REGISTER!
When Registration opens November 1,CLICK THE LINK AND FILL IN THE FORM
Just a few questions and you are on the path to leap into the adventure.
The story continues...
Decades ago, at a little theatre created by Keith Johnstone,
Patti Stiles, Shawn Kinley and Steve Jarand performed and played
and improvised together.
Then, they went off to explore the world of improvisation in more than 60 countries.
What came next was...
an exciting, adventurous exploration as these three united to create a unique improvisation workshop experience!
We asked WHAT COMES NEXT? We said, YES LETS!
Now... Let's,
BE OBVIOUS
REACT WORKSHOP 2027
Sept. 24 - Oct. 4
SOMETHING NEW!!!
TEACHER focused session
October 4 - 8
(check-in to accomodation Oct. 4 --- Classes Oct. 5-8)
REGISTRATION OPENS
NOVEMBER 1, 2026
WHO ARE THEY?
STEVE
Masks and More
PATTI
Actors Inspired
SHAWN
Controlled Chaos & Misbehaviour
An old improviser. A new father.
A nature lover. A gun hater.
A democracy advocate.
A rationalist.
A meditator.
- Consistently loving and supportive parents.
- Good teachers:
- In Junior High School Linda Lytle taught honestly what she thought was actually useful and important in life. I remember once she confessed she hadn’t corrected our homework because a friend needed her the night before.
- In High School Jim Whitehead built a theatre community where we could work and play and do most things by ourselves.
- In University (and beyond) Keith Johnstone showered us with insights, taught backwards thinking, opened up our subconscious, shared life hacks, and developed our ability to tell good stories.
- Anytime I can improvise as a teacher and adapt on the fly, I grow as a teacher.
- Three players were competing to see who could guess the leader of a movement exercise. One guessed correctly but we hand no second leader ready for the next round. I lied that we did, and the group moved together until we had frustrated the last two competitors with their incorrect guesses. They laughed when they heard there had been no one guiding the others.
- I played the counting-to-ten game with bored teenagers. (The game when if two say a number at the same time, the count starts back at the beginning.) To my great surprise they were amazing at it because they didn’t give a shit and didn’t step on each other’s toes. I didn’t do anything, but really felt like a good teacher.
- Anytime I can fail for real in front of students some part of me is happy. And I do get eliminated early in games I have played many times or even invented.
- ‘My particular experience playing a scene in full mask with you directing was impressive to me, because of the calmness I felt.’
- ‘Putting your masks on let me take mine off.’
- ‘It’s weird, but in a good way.’
- Travel, culture and languages.
- Nature and science theatre.
- The combination between meditation and creativity.
I believe you don’t need to know how to do stuff, you just need to enjoy figuring it out.
I pay no attention to dreams.
I used to make my own tempeh but now I buy it at the store.
A proud Newfoundlander / Canadian living in Australia. An animal lover, Star Trek fan and seeker.
I am an actor, director, teacher, playwright, and author working with improvisational theatre for over 40 years.
I’ve been blessed with a life full of people who encourage and challenge me.
Keith Johnstone and the Loose Moose Theatre were pivotal in my work as an improvisor.
Anytime I see someone make a discovery or take a leap. When I see them get it, or do it, or try it, or discover it. When they learn, evolve, risk, let go, be. To be a witness to that moment, however that moment arrives or presents for the individual, is a privilege.
But a story…ok.
I was teaching in Italy with Teatro a Molla. I was talking about how ego interrupts our works as improvisors. Everyone in the room nodded in agreement except for one player, who looked confused. Later in the class an example of ego came into a scene, and I mentioned it again, everyone saw it, but the same one person looked confused. They leaned over to someone and whispered in Italian. There was a burst of laughter from the two of them. What he heard was ‘Remove the eagle.’ Not ‘Remove the ego.’ No wonder he was confused. There is a poster in Teatro A Molla’s office of an eagle and a quote “Remove the eagle.” – Patti Stiles
This story to me has so much about what improvisation is. Offers, acceptance, people being altered, good naturedness, surprise, mistakes, and discovery, all in a nice story.
- “Your creativity, spontaneity, and wisely rebellious teaching style was refreshing and inspiring.”
- “She makes improv clear, less complex, and a creative experience free from judgement.”
- “Impro with You is inspiring, exiting, a must-have for everyone who wants to improvise”
- “Patti has a lifetime of experience, a very different and much more useful viewpoint on improv from what is being taught in most parts of the world and is able to communicate these concepts clearly and effectively.”
- “The approach that you used during the workshop was an interesting revelation for me as actress and as improviser: I always knew that improvisation should be lived in this way and I have always seen this possibilities but yours was the first workshop where I have lived it.”
I am interested in the spontaneous moment, meeting fearless play, supported by strong narrative technique, in the hands of improvisors who are interested in creating dynamic theatre and an unforgettable experience for the audience.
I wrote a book called ‘Improvise Freely” and I have improvised for 53 hours straight with no sleep, more than once.
