Diving in Together 

Community, Kylä magazine, News, Rentukka / 20.11.2024

Text: Jenni Kirkkomäki | Pictures: Tiitