SESSION OVERVIEW

We all have hit the proverbial wall in a scene, but how do recover from it? In this

workshop session we will explore the possibilities that are still left in that scene to

either climb that wall or breakthrough it. There is either gold on the other side or a dud,

but either way, it’s a place that all improvisers should explore. Hit the wall and stay in

the moment.

As you leave this session, one of my hopes is that you have a stronger sense of

confidence once the wall is hit. Much like an athlete who plays through an injury, we

will look at some ways to play through those moments.

“The outcome is on you, and it always has been” – Dimon Hinsou.Ernest Mitchell has been around the improv scene since 2004.  He gained his start with Palm Beach State College's troupe, "Cheese and Crackers" and remained with them for a few years. Then the theatre faculty leader, Dave Hyland,  asked Ernest to join him and a few other senior players for a longform troupe called MOD27. In that troupe, Ernest gained in depth improv tutelage from Tom O' Donnell, who was formerly of Theater Strike Force at University of Florida.  After playing and learning the art of improv in various settings for 5 years, Ernest decided to step away to pursue one last shot at basketball. It didn't pan out and he returned to improv with Jupiter, Florida based sketch/improv troupe Gated Community(who are now called the Jove Comedy Experience). Ernest spent a year growing and learning improv with classically trained actor Frank Licari and main stage performer out of Boston's Improv Asylum, Travis Thomas.  Ernest would later go on to start his own troupe, called Earth, Wind, and Improv. He coached and performed in this group for a year until the group decided to disband after a short time to pursue individual art endeavors.  Many years later Ernest would raise the improv banner once again with another troupe he created called The Intelligent Fools. Armed with the understanding of all of the pure joy found in improv, he is primed and ready to continue to expose new people to the artfrom while helping restore a zeal for the already existing improv scene in South Florida.