Portland should have much more to offer those of us you are under 21. That’s why I was thrilled to be introduced to the Brody Theater. Looking to check out a fun show with friends or a date? Feeling blue and in need of a good laugh? The Brody is your place.
The Brody has some stand-up comedy but mostly focuses on improvisation. Anyone who’s seen the show Whose Line Is It Anyway? is already familiar with this format of theater. There is no script. The actors make up everything spontaneously—with hilarious results. But the magic of improv goes beyond comedy.
“Improv is about storytelling,” said theater arts professor Scott Parker, who teaches improv classes at Portland State. “People believe that improv is about making jokes. Improv tends to be humorous and fun, but that’s mostly because of the delight of creating things in the moment.”
The Brody is a short Green or Yellow Line MAX ride away from campus, nestled between Sushi Ichiban and Helen’s Market. The inside is small and usually dark but has a relaxing, intimate atmosphere. The first row of the audience is so close to the stage you can reach out and touch the performers. In the back, there is a bar with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as food such as sandwiches, wraps and paninis.
I went to the Brody because I took the improvisational theater class at PSU. One of our assignments was to attend some live improv shows. The thought had never crossed my mind before, but after my first experience, I was blown away.
The first show I saw was its “Micetro” show, a friendly competition where actors perform and receive points based on the audience’s applause. They put on this show every Friday.
The first show blew me away, but the second swept me right off this planet. It was the Brody’s Halloween show titled “Scary Movie.” The group of performers acted out “scary movies,” each probably half an hour or so, based only on prompts from the audience.
This is called “long form” improv, and it is this style that makes the Brody unique. The kinds of games on Whose Line are called “short form” games. These games have a set format and last only a few minutes. Long form goes beyond that. It is a true test of the actor’s creative and teamwork skills and is delightful to witness.
“In long form, you’re creating little one-act plays,” Parker said. “It takes patience and practice to be able to create longer stories and characters that can come in and out of a story.”
The Brody has shows every single weekend. Short-form games, long-form performances, guest groups, standup comedy—they have it all! The talented improv group Blank Slate frequently performs there. And on March 16 and 17, special guest Bob Odenkirk, creator of Mr. Show and co-star of Breaking Bad, will be paying the venue a visit.
If you want to test out your comedy skills, the Brody has open mic nights. Or if you watch improv and like what you see, it also offers a wide variety of improv classes so you can learn to do it yourself. And of course, there are improv classes at PSU, too.
“I think learning improv is empowering,” Parker said. “Students who weren’t really performers will tell me that learning how to let the stories come out of themselves with other people is very empowering, and it changes their lives.”
I know it changed my life. Both watching and performing improv have been relaxing outlets. College is stressful. Everyone needs a few laughs. Go to the Brody and you will be entertained and fascinated. Just do it.
Prices for the Brody shows range from $5–12 and almost always have a student discount. Visit www.brodytheater.com for more information about shows and classes.