This 2 hour workshop will provide a transformative experience for performers to break the mold of their usual go-to characters and unlock their hidden brilliance with three dimensional characters. We will explore outside our character comfort zones, while utilizing physical and vocal exercises that explore space, time, and tempo. In addition to physical and vocal choices, we will define the character’s world view and how their perspective can influence their behavioral choices within a scene. Note: It is highly encouraged for the improvisers to wear comfortable clothes they can move in, and bring a bottle of water.
Bio: Elizabeth Byland (better known as EB) holds a joint faculty appointment at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA as the Head of Improv with the School of the Arts and the Director of Medical Improv with the Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care. She serves on the Board of Directors with Comedy Sportz Richmond and performs as a company member with Coalition Theatre. She is a co- founder of Queen City Comedy (the other QC in Charlotte, NC) and works as professional film/televisio actor and on- camera acting coach. EB is from the original Queen City right here in Cincy. She holds a BFA in Acting from Northern Kentucky University and an MFA in Performing Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and professional improv training from iO Chicago (levels 1- 5B).
Currently, she coaches three college improv teams from VCU and she performs on two duo teams: BABE (Richmond, VA) and Bianchi and Byland (RALEIGH, NC). She’s performed at VB Comedy Festival, The Tampa Improv Festival, Cape Fear Comedy Fest, Queen City Comedy Experience, North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival, 2nd Best Comedy Fest, Improv Festivus, Miami Improv Festival, Charm City Improv Festival, Norfolk Comedy Festival, and the Chicago College Improv Tournament, along with performing at regional theaters across the SouthEast. Her next adventure is heading to Spain this July to teach at the Applied Improv Network World Conference.