History

Impro Neuf is a student organization and the biggest and most inclusive improv community in Europe. We offer a wide range of improv workshops, events, and shows both in Norwegian and English.

History of Impro Neuf

2005 - 2011: The Beginning and Teater Liksom

The predecessor to Impro Neuf is believed to have been established around 2005 under the name "Mandagsimpro" (Monday Improv), as a subgroup of Teater Neuf. The group's activities involved organizing weekly meetups to practice improvised theater. In 2006/2007, Impro Neuf was led by Mats Eldøen and Simen Hovd, who later became key figures at Det Andre Teatret (The Other Theater). Along with another future central figure, Nils Petter Mørland, they founded a new subgroup of Teater Neuf in 2007 called "Teater Liksom." Teater Liksom organized Micetro for many years and experimented with formats like "Life Game" before moving in 2011, popcorn machine in tow, to their new home, Det Andre Teatret.

2011 - 2013: Mandagsimpro and Onsdagsimpro

Although Teater Liksom attracted the majority of the improv community to Det Andre Teatret, Mandagsimpro continued its weekly sessions at Chateau Neuf. Leadership, names, and meeting days changed frequently during this period:

  • 2011-2012: Felicia Batt-Rawden (Mandagsimpro)
  • 2012-2013: Ingrid Wester Amundsen (Onsdagsimpro)

2013 - 2015: Impro Neuf Takes Shape

The group typically had around 10-15 active members and a high turnover rate until January 2014, when they started organizing monthly shows featuring a modified version of Gorilla Theater alongside their weekly workshops. From then on, the group grew rapidly, with more frequent shows and an increasing number of active members. The name Impro Neuf emerged during the 2013/2014 transition period, coinciding with the group's first show in Lillesalen. During this time, the group was led by:

  • 2013-2014: Vebjørn TveiterÃ¥s (Torsdagsimpro / Impro Neuf)
  • 2014-2015: Tord Bjørnevaagen Brandsæter

2015 - Present: Impro Neuf

On May 10, 2015, a general meeting decided that Impro Neuf would establish its own board. The decision was made through a vote. A new board is elected at the annual general meeting. With the board came a permanent ensemble and more frequent performances. In October 2016, the group separated from Teater Neuf and became an independent organization. The board has had the following compositions:

  • 2015-2016: Terje Brevik (leader), Sverre Breian, and Tord Bjørnevaagen Brandsæter
  • 2016-2017: Terje Brevik (leader), Sverre Breian, and Marie Folkeson

2015 - Present: Impro Neuf International

In 2015, Aree Witoelar initiated the creation of a subgroup, Impro Neuf International, which conducts weekly English-language improv sessions. The workshops are attended by both internationals and Norwegians. At the same time, he also started the English-speaking improv group Speakeasy, focusing on long-form improv. In 2016, Impro Neuf International has performed at Henriken under the name The Improv Speakeasy. Eventually in 2017 the shows moved back to our current home Chateau Neuf, with open spaces for multiple teams.

2017 - Present: Impro Neuf Presents...

At the board’s request, Harald Wille Jordheim established a subgroup of Impro Neuf in 2017, focusing on musical improv. This group performs monthly shows at Teaterkjellern and includes members from the ensemble as well as external groups.

  • 2017 - Present: Harald Wille Jordheim

2017: Impro Neuf Presents Oslo Impro Festival

In the fall of 2017, Impro Neuf organized Oslo and Norway's first improv festival, initiated by Terje Brevik. The festival board consisted of Terje Brevik (leader), Marie Folkeson, Arne Marius Ditlevsen, Kristine Sterud, Sverre Breian, and Liban Gulaid. The festival took place from November 2-5, 2017, at Chateau Neuf and included three days of performances and two days of workshops. The official program featured 21 teams and a 12-hour improv marathon in Lillesalen, which was also streamed live on improneuf.no. The festival invited Stacey Smith (ImprovBoston and iO Theater), Craig Uhlir (iO Theater), Shawn Kinley (The Loose Moose Theater Company), and Will Hines (UCB Los Angeles).

2017 - 2019: Impro Neuf Presents A Curious Improv Festival

In 2017-2019 Aree initiated a local one-day festival for Impro Neuf teams called A Curious Improv Festival in the Night Time, growing from 20 to 40 to 80 improvisers performing in one day. In 2020, the festival is cancelled due to pandemic.

2020 - 2021: The pandemic

During the pandemic, Kristine Sterud and Kevin Gow, guided the organization through unprecedented challenges. True heroes, they ensured stability as we moved our operations online during 2020–2021. Their resilience and dedication marked a defining chapter in our history.

2022: The pandemic is over

Due to the COVID pandemic, the 2020 festival was postponed and took place during May 2022. With a new visual profile and a teacher cast consisting of Craig Uhlir, Stacey Smith, Ella Galt and Jules Munns. Simen Wright directed this week long festival with daily workshops and shows in both Lillesalen and Teaterscenen.

2024: Oslo Impro Festival

In 2024, the Festival expanded to two weekends for the first time, spanning a total of eight days. This milestone edition featured renowned international teachers, including Chris Mead, Balasree Vishwanathan, and Billy Kissa, alongside esteemed guests Craig Uhlir and Stacey Smith. The festival was further elevated by the participation of international teams from across Europe, creating an inspiring and diverse celebration of improvisation.

Impro Neuf boards

  • YYYY - YYYY: Artistic director/leader, treasurer, PR, board member, board member
  • 2017-2018 Terje Brevik, Sigrid, Sara Raz, Kristine Sterud
  • 2018-2019 Kristine Sterud, Aree Witoelar, Annika Ha, Paulina Åšlusarczyk, Olav-KÃ¥re Dønheim
  • 2019 Kristine Sterud, Aree Witoelar Petter Wright, Anders Hausvik, Olav-KÃ¥re Dønheim
  • 2021 - 2022: Kevin Gow, Kristine Slotina, Magnus Seines, Ørjan Strand
  • 2022 - 2023: Magnus Seines, Frederik M.J.V, Mari Olimstad, Natalia Wydra, Aleksander Andersen
  • 2023 - 2024: Aleksander Andersen, Thomas Evang, Elaine Ho, Alejandro Saksida, Tugce Denis/Miklos Altorjay
  • 2024 - 2025 Aleksander Andersen, Siddanth Nayak, Liv Grøthe, Peter Müller, Miklos Altorjay

Oslo Impro Festival directors

  • 2017 Terje Brevik
  • 2018 Arne Ditlefsen
  • 2019 Kevin Gow
  • 2022 Simen Wright
  • 2023 Natalia Wydra
  • 2024 Alessio Di Renzo
  • 2025 Aree Witoelar