Book Club, a favorite at Kickstand, features three bold, hilarious Black women with undeniable chemistry. Their shared perspective shapes the tone, blending sharp wit with real-life insight. Every show is playful, smart, and full of surprises.
... Read More →

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

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.

FEATURING:

Anthony Veneziale
Vivek Venugopal
Emily Larkin
Patrick Short
Rachel Rosenthal
Ian Lootens (Beatboxer)
Alexandra Washington (aka, A’ Revolution)

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 the applied improvisation company , a Tony Award winner, a Grammy nominated Broadway & TV star and designer of a UCSF... Read More →

Thursday July 9, 2026 8:15pm - 9:15pm PDT
75 Recital Hall

Performance

9:30pm PDT

Keith Johnstone’s Maestro Impro™

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

75 Recital Hall

16 Improvisors compete in scenes and games to crown a Maestro!

Thursday July 9, 2026 9:30pm - 11:00pm PDT
75 Recital Hall

Performance

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.

Artists

Easy Bake Coven

Easy Bake Coven is a gaggle of fat-positive, gay witches traveling realms to share magic through musical improv. Join us in celebrating our audience with a show and talkback.
Cast:Kyndel James (Musical Director)Ally Kineman
Kalin Harlowe
Mick James
Shelby Young
Sophie Carter-Kahn
... Read More →

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

Performance

7:00pm PDT

P.I.E. in PURGATORY

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

55 Boiler Room

PSU Impro Ensemble (P.I.E.), directed by Theresa Robbins Dudeck and housed in Portland State University’s School of Music & Theater, presents PURGATORY—an original improvised structure where souls await judgment, and the audience holds the ultimate power. Have these wandering spirits achieved true spiritual maturity, or do they have more lessons to learn? The verdict is yours.

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 →

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

Performance

7:00pm PDT

Ruby Rocket

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

115 Studio Theater

Ruby Rocket is an intoxicating, intoxicated private eye who always gets her man. Except, of course, when she doesn’t. In this hilarious improvised show, Stacey Hallal plays Ruby, weaving vivid noir storytelling, physical comedy, and Jon Timm’s innovative multimedia imagery.

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

Performance

8:15pm PDT

Vision🖤Euro

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

75 Recital Hall

Full Vision🖤Euro Program Link!

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

Hosts: Mickey McGee and Erika Lowe
Music: Patrick Short and David Gordon
Capo: Lynsey Kemplin
Lights and Sound: Jamie Montgomery
Tech help: Bill Cernansky
Screens: Mary Ann Rambo (remote)

Competitors: Shayne Hanson, Meagan Gombart, Jason Hays, Camilla Franklin, Lee Hopps, Jen Petti
Swings: Ian Lootens, Drew Simchik, Ruth Jenkins, Amy Milshtein
Past Winner: Mary C Parker

Artists

CSz Portland Comedy Theatre

ComedySportz® was started in 1984 in Milwaukee, WI, by Dick Chudnow, who based it on the competitive Theatresports improvisational techniques of Keith Johnstone from Calgary, Alberta. Expansion began with the addition of Madison, WI, in 1985. The first Comedy League of America National... Read More →

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

Managing Owner + Artistic Director, CSz Seattle - Home of ComedySportz

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

Education Director, Portland Comedy Theater

Patrick Short is currently the Education Director at CSz Portland (Oregon) and Portland Comedy Theater; formerly co-owner and GM of CSz Portland; former Executive Director of CSz Worldwide. Member of the Applied Improvisation Network (AIN) Board; Board Member for Access To Play (Nigeria... Read More →

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

Performance

10:00pm PDT

Keith Johnstone’s Maestro Impro™

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

75 Recital Hall

16 Improvisors compete in scenes and games to crown a Maestro!

Friday July 10, 2026 10:00pm - 11:30pm PDT
75 Recital Hall

Performance

7:00pm PDT

Saturday Night Improv Across Portland

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

Various Locations

TONIGHT! We are sending you across Portland to see shows at a few of our favorite theaters offering discounts to GII participants!

Kickstand Comedy — Two Free Tickets for Big Dogs, July 11th at 7pm. Use the code GIIS2026 (while supplies last.) Big Dogs features an exclusive roster of Kickstand's best improv teams. Their comedy will have you rolling over and howling! Give yourself a treat with a night of guaranteed laughs! https://www.kickstandcomedy.org

Portland Comedy Theater — Half-price tickets tonight for ComedySportz (7:00 pm) and 3 Play: Three Improvised One-Act Comedies (9:00 pm). Go to https://www.portlandcomedy.com/buy-tickets, select show, select number of tickets, then in the Team Code box, enter: GII

Curious Comedy Theater — Two free tickets to any show tonight (Saturday) and/or Sunday; 5 different shows to choose from! Go to https://www.curiouscomedy.org/shows, choose your show and 1-2 tickets, and in the Discount Code box, enter: GIICurious

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

8:30pm PDT

11:00am PDT

2:00pm PDT

7:00pm PDT

7:00pm PDT

8:15pm PDT

9:30pm PDT

3:45pm PDT

7:00pm PDT

7:00pm PDT

8:15pm PDT

10:00pm PDT

7:00pm PDT

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