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From Seattle to Mumbai (and back!)– Improvising every step of the way
Adam Dow, Artistic Director of Improv Comedy Mumbai chats with Pratidhwani about his foray into the Mumbai theater, improv theater in India, and his group’s visit to Seattle
An American, a Seattle native at that, teaching Improv theater in Mumbai. How does that happen?
I originally went to Mumbai in 2008 to visit my friend from college who is a fantastic cinematographer named Viraj Singh. While I was visiting I noticed (that) there was a big demand for Western Style Comedy. Many Stand Up nights were starting around the city and a lot of my Mumbai friends kept getting me to watch videos of the very funny Russell Peters. In a short time of visiting, I got wrapped up in a documentary project about Bollywood (called Beyond Bollywood) with talented producers Ruchika Mucchalla and Manas Maholtra. Realizing (that) my stay in Mumbai was going to be longer than expected, I decided to start teaching Improv classes around town.
And perhaps creating an Improv Theater group was a natural progression?
With a recommendation letter from Randy Dixon my Artistic Director from Unexpected Productions in Seattle I approached the Kapoor Family who own Prithivi Theater and run “Thespo”, the biggest Youth Theater Festival in Mumbai. After doing a successful workshop with them, I was put in touch with Jehan Manekshaw who runs Theater Professionals. From there I did a week long intensive class that ended up turning into our first performance troupe.
How did the first performance happen?
We did our first show at Zenzi Mills in Lower Parel which had a great turn out. Quickly news spread around town that a foreigner is teaching comedic acting. We ended up being covered in a variety of Newspaper Articles, Magazines, and CNN even listed myself as number 9 of people who matter in Mumbai. Since that time our troupe took on the name Improv Comedy Mumbai and has grown doing more shows all over India.
Have you performed outside of Mumbai?
We have been sponsored to go to Improv Festivals in Amsterdam, Berlin, Toronto, and now Seattle.
Do you think Improv is gaining popularity in India?
Improv still hasn't reached the same fame as Stand Up comedy in India but it is rapidly growing and will be thing to watch out for in years to come. I was lucky enough to be creative lead on the TV pilot for Whose Line is it Anyway? (India version) starring Russell Peters and Vir Das created by Star World and Midi Tech. Unfortunately the show never made it past pilot stage but I feel another Indian Improv show shall come again in the near future.
How many of your crew are visiting the Seattle International Festival of Improv?
There's six of us. Eeshan Tripathi, Ankit Challa, Preeti Singh, Avinash Verma, Dhruv Hiena Lohumi and me.
So what should we look forward to while you and your group are in Seattle?
There's six of us. Eeshan Tripathi, Ankit Challa, Preeti Singh, Avinash Verma, Dhruv Hiena Lohumi and me.
So what should we look forward to while you and your group are in Seattle?
Improvisation! Improv is about being present, having fun, and saying yes! Please come see a show while we are in the Washington State Area between June 16 and July 5.
Show Schedule
Jhatpat! June 28, 6pm. SecondStory Hideaway, Redmond
Improv Comedy Mumbai performs with local Pratidhwani actors to present an Improv show like no other!
Improv Workshop at Pratidhwani June 28, 2pm, SecondStory Hideaway, Redmond
Learn to improvise!!! J ICM will work with you to improve your improv!
Emergence: The 19th Seattle International Festival of Improv June 21-28, Market Theater
Improv Comedy Mumbai will participate in Unexpected Productions Seattle International Improv Festival
Indian Association of Western Washington Show June 25, Bellevue Community Center
Unexpected Productions at the Market Theater July 2-5, 8:30pm
Improv Comedy Mumbai will be headlining at Unexpected Productions in the heart of Seattle with Improvised Bollywood. Plus a special 4th of July show at 7pm. Facebook Event for Workshops:
