![\"improv4web\"](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/improv4web-e1418961617473.jpg\")
Finest City Improv, San Diego\u2019s \u201cheadquarters\u201d for improvisation, just marked its one-year anniversary at its theater attached to the historic Lafayette Hotel at 4250 Louisiana St.<\/p>\n
The theater supports 80 improv teams, including seven teams comprised of Finest City Improv Ensemble members, as well as hundreds of improv students from all over.<\/p>\n
Improvisation, a form of comedy popularized in cities like Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, is gradually taking hold in San Diego, offering locals an unparalleled opportunity to laugh, learn and perform.<\/p>\n
Improvisation differs from stand-up comedy in several significant respects. There are no prepared scripts or jokes. It\u2019s not an individual endeavor, but done in skits with pairs or groups. Improvisation is all about what its name suggests: ad libbing.<\/p>\n
And thanks to Amy Lisewski, Finest City\u2019s founder and artistic director, improv is alive and well in America\u2019s finest city. Not long ago, Lisewski was torn between remaining in San Diego, where there was little or no improvisation, or moving to Los Angeles, where there are several thriving venues like Second City.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was traveling back and forth to study and perform,\u201d she said. \u201cI could move, or build it myself. So I went the crazy route and built it myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
The comedienne spent eight months with a realtor searching spaces all around North Park. She finally settled on the Lafayette, after the longstanding hotel contacted her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey wanted to bring the hotel back to its glory days in the \u201940s and \u201950s when [the hotel] was a destination for all kinds of entertainment activities. So it was really a perfect fit for us,\u201d Lisewski said.<\/p>\n
Lisewski spent about eight months overseeing gutting offices and converting them into theater space. Now, Finest City is not only a performing venue, but an academy for improvisational training and instruction.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where Kat Brown comes in. She oversees the improve training of Finest City\u2019s ensemble troupe.<\/p>\n
Any one can be humorous, said Brown. But, she pointed out, being funny with improvisation requires an entirely new skill set and an altogether different approach.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see so many people get up and they try to tell their own joke \u2014 and those never go over,\u201d said Brown, noting successful improvisationalists are \u201chonest and in the moment, and really feel something with the person standing next to them.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all about the connection and trust we have that, no matter what the other person says, I\u2019m going to agree with it, and we\u2019re going to see where it goes,\u201d continued Brown. \u201cAnd it goes to places we never would have imagined. And that\u2019s when people laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n Lisewski said there\u2019s a lot on Finest City\u2019s plate for 2015.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re launching the Finest City Improv touring company, a select group of 14 of our best ensemble members to entertain for things like corporations, holiday parties and workshops,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd we have the second annual San Diego Improv festival here the third weekend in February with 87 teams from all over the country.\u201d<\/p>\n Students like Anthony and Rodi said Finest City is undoubtedly working. They\u2019ve developed a newfound appreciation for the art form.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like seeing a masterpiece being painted right in front of you,\u201d said Anthony about improvisation when it\u2019s really going over. \u201cWhen you\u2019re performing with your connection with the audience and the source inside of you, your creative response \u2026 it\u2019s a euphoric feeling you can\u2019t describe.\u201d<\/p>\n For Rodi, improvisational comedy is very personal \u2014 and liberating.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really expressive, and fun, and allows you to let loose,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s just a really good tool that\u2019s helped me in my jobs and friendships and understanding were people are coming from. For me it\u2019s a life hobby. I can\u2019t imagine myself without it.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"improv1web\"](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/improv1web-e1418961666256-296x300.jpg\")