Several Friendswood High School students got the opportunity
to take classes from and perform with Charna Halpern from the
iO Chicago at the Texas Educational Theatre Association's Theatrefest
2007.
The conference took place at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown
Houston on January 18, 19, and 20. Students took classes in beginning
and advanced long-form improvisation.
Four Friendswood students were asked to take part in a performance
for the convention attendees on Saturday night.
Performers included Peter Bourgeois, Charles Easterly, Audrey
Huffman, and Caleb Brown.
Charna Halpern has been named by Variety as one of the top
10 women in entertainment. Comedian/actor Mike Myers calls her
the Uta Hagen of comedy.
The creator of long form improvisation, which changed the
face of comedy forever, Halpern recently celebrated her 25th
year as the director of iO (formerly ImprovOlympic) in Chicago
and iO West in Los Angeles.
She and her partner, the late Del Close, have been responsible
for fostering the talents and sensibilities of some of the biggest
stars in show business.
Their alumni include Bill Murray, John Belushi, Gilda Radner,
Mike Myers, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Andy Richter, Andy Dick,
Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau - just to name a few.
Her theaters have been the conduit for talented performers
and writers to television shows such as Saturday Night Live,
Late Night with Conan O'Brien, MADtv, The Daily Show with John
Stewart and The Colbert Report, as well as numerous sitcoms and
feature films.
Under Halpern's guidance, iO is producing the next generation
of artistic geniuses as well.
She is the author of Truth in Comedy which is considered
the bible for improvisation in the entertainment industry and
is mandatory reading in the theater departments of many colleges.
Her newest book, Art by Committee - An Advance Guide to
Improvisation, takes her work even further. She has recently
opened a third training Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Other students also attending were: Tyler Beveridge, Kelli
Philp, Julia Bynum, Baker Goldsmith, Devin Brown and Katlyn McDonald
Directors: Kathy Powdrell and Amy Thornton |
