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REGISTER FOR A COURSE IN JANUARY 2025
zurich improv comedy festival - 20, 21, 22 + 27, 28, 29 JUNE 2025
Zurich Improv Comedy Festival 2025 is COMING FAST! Mark your calendars for JUNE 2025 as Close Encounters Theatre brings the world's most talented improvisers for two unforgettable weekends of spontaneous brilliance!
SAVE THE DATE
20, 21, 22 + 27, 28, 29 JUNE 2025
20, 21, 22 + 27, 28, 29 JUNE 2025
" " - the 50's
Weekend 1
Sat, 21 JunIda Theatre, Zürich21 Jun 2025, 10:30 – 16:30 CESTIda Theatre, Zürich, Aargauerstrasse 80, 8048 Zürich, Switzerland21 Jun 2025, 10:30 – 16:30 CESTIda Theatre, Zürich, Aargauerstrasse 80, 8048 Zürich, SwitzerlandWe will enter the world of “Chairs”, a long form of improvisational theatre combining comedy, physical theatre, images, abstract and concrete, and, obviously, chairs. Within the spacial confines a chair provides, the actors discover the freedom to creatively stage stories, worlds, find patterns…
Sun, 22 JunCET Studio, Zürich22 Jun 2025, 11:00 – 17:00 CESTCET Studio, Zürich, Pfingstweidstrasse 101, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland22 Jun 2025, 11:00 – 17:00 CESTCET Studio, Zürich, Pfingstweidstrasse 101, 8005 Zürich, SwitzerlandExplore the clown world: honor the now, obey impulse, create, and unleash inhibitions all while wearing the smallest mask in the world. Take pleasure in being ridiculous and find out what is uniquely funny about YOU!
20, 21, 22 JUNE 2025
Weekend 2
Sat, 28 JunComedyhaus, Zürich28 Jun 2025, 10:30 – 16:30Comedyhaus, Zürich, Albisriederstrasse 16, 8003 Zürich, Switzerland28 Jun 2025, 10:30 – 16:30Comedyhaus, Zürich, Albisriederstrasse 16, 8003 Zürich, SwitzerlandUnlock the power of one of improv’s most iconic formats! In this workshop, we’ll break down the structure of The Harold, focusing on how to build compelling themes, different story structures, and satisfying callbacks...
Sat, 28 JunCET Studio, Zürich28 Jun 2025, 10:30 – 16:30 CESTCET Studio, Zürich , Pfingstweidstrasse 101, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland28 Jun 2025, 10:30 – 16:30 CESTCET Studio, Zürich , Pfingstweidstrasse 101, 8005 Zürich, SwitzerlandIn this session, we will develop distinct characters with motivations, and they will star in a directed longform narrative format. We’ll also explore the conventions of the soap opera, including melodramatic acting, exposition in dialogue, and cliffhangers…
Sun, 29 JunCET Studio, Zürich29 Jun 2025, 10:30 – 16:30 CESTCET Studio, Zürich, Pfingstweidstrasse 101, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland29 Jun 2025, 10:30 – 16:30 CESTCET Studio, Zürich, Pfingstweidstrasse 101, 8005 Zürich, SwitzerlandWe will dive into gender theory and history before challenging ourselves to play the opposite sex on stage without judgment. We will then challenge ourselves to play scenes without ANY gender presumptions at all. The laboratory’s goal is to make us see the world through different gender glasses.
Sun, 29 JunLocation is TBD29 Jun 2025, 10:30 – 16:30 CESTLocation is TBD29 Jun 2025, 10:30 – 16:30 CESTLocation is TBDIn this workshop, we will explore exercises to heighten awareness of where the story started,where it is headed, and how to stay on track. We will work towards clear and efficient scenes, without sacrificing the fun. We will build strong platforms (where, who, what) …
Sun, 29 JunIda Theatre, Zürich29 Jun 2025, 10:30 – 16:30 CESTIda Theatre, Zürich, Aargauerstrasse 80, 8048 Zürich, Switzerland29 Jun 2025, 10:30 – 16:30 CESTIda Theatre, Zürich, Aargauerstrasse 80, 8048 Zürich, SwitzerlandWhat lights you up on stage? In this workshop, we’ll explore trusting your impulses, embracing happy failure, and finding the joy in every moment. Through exercises that encourage bold choices, unexpected surprises, and leaning into the unknown, you’ll learn to identify those sparks of joy…