10 things I like about improv festivals

Improv festivals . That time/space where the real world is suspended and people from all over the planet come together to celebrate a shared passion.

What do I like about them?

Here are 10 reasons why I love improv festivals:

1️⃣ They're an opportunity to reconnect with friends I only see in these situations. Some of my closest friends are hundreds of miles away, and sharing a stage, a classroom, a theater, or just time together makes me very happy.

2️⃣ They allow me to meet new people and improv styles. The more I travel, the more I open my mind and receive stimuli that I'm still processing when I return home.

3️⃣ They're the perfect excuse to visit other cities and cultures . Thanks to improv festivals, I've had the opportunity to travel to five continents with one key advantage: having locals happy to show you their places (beyond the tourist sites).

4️⃣ Festivals unite us. Whether you're a freshman or an improv veteran, during those days we all dedicate ourselves 100% to our passion.

5️⃣ They're a humbling experience. It's normal to think you're already the king of your little kingdom, but all that falls apart when you step outside your tiny, tiny domain.

6️⃣ I can present my work to society. We must maintain a healthy relationship with our ego. Going to festivals allows me to show what defines me as an artist and as a teacher.

7️⃣ Networking . Going to festivals allows you to make contacts, meet people, and be known. Do you want to be part of this world of little dreaming and lots of improvisation? Sign up for the next festival and experience it firsthand.

8️⃣ Being a student . With the rush and responsibilities of your daily life, you probably don't have the time (or inclination) to take classes. During a festival, you won't have much time either, but you can make the most of it by taking classes with different teachers and returning home with new ideas.

9️⃣ Talking about improvisation. If I normally talk about improvisation, imagine when I'm surrounded by people with the same passion and desire to talk.

1️⃣0️⃣ Everything that isn't improv . Don't get me wrong, I love the improv part; but after more than 20 years of traveling, what remains are the moments shared offstage: bike rides, breakfasts, and endless conversations that transcend the reason we're together.

Well, well... but not everything is rosy, of course. There are also things I don't like about festivals.

And I'll tell you about them in the next post.