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Long-Form Improvisation

Lila Theatre defines long-form improvisation as the creation of an improvised theatre production, in a variety of structures, performed by a closely connected ensemble, typically lasting from twenty to ninety minutes.

 

Lila Theatre's style develops each artist's voice, both individually and within an ensemble, through a non-judgmental truth-based process while encompassing a hybrid of techniques and theories developed at lila theatre and the great improv theatres in Chicago and NYC. Our major influences/training include:

 

Theatres/Training

Annoyance Productions

Improv Olympic

WNEP Theatre

The Second City

Upright Citizen's Brigade

 

People

Del Close

Armando Diaz

Charna Halpern

Heather Parady

Mick Napier

David Razowsky

Viola Spolin

 

   

In addition to long-form improvisation, Lila Theatre also develops and performs original sketch and cabaret.

 

Sketch

Lila Theatre defines sketch as a short play. Lila Theatre sketches are 1-5 minutes long, inspired and written from the truthful experiences of our artists. 

 

Cabaret

Lila Theatre defines cabaret as a production of songs and stories that are delivered simply and honestly while breaking the fourth wall in an intimate space, usually strung together by a unifying theme.

 

 

San Francisco, CA

 

Lila Theatre History

Jill and Christopher Eickmann founded Lila Theatre early February 2003. Fusing classic improvisational theories with their own theories of truthful, artistic play, the Lila Theatre Training Center began offering its first Long-Form Improvisation Class at Studio C in the Mission.  

Shortly after, Lila Theatre cast its founding Resident Company and began performing sold out shows around the city. With a new community forming, Lila Theatre needed a permanent home to grow. So in July 2005 Lila Theatre moved into Stage 250 at the Off-Market Theaters in downtown San Francisco. Shortly after Lila developed into a thriving company with a Resident Company, two Conservatory Programs, multiple classes, improv jams, and a ton of shows.

After a busy four years the founders decided to take a much needed break to recharge and refocus, ultimately leading to the decision to move the company out of the Off-Market Theaters. Now refreshed, Jill and Christopher have returned to the ideals that the company was founded upon. Lila Theatre is now poised to begin the next chapter. Get ready for a brand new adventure!

As always, our strong visions of truth, art, play, community, technique, support, trust, growth, and humanity continues to evolve as we deeply connect with the countless remarkable individuals that join the Lila Theatre community. We invite you to come play with us!  

 

= Lila (leela)

 

Lila Defined

"There is an old Sanskrit word, lila [leeŽla], which means play.  Richer than our word, it means divine play, the play of creation, destruction, and recreation, the folding and un-folding of the cosmos.  Lila, free and deep, is both the delight and enjoyment of this moment... It also means love.

 

"Lila may be the simplest thing there is-spontaneous, childish, disarming.  But as we grow and experience the complexities of life, it may also be the most difficult and hard-won achievement imaginable, and its coming to fruition is a kind of homecoming to our true selves."

 

-Stephen Nachmanovitch, Free Play

   

 

Mission Statement

Lila Theatre is a company of artists who create and develop the art of long-form improvisation, along with sketch theatre, and cabaret. Through truthful artistic play, we create new artistic works by taking innovative risks, while providing our audiences with compelling, high quality, low cost, accessible theatre and entertainment.

We seek to combine the professionalism of Broadway, the innovation of Off-Broadway, the roots of Chicago Improv, and the rawness of the Fringe.

As a company, we are committed to:

 

- Developing the truth in every individual and exploring this truth on stage. We believe that the more honest and genuine we can be, the greater the chance for an empathic exchange in a theatrical community.

- Helping every individual find and develop their creative voice by giving people a safe place to play, explore themselves, and develop their skills.

- Creating a supportive, open, artistic culture where a community of artists and audience members can engage in truthful work and innovative ideas.

 

- Becoming one of the best improvisational theatre companies in the world.