What could be better than charity, cultural exchange and laughter?

From April 13th-16th the Beijing Improv and Mahua Improv have teamed up to host Beijing’s sixth annual International Improv Festival! Bringing together top-notch improv troupes from all across Asia, the five day festival will include performances, workshops, and public parties with the performers. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Huadan, a local Beijing NGO which provides essential skills training and education to migrant women and children throughout China.

Let it never be said that comedy cannot be translated! This bilingual festival will get everyone laughing together, and when we laugh together, we become better pengyous.

Read more about the International Improv Festival below, and be sure to reserve your tickets early!

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On April 13th-16th, improv troupes and performing artists from all over Asia will converge in Beijing to participate in a four-day program encompassing a variety of events, including a public opening party, performances, workshops, and after party. Beijing Improv’s Mainstage English Players and Bilingual Improv Group (BIG) will take to the stage and run intensive comedy workshops alongside special China-wide guests, and audiences and performers alike will have the chance to experience a wide range of improvised theatre – from quick-fire “who’s line” style comedy to long-form drama, and even improvised musicals.

 

 

When/Where: The festival will take place at the A33 Theater, #4 Chegongzhuang Street, Xinhua Art Garden Building 20, Dongcheng District (Near Subway Line 2/6 Chegongzhuang Station). See the infographic below for the festival schedule:

 

The following groups are scheduled to perform:

BEIJING

• Beijing Improv English Players (English)
• Beijing Broads (English)
• Beijing Improv Bilingual Improv Group (English/中文)
• Mahua Improv (中文)
• People’s Republic of Improv (中文)
• Jishen Laile (中文)
• Improv First (中文)
• Mamahuhu (中文)
• Post Serious (中文)
• Pingmin Yingxiong (中文)
• Improv Pie (中文 – Children’s Show)

GREATER CHINA

• 3 Dudes (English, Hong Kong)
• Zmack (English, Shanghai)
• Channel 21 (English, Suzhou)
• Jiletuan (中文, Shanghai)
• UFO (中文, Shanghai)

…And more!

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Festival and performances aside, improv is a great practice for people across all sectors to improve flexibility, teamwork, and more. Not to mention practicing your Chinese in an improvised setting is a great way to workout your language skills! The Beijing improv crew hosts weekly workshops where anyone can come be a part of the fun and learn together. For more information, follow the official account on wechat (id: beijingimprov) to receive updates, reserve tickets, and more.

 

About Beijing Improv:

 

Founded in 2007, Beijing Improv is mainland China’s oldest and most acclaimed improvisation theatre group, producing acclaimed standing-room-only English language shows, bilingual workshops and bilingual Improv performances.  Re-interpreting life in ever-changing Beijing through spontaneous and humorous stories and scene work, Beijing Improv is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that donates all proceeds of its events to community NGOs. Life is better when improvised!

 

About Mahua Improv and Kaixin Mahua:

is a Beijing-based celebrated private comedy theater that in the last year opened a series of Improv classes. Mahua Improv is run by private entertainment company Kaixin Mahua. They bring Upright Citizens Brigate teachers from the US to China to lead workshops and teach improv classes to local actors and improv lovers. They wish to expand the local improv community and make improv big in China!