Attila Improv: Invade The Stage

Attila is an independent theatrical collective that is dedicated to performing high energy, ensemble-based improvised works. Attila formed in December 2006 by six actors, who first collaborated at Chicago's famous iO Theatre (formerly ImprovOlympic), and have been storming stages with their energetic shows ever since. Attila has performed at such venues as iO, American Theatre Company, The Playground Theatre, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, and The Cornservatory Theatre. They perform monthly at CIC, and have been the House Improv troupe at Cornservatory for over a year since winning The Improv Gladiators Cagematch. Attila is currently directed by Louis Saunders (Pudding Thank You, Airbourne), and have worked with Barry Hite (Improvised Shakespeare, Bullet Lounge) and Andy St. Clair (Second City E.T.C. Stage, 3033). This Spring, Attila has been chosen to be filmed for a documentary about the improv culture in Chicago, and are competing in iO’s $800 Cage Match.

Attila performs the Shared Experience. In this style of improv, the entire ensemble, using a single audience suggestion, begins the piece with a group scene. During the opening scene the actors agree to share the same experience by exploring each character’s point of view in the moment to create the world around them. Themes and characters are further explored by staying in the same scene for the whole piece or by a run of tangential scenes that lead back to the opening.

The diverse theatrical backgrounds of each Attila member pepper the Shared Experience with the appropriate mixture of patient scene work and playful shenanigans. With this recipe, Attila provides a long form improvisation experience that appeals to all audiences.