Wellington Improvisation Troupe new committee!
International Improv legend Derek Flores takes over!
No bloodshed…yet!
There was no bloodshed as Wellington Improvisation Troupe (WIT) appointed international improvisation legend, Derek
Flores, to the creative team.
Last month marked WIT’s 4th annual general meeting and a newly elected committee, with Flores elected as Co-creative
Director alongside WIT leader, Simon Smith.
“The 2007/2008 season will be a year to re-establish W.I.T as a formidable brand within the Wellington arts and comedy
community,” says Flores.
‘We’ve already started this November by throwing our charismatically humble players into an epic battle over the Micetro
title. Will there be bloodshed? I hope so.”
Flores has over 16 years of improvisation experience, beginning at world renowned Loose Moose Theatre under the eye of
author and inventor of TheatreSports, Keith Johnstone. Flores progressed from almost a decade of global street
performing to a five year stint with Second City Toronto. He moved to Wellington late in 2006 and is pleased to be
teamed with Simon Smith in creating a bold, new and exciting WIT.
Smith is no stranger to the Wellington stage. He has over 10 years of theatre experience under his belt and is a
graduate of the Loose Moose Summer School where he trained under Dennis Cahill and Shaun Kinley. After starring in most
WIT’s shows, Smith remains modest about his local following. “The first time someone asked for my autograph I thought it
was a joke,’ laughs Smith.
"We are excited about testing the boundaries of the improvisation art form by expanding the breadth of shows and venues
and making spontaneous theatre accessible to every Wellingtonian. Maintaining our community roots through teaching and
classes, WIT hopes to experiment with a variety of new formats to increase our audience base and to bring improvisation
and improv comedy into the forefront of Wellington's arts community.'
WIT is trialing a new venue, the Wellington Performing Arts Centre at 36 Vivian Street (cnr Tory) for its November show,
Micetro – Improv Comedy. 8pm, Saturdays in November - 3, 10 and 17. $10 Door Sales
The Co-creative Directors are supported by the rest of the WIT committee:
Clare Kerrison heads up the team as Coordinator (the title used by WIT instead of the traditional, 'President'). Clare
is a trained actor, a graduate of The Loose Moose Summer School and one of WIT's lead players. She brings her experience
as Business Manager at BATS Theatre and her passion for structure and strategy to her role.
Steven Youngblood. Having left the Palmerston North improvisation scene several years ago, Youngblood has become a
regular WIT performer and producer and offers his experience towards the role of Development Manager, facilitating the
growth of performance and production in all areas of WIT.
Jen Mason is a rising star and a member of WIT’s all female ensemble, The Improv Divas. She has a passion for production
and her WIT role as Communications Manager.
Anrik Drenth a mild mannered librarian by day has come a long way since joining WIT last year, and looks to bring his
boyish good looks and confidence to WIT's aid through his role as Sponsorship Manager.
Christine Brooks is a powerful member of The Improv Divas and WIT’s new Secretary. She is has an eye for detail that can
only come from the public service.
Cameron Skinner Skinner finds time in between doctorate study to support WIT as Treasurer.
ENDS