Sprezzatura #26 - Sobrang Saya
I went to Manila Improv Festival 2026.
It was so many things.
SPIT Manila Improv with over a million followers. Selling out 700 seat venues in minutes. 2000 people showing up for a secret show.
A jaw-dropping improvised ballet with incredible dancers against a backdrop of screens 5 meters tall, like a live Zoom background.
Dozens of world-class shows from all over the world. Dozens more workshops from inspiring teachers. Jams. Parties. A dancing Jollibee mascot. I even got to meet so many friends in person who took online classes at Improv College from the other side of the planet.
If you ever get a chance to go to the Manila Improv Festival, don’t walk. Run.
Afterwards, I spent a week in Hanoi. I’ll talk about my time there next month.
[WEBSITE] improvfestivals.org
You want to see a giant list of upcoming festivals and their locations? This is the website for you.
You can see past festivals and ones that are accepting submissions. You can add a festival if it’s missing or a new one. You can click on each one and get an overview and description of the fest, find links, and even read a bit about its history (if available).
I wish you could filter by region/country or see them on a map. But really, this is a long overdue tool with a clean design that I hope becomes the go-to place for improv festivals.
[GAME] Unrailed
Short version: if you liked Overcooked, you’ll like this co-op game.
Your team must race to chop wood and mine ore so you can build train tracks as the locomotive hurtles down the track. Make sure your steam engine has enough water, build bridges over rivers, and watch out for asteroids(?!).
Unrailed plays great at two, three, or four players. It’s just one of those games that makes you all say, “One. More. Level.”
Bonus: Unrailed 2 also comes out next month!
[TV] Neighbors
Neighbors is an HBO documentary series with each 30 minute episode diving into two pairs of American neighbors who are having a dispute. The series is edited with TikTok frenzy and the neighbors are often stranger than fiction.
From property lines, wall heights, and broken trust, we are witness to more than just mere disagreements. It’s an unrelenting look at American ideas of individual liberty, social agreements, and home.
IMPROV TIP
Here’s an exercise to help you be more specific in scenes. You can even adapt this one for solo mode, so you can practice on your own.
Local Newspaper
You, a small town journalist, take turns pitching local news stories to the paper editor.
Journalist: “Local squirrel chews through power cable leaving dozens in darkness overnight!”
The editor demands more details.
Editor: “I need to know when and where this happened!”
J: “It was last night at 3:45am, by 5th and Maple.”
E: “Got any quotes?”
J: “Yes! 'Widow Mabel Zinth said she saw the squirrel light up like a fireworks display with a bang, shoot three meters into the air, and then lived to run away!’”
E: “Great, print it! Next!”
Rinse and repeat. In solo mode, you’re also the editor. The editor is looking for more specifics, more details. The who, what, where, when, etc. Engage the senses: colors, textures, sounds, etc. Asking for quotes gets you to make up names and dialogue.
Being specific is such a gift in improv and is fun to do for its own sake.
EVENTS & THINGS
[In-Person Class, Montreal] Subtext: Improvising Between The Lines, Sat May 30 @ 1pm
It’s not often that I think I have a good idea, but I think this might be one of the best workshops I have on offer. I premiered the three hour version of this in Manila to some very kind and generous feedback. I also don’t think it works as well online so I think I’ll only hold it in person and make it my festival workshop. Might as well offer it here in my hometwon next! Montreal, in person, one day only. Equity prices still available, first-come, first-served.
[Show, Montréal] J’aime l’amour, jeu 14 mai @20h
Nous avons deux spectacles, une en mai et une autre en juin, le 18. Aux Angles Ronds est une boîte noire très accueillante. Bonus! Vous pouvez utiliser notre code à prix 50%: 2AMOURSPOUR1
An Interesting Wikipedia Link: Pilt Carin Ersdotter
l8r sk8rs,
Vinny
