Unexpected Productions (UP) is an improvisational comedy company in Seattle, Washington, USA. From their home at the Market Theater in Seattle's historic Pike Place Market, in Post Alley, Unexpected Productions produces year-round shows, teaches improv classes, and hosts the Seattle International Festival of Improvisation.
History
Unexpected Productions was formed by three different improv groups as the “Seattle Theatresports League”, and was the first improv group in the US to perform Theatresports, which now holds the title of the longest running show in Seattle. By 1988, the group was exploring many additional forms of spontaneous theatre, and the name was changed to “Unexpected Productions”. In June 2008, Unexpected Productions celebrated the 25th anniversary of its first Theatresports match.
Actor Brendan Fraser is among the graduates of Unexpected Productions improv classes, and Joel McHale was a Theatresports cast member from 1993 to 1997.
The Seattle International Festival of Improvisation
Unexpected Productions has, since 1997, hosted The Seattle Festival of International Improvisation. The festival gathers individual improvisers from around the world, who train together for a week long period, culminating in several performances. The festival has traditionally been held in June, around the anniversary of Unexpected Productions. Year Festival Theme 1993 The Seattle International Festival of Improv (No Specific Theme) 1997 All Female Cast 1999 Old Friends 2000 Get Out of your Skin 2001 Body and Soul 2002 Taking It Personally: Personal Stories, Collective Voices 2003 Stereotypes and Clichés 2004 Words, Sounds, Silence 2005 Blurred Lines 2006 Holding Up the Mirror 2007 Jazz 2008 Invisibility 2009 Zen 2010 Trinity: The Rule of Three 2011 The Fool 2012 Wabi Sabi 2013 Between You and Me: The Audience and Performer 2014 Serious Play 2015 Emergence 2016 All Around You 2017 Power
See also Improvisational theatre List of improvisational theatre companies Gum Wall
External links Main Website
Sources