Adlib Threatre In Winter Park is both an Improv school and a threatre. Meet founder Lauren Morris, a spunky improv veteran with big goals for their community. Many of us discover things about ourselves in college, and Lauren was no exception. Lauren discovered improv comedy when she was just in college and went onto do many exciting things in the industry. She studied improv at The Annoyance Theatre & Bar with Mick Napier and with Paul Vaillancourt (co-Founder of iO West) at iO West. She has taken workshops and classes with such improv notables as Kevin Mullaney, Jill Bernard, Rebecca, and Rich Sohn, Adal Rifai, Susan Messing, and Mark Sutton and members of the UCB Theater in New York City.
Aside from starting the AdLib Theatre, Lauren has numerous achievements under her belt. Lauren hosts The Improv Teachers and The Improv Teachers: Director’s Edition. This is a weekly podcast that is dedicated to discussing the art of teaching improv. The podcast was the winner of Best of Improv Podcasts, 2017 and 2019, PlayerFM. Lauren is also the executive producer of The Central Florida Improv Festival. She has performed and taught at numerous improve festivals. Lauren has been featured in publications such as Weekly Humorist, Slackjaw, Belladonna, MockMom, Points in Case, and Robot Butt. She honed her satire skills via Second City.
The Spotlight on Adlib Theatre Located on 200 North Denning Drive in Winter Park, The AdLib Theatre is an entertainment and theater hub for the community. Although Lauren didn’t grow up in Winter Park, she chose to open Adlib Theatre after researching the area. We know it’s not difficult to fall in love with Winter Park. The Adlib Theatre brings even more community, culture and excitement to the Winter Park community. Lauren’s drive to start the Adlib Theatre came from parent teacher conferences where the focus was on passion for what you do. Adlib Theatre’s improv shows are taken in a very different direction that say, a local spot like SAK Comedy Lab or Bonkerz Comedy.
Lauren wanted to direct a style of improv that was more raw, crass, less politically correct and most definitely not family friendly. She also took her experience from studying improv at The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago and working with improv stars from iO West and the UCB Theater in NYC. Lauren went in the direction of the “Chicago Longform” style of improv.
When you step into Adlib Theatre for one of their weekly shows, you’ll first notice the intimate, dark space. This is the best way for Improvisers on stage to connect with their audience. Every show at Adlib Theatre is different and “unscripted”. The moment you walk through the door, you are welcomed by friends, encouraged to relax, have a drink and enjoy the show.
As an audience member, you’ll enjoy the show, and more than that, you will be able to see the ins and outs of what being an “Improviser” is like. For those of you who go to plays and musicals, Improv is far from the norm. There are no scripts, no sets, no costumes. There might be a prop here and there but everything is unscripted. It’s also a fun playful atmosphere for everyone. For those of you who hired a babysitter or don’t want to be out late, AdLib’s Saturday shows start at 7 and end before the crazies come out.
Learn the Art of the Laugh at Adlib Threatre In Winter Park
It’s no secret that Lauren and the Improvisers at Adlib Theatre love what they do. There is an infective level of passion and energy from the shows, to the audience to even the way they speak. When people think of Improv, they typically think of the entertaining aspect of it. Yet, few realize that there is an art to improv. At AdLib Theatre, you can learn the art of Improv through their educational classes! Explore and learn the principles of improv with Adlib’s classes. These classes are also a great way to socialize, network, make friends with other improvisers, train with other like-minded individuals and get the chance to become a regular performer at Adlib Theatre! Additionally, AdLib Theatre currently has 25 Improvisers and a student base of 50+ students.
Core Cycle
If you have already studied Improv at another training program, you can jump into this one. Core Cycle is a set of ongoing 6-week classes that will teach you longform improv techniques.
Advanced Conservatory
Take your Improv skills to the next level with the Advanced Conservation. You’ll be well on your way to become a performer! If you are an aspiring Improviser, Lauren has some advice as well as a few tips on how you can start your own career. “There is a difference between being the “funny” person in your friend group and performing in front of a live audience”. However, that shouldn’t discourage you from learning. Learning Improv is much like learning a sport like tennis or playing an instrument. It’s an art form as well as a discipline, which also means that you will have your own unique style and form. Additionally, Adlib Theatre is a great place for any aspiring Improviser!
Bring The Art of Improv To Your Event Or Corporate Training Session
Yes, you can actually hire The Adlib Theatre for an event or corporate training session! The team from Adlib Theatre can be the entertainment for your next event- from anniversaries to corporate events. The Adlib Theatre has an amazing coaching program for the corporate training level. You’d be surprised to learn that learning Improv will also improve communication, creativity, and team-building. Skip the lame “teambuilding” exercises and try something engaging and fun for a change. Doing Improv for corporate training also teaches the essential skills for success: brainstorming, teamwork, communication, and thinking on your feet.
A Few Reasons Why You Should Join An Improv Class
Most people live life on a script, with everything planned out. If the idea of “improvision” or getting thrown in the water strikes fear in your heart, then improv class is for you! Learn how to deal with situations when you’re unscripted and unprepared.
1. Stop Fearing Failure – Even if you aren’t a rookie, everyone slips up in improv now and then. The difference is, you can stop fearing failure and learn how to work with it, not against it.
2. Improve communication skills – improve your daily social skills, become a better listener, understand body language, make decisions with conviction and make any conversation feel easier
3. Improve your dating life – Seriously! Improv teaches you how to have charisma, get out of your head, go with the flow and to stop judging yourself.
4. Learn how to think on your feet – get the “improvise” from improv. Improv teaches you how to think on your feet, and make decisions fast.
5. Embrace silliness – let go of the fear of self-judgement, embrace creativity, laugh and let go.
Go ahead, give Improv a try. What do you have to lose? If you want to be in the audience, spend your next Saturday night at AdLib Theatre. Saturday night Improv Performances at the Adlib Theatre run from 8 pm – 9:30 pm and are $7 online and $8 at the door.
You’ll never know what to expect when life is unscripted.
This article originally appeared in the June 2019 issue of Park Ave Magazine. Titled “Life Unscripted: A Front Row Exclusive Into The Adlib Threatre” By Alex Dimovski. © Copyright 2019 – Park Ave Magazine. To read past issues of Park Ave Magazine, go to the “Editions” tab on the main menu of our homepage. To order past issues of Park Ave Magazine, please call (407)951-5341.
