‍Thursdays | April 28, May 12, 19 & 26 | 7-9 PM

Get your dose of spontaneity and laughter at this drop-in improvisation experience.

Improv (think Whose Line is it Anyway?!) is a fun way to get out of your head, stop overthinking, and spark your creativity while connecting with others.  

Interested in attending, but feeling a little unsure? Not to worry! Experienced teacher and improvisor, Richard Grafton makes Improv Jam easy and fun. Sit and watch until you feel ready or jump right in, this is a stress free experience!

Learn by doing, as you are guided through improv techniques and exercises as a group. No prior experience is necessary and Improv Jam is open to all ages, so why not try something new?

This is a stand-alone program, but for a few participants it is also practice for the performance of Laugh Locally on May 5th and June 2nd at the Esplanade. Come for a jam session and perhaps you will get your chance to perform at the Esplanade.

A part of the Evening Experiences @ the Esplanade

This series of Pay What You Will programs is about trying something new!
Unwind with an evening at the Esplanade and engage with family and friends as you try something inspired.
Get out of the box with unconventional paint nights, improvisation, family fun dance parties and go behind the scenes with exclusive museum experiences!
Experience the Esplanade.

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About RICHARD F. GRAFTON, B.F.A.,B.ED.

Teacher, Actor, Improvisor, Director, Designer, Playwright

Most folks know Mr. Grafton as the “Drama Guy” at Medicine Hat High School.  He has been helping to shape theatre at MHHS since 2012, directing dozens of shows with a special focus on Canadian Theatre, Theatre for Young Audiences, Classical Theatre, and Broadway Musicals. He founded the new MHHS Theatre Company, the Pilot Lights Theatre Festival, Whose Lunch Is It Anyway? and Sketch Comedy Nights.  His next comedy, Plan 9 from Outer Space, is landing at Hat High in February 2022.

Richard is also the Artistic Director of The Paperback Stage, a local theatre company creating new adventures for audiences of all ages! His solo comedy, Madly Off in All Directions, is currently in development and will appear next summer, along with his TYA play A Tail or Two From Winnie The Pooh.

As an actor, Richard has appeared on stage around Alberta, including Medicine Hat Musical Theatre, Firehall Theatre, Thesbos Theatre, Foothills Alliance, The Empress Theatre, The University of Lethbridge, Red Deer College, and Desperate Jester Improv Theatre.  Richard also represents Zone 7 in the Alberta High School Drama Festival council, and has been on the Board of Directors for Theatre Alberta (2016 -2018), supporting and encouraging theatre across the province!  Richard holds a B.F.A/B.Ed (2007) in Dramatic Education from the University of Lethbridge.

When he's not making theatre, Richard is off on adventures with his wife and two sons.  You'll probably find him paddling his canoe down a river, wandering off on a camping trip, or travelling to see theatre across the country.

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