Canadian, Curious, New Dad, Explorer.
I’ve been teaching and performing for the past 40 years in 56 countries.
Students young and old (mostly young)
The curious and creative natures of:
- Richard Feynman
- Robin Williams
- Jim Henson
- Red Skelton
- Shields and Yarnell
- Mummenchanz
- Keith
Animals
Philosophies – Taoism, Buddhism
Many… and most from kids.
- An autistic kid who was disregarded by the other kids and minimized by some teachers excelled at an exercise that I taught. The other kids couldn’t do the exercise. The other looked up to the one with autism.
- A boy named “Truth”, with alcohol fetal syndrome wrote me a note after the class saying, “I wish you were my father.” He said he felt respected.
- A cat who always turned his back on me when I faced away from him. Others said that he was angry. He wasn’t. He was displaying that he felt safe with me by displaying his unprotected back while facing outward. He protected me by looking in the direction I couldn’t see. We had each other’s back.
- A “misbehaving” child placed away from other kids by a classroom teacher:
In an exercise, he bent my rules and showed me (and the other kids) a better way to do it.
So many more…
- “…for the first time when I failed, it was easier to try again and again and again, I felt better every time. I could risk more and it felt good.”
-G.B. - “You said that, “improvisation could improve the illusion of telepathy.” In class, it was proved over and over.”
-T.A. - “I’m so excited about teaching again and I would like to thank you for that.”
-C.D. - “…thank you for the workshop, for giving me words for things I feel but am not very able to name them, for making me feel less alone with ideas or views I have and for being an inspiration.”
-S.S. - “You do the most varied impro work I know!”
-A.M. - “… many things changed with me as an actor and filmmaker, and even my personality in the way of thinking and creating a safe and healthy dialogue with people.”
-Z.B. - “I wish we could have gone longer.”
-R.C.
- I made games up a lot as a kid (saved my mother so much money) and I didn’t lose that quality of play and creation. Reinforced by watching Keith’s behaviour, I love creating exercises with students that might never be played again but are perfect for the moment.
- A physical specialty doesn’t come from any particular training but from curiosity and fascination of how we physically express ourselves and how animals move.
- Non-verbal communication has always been a passion and easily practiced by spending more time in non-english speaking countries than my home in Canada.
- The Taoist belief that “all that can be told about a thing is not the TRUE thing that you are talking about,” inspires my passion that all that is defined about improvisation isn’t the true improvisation.
…but, I’ve already said too much.
REACT is a joint effort with our valued partner
And a special thanks to everyone working behind the scenes to make this happen.
REACT
WHO, WHAT, WHERE, & WHEN
WHAT IS REACT?
REACT IMPRO WORKSHOP
3 Amazing Instructors
Participants from all over the world
Sept. 24 – Oct. 4, 2027
REACT is an improvisation intensive designed for improvisers, actors, teachers, and theatre-makers ready to deepen their improvisation practice, expand their toolkit, and challenge their assumptions.
Three of the world’s most experienced and internationally recognized improvisers, deliver a broad spectrum of improvisation wisdom with emphasis on:
- Spontaneity, Risk and Awareness
- Narrative structure & story logic
- Mask work, Physical presence
- Collaborative skill sharing from international co-participants
- Character, Relationship, formats, and more, while focusing on student’s individual needs.
NEW!
TEACHERS SESSION
TEACHING SKILLS & MORE
Oct. 4-8, 2027
(check-in to your accommodation Oct. 4. – Classes Oct. 5-8)
This bonus Teachers Session directly follows the 10-day intensive. We focus on how we present ideas, how we read the student, the class, the content, philosophies, and style variation. Offering practical skills, we look deeper into specific exercises, issues and attitudes.
While the main focus is on improvisation, the course is immensely useful to teachers of any topic. The course is open to, and beneficial for, directors, facilitators, group leaders and others interested in developing their deeper skills for inspiring and benefitting those around them.
And…
While the primary language of instruction is English, multilingual expression is encouraged in select exercises and performances. (Additionally, Steve is conversational in Spanish, French, and German.)
Participants will have the opportunity to perform, test material, and engage in presentation to audiences, should they choose.
This is an intensive for those who take play seriously!
WHERE IS REACT?
& WHERE WILL I STAY?
WEIL DER STADT, GERMANY
(near Stuttgart)
Landesakademie für Jugendbildung
Malersbuckel 8
71263 Weil der Stadt
More than “just a place to stay”
REACT is an opportunity to immerse yourself in improvisation, surrounded by people who share your passion. At the Landesakademie für Jugendbildung, the workshops continue beyond the classroom.
Space to explore. Three dedicated workshop spaces provide room to experiment, take risks and develop your improvisation skills.
Space to connect. Share meals, coffee and conversations with fellow participants from around the world. Exchange ideas, discover different improvisation cultures and make connections that extend beyond the workshops.
Space to relax and play. Unwind in your private or shared room. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Challenge someone to a game of foosball or simply take some time for yourself.
Space to improvise. When the formal workshops end, the possibilities continue. Join fellow participants for informal jams, share discoveries and see what happens when improvisers from different backgrounds get together.
Stuttgart is within reach by train for those who want to step out to explore.
At REACT, you’re not just attending workshops. You’re becoming part of an international improvisation community.
HOW'S THE WEATHER?
AUTUMN IN GERMANY!
Late September brings pleasant autumn days Germany. Expect daytime temperatures in the area of around 19–22°C (66–72°F), with cooler nights of 9–11°C (48–52°F). Enjoy the changing season on a morning walk after breakfast before your first class of the day. Pack layers and a light jacket for the cooler mornings and evenings, and be prepared for occasional rain.
WHO IS REACT?
SHAWN KINLEY, PATTI STILES & STEVE JARAND
Patti Stiles, Steve Jarand, and Shawn Kinley will offer this 10-day session to a limited number of international improvisers.
Shawn, Patti and Steve developed their core improvisation ideas at Keith Johnstone’s Loose Moose theatre, working directly with him for over 40 years. They’ve refined and furthered their theories through countless workshops with improvisers from all over the world.
REACT 2027 marks the return of these three together after two successful REACT gatherings.
Read more about them in the teachers section HERE.
WHAT IS THE PRICE?
ACCOMODATION, MEALS & CLASSES
EVERYTHING INCLUDED
The INTENSIVE – Sept. 24 – Oct. 4, 2027:
- Accommodation based on double rooms *
- Meals, Snacks, Afternoon Coffee/Tea
- Class fees
- Shows/performance possibilities
- Shuttle service between Weil der Stadt train station and the venue, as well as public transportation to the show venues
TOTAL € 1840.00
* If you would prefer a single room, there are a limited number available for the main course Sept. 24 – Oct. 4 for an added €140 for a total cost of €1980.
The TEACHERS SESSION – Oct. 4 – Oct. 8, 2027:
(Check-in to accommodation Oct. 4. Classes 5-8)
- Accommodation based on double rooms. Due to availability, only shared occupancy is available during the Teacher’s session.
- Meals, Snacks, Afternoon Coffee/Tea
- Shuttle service between Weil der Stadt train station and the venue
- Practical teaching possibilities
TOTAL – € 990.00
To help create equitable access for our international impro community, we are offering a limited number of subsidies.
SEE YOU SOON!
YES LET'S REACT!!!
We are looking forward to having you join this unique gathering of improvisers and improvisation training. You've decided to come and play - so WHAT COMES NEXT?
RESPOND!
CONFIRMATION!You will get a message saying your information has been received with follow up information. Then, we START THE PROCESS!
REACT!
Our Journey BeginsWe'll be in touch to answer questions as we prepare the rooms, pour some drinks, and tidy the workspace for the workshops and Improvisation Experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
If there’s anything else you need to know, check the frequently asked questions.
If you can’t find help here, drop us a note and we’ll help. ALSO, if there are useful bits of information that you think would help others, let us know and we will add them to the list.
My English is not very strong. Will this be a problem?
While the course will primarily be given in English, emotional and body expression will be given a great deal of the focus.
Partner work and some group work will be conducted in your own language as well.
Teaching style can accommodate much of language concerns. Some translation support is likely available from fellow participants in several languages. In addition, Steve, speaks reasonable versions of French, Spanish and German.
This being said, a minimum understanding of English is needed. Please contact us directly before registering if you have more questions concerning language.
Will there be time for social/leisure activities during the course?
DEFINITELY!
There will be downtime each day and possibly a half day off with an organized trip or event, or a walk at the riverside.
The facility has a gathering and games room as well as an events happening in Downtown Red Deer.
We encourage all participants to monitor their energy levels and work and rest at a comfortable pace.
Can I come late or leave early to the workshops?
We highly discourage this but are open to considering individual circumstances.
Can I stay extra days at the facilities?
How should I dress?
What to Bring
- Daytime Highs: Typically range from 19°C to 22°C (66°F to 72°F), occasionally climbing higher into the mid-20s°C (upper 70s°F) during sunny days.
- Nighttime Lows: Drop down to around 9°C to 11°C (48°F to 52°F), making mornings and nights feel chilly
Rainfall: Features a moderate mix of clear and damp days, averaging about 50 to 72 mm of rain across roughly 10 to 12 days in the month
Comfortable rehearsal clothes of course will make your in-class experience much nicer.
With performance opportunities, bring clothes that you are comfortable wearing on stage.
SPECIAL THANKS!
HELPING TO MAKE REACT HAPPEN
SPECIAL VOLUNTEER THANKS
What you see is a result of many wonderful volunteers and supportersThanks Lee, Kristen, Matt, Tilda, Jonah, Tina, Chris, Kristen's In-Laws, Bull Skit Volunteers
The accommodations are booked for for you from August 9 – 19, 2026. We’d be happy to put you in touch with the facility representative if you would like to extend your stay. If you wish to stay somewhere else in the area outside of that period and need help finding lodging, please contact the organizers.