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October 25, 2002/Cheshvan 19 5763, Vol. 55, No. 9
Teens use improv skills to entertain Valley audiences
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
John Shudde, left foreground, and Brooke Alyeshmerni get their All Rights Reserved cast mates laughing in an improvisational scene.
Photo by Mark Gluckman
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All Rights Reserved - the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company's new teen improvisational acting troupe - is bringing its comedy to the stage.
The troupe's performances, held the last Monday of the month, utilize a variety of improvisational techniques, including audience participation.
Alison Ganssle, the creator and manager of the troupe, says each month the troupe works with a different director - professional actors from the Valley community.
Gene Ganssle directed the September show, Julie Cotton is directing the October show and Bruce Nelson is directing the November show. Alison Ganssle says she has worked with many of the participants for several years and she hopes they will grow from the experience of working with other directors.
"I thought this was an opportunity for these kids to work with other directors and learn other styles," she says, "so we could start exposing them to who else is out there."
The idea for the troupe came from a summer program that focused on improvisation and on-camera work.
"It seemed like the kids really responded to it. There's a demand for something like this - the kids were needing an outlet," she says.
The 20 members of the troupe range in age from 12-18.
Ganssle says hopes to be able to continue the program throughout the year.
"They are getting to the point where they are working together well because they're getting to know each other so well," she says. "That's ultimately what I'm aiming for, is after a year they're going to be a really tight group and really strong on stage together."
The troupe's next performance is 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, at the Playhouse on the Park, inside the Viad Corporate Center, 1850 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. The $5 admission benefits the troupe. Call 602-264-0402.
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