Improv Hi

I haven’t been to the Improv HI location but I did manage to see some of the actors of Improv Hi perform at The Scratch Paper Sketch Comedy Show at the Kaka’ako Agora on Saturday night October 3, 2015.
I enjoyed watching the actors read from the manuscripts and watching the facial expressions in their rough draft stage. I also liked it when few of the actors did the hand motions during their readings. I would like to see the actors memorize their lines and see how the final short comedy sketch will turn out on screen.
I also enjoyed watching the previously recorded short films that other members of Improv Hi had done. The short film that I really enjoyed was comedian actor Kevin Yee’s GAY LOVE. It had a catchy tune that the audience members sang a long «You can’t get pregnant from Gay Love.»
Kimee, the founder of Improv Hi, mentioned to the audience that anyone can participate and write comedy sketches by attending the workshops. I can already imagine my updated review for Leonard’s Bakery as a short comedy sketch.

I took private improv classes from Kimee and am amazed at how useful it is for so many parts of my life. I am not the type to wanna be funny, but I do want to think on my feet and be able to go with the flow in a conversation. My former business associate and I took it together so that we could learn to play off of each other. It was fun and it also taught me a lot about connecting to someone else and communicating in a partnership.

Improv isn’t just for people who want to pursue a career in the arts, it’s also a great skill set for ANYONE who wants to become a better communicator. When my friend mentioned that she wanted to be more comfortable making presentations, I suggested an improv workshop to help her get to the next level.
At the time, I was also seeking a confidence boost when communicating with my boss and colleagues. Last year, I started an «encore career» in social services and knew nothing. Everything was new and when I’m uncomfortable with a subject area, I stutter and sweat A LOT. It was very ugly and I knew I needed to kick those habits if I ever wanted to sound remotely intelligent.
My friend and I signed up for «Twerk your Brain!», an improv workshop for business professionals. There were about 10 people in the workshop and all of us had similar areas we wanted to improve. Through improv techniques and a bunch of fun games, our brains were twerking through the discomfort and getting cozy as better communicators.
This class was fun and I felt a significant difference in the way I approach things. I’m not as stressed to know all of the details and feel more confident to trust that I know what to say. When I really have no clue, I now have some tools to speak as if I do. GREAT workshop for anyone who wants to be a better communicator! I definitely think this should replace any boring powerpoint at orientations. Excellent!

I recently attended a class at Improv Hi and had an absolute blast! The principles of the class were based on thinking outside of the box and allowed everyone to get out of his or her comfort zone in a theatrical way. I learned a lot about myself and made some great friends too. Can’t wait til the next class!

Awesome all the time. The Jam is super fun!

Hi, I’m not a ZOmbi, but I play one on stage. You may recognize me as ‘Hank’ the kind old neighbor turned Brainnnz Eater or ‘Little Billy Peru’ the feral boy-​child who sacrifices his life to save humanity form the ZomBie Apocolypse. Well, as an actor/​improvisor I know a thing or two about pretend ZOmbification and let me tell you, the thought of such an experience fills by form fitting BVDs with a fowl stench not unlike the rotted braiinz breath that exudes from the hot, moist blood dripping mouths of the walking dead. And have you seen their teeth?! Jee-​wiz! Thankfully, however, such a real life event has yet to occur due to Anti-​ZOmbification programs hosted by The Original Jams Improv Show in Honolulu.
The «O-​Jams», as some like to call it, offers warm-​blooded, progressive minds an opportunity to gather for improvised comedy that will keep you laughing, your heart pumping and your brain tweak’n, which is quite a contrast to our poor dead and decaying brothers and sisters who walk the streets with glazed eyes, gas filled potbellies, bad attitudes and skin blemishes too many to resolve with a bottle of ProActiv.
The talented acts that perform on stage raise the energy level creating a pressure-​like barrier that actually acts as force field of sorts that prohibits ‘Walkers’ from getting too close. Occasionally, a FreshFleshEater will pass by and gaze through the window with wild quizzical eyes, an agape mouth and a swollen, protruding tongue. Can you blame it?! What ZOmbie wouldn’t want to eat a fresh, young mind? But the hilarious improvised force field… AMEN!
Anyway… OJAMS is certainly safe from the Walking Dead which answers the question: To ZOmBie or NOt to ZomBie? There will be no ZOmbification occuring at the O-​JAMS. Although you might see me playing a ZOmbie on stage, I assure you, the BRaiinzzz I eat will only by improv Brainnnnzzzz, the kind that will hopefully make you squirm and laugh at the same time. Hahahahahah! HAHAHAHAHAHA! HAAAA… choke…burp! Them Braiinz is good eat’n.
**Check your local listings for other Anti-​ZOmbification Programs in your neighborhood.

Whatever you imagine about improv, put it away.
I have seen this group do their improv comedy several times and each time, I walk away laughing so hard I have tears in my eyes. Quick and sassy, this troupe loves what they are doing and it shows.
They also involve the audience in some of their skits. This is perhaps one of my favorite elements. I’ve been one of their «victims» and never thought I could laugh so hard at myself.
We hired this group for an event we did. We asked them to develop something specific to Social Media, which they did immediately and it was fantastic. They are easy to work with, fun to be around and put on a great show. What more can you ask for?
So if you go to see them, bring your tissues to wipe away the tears of laughter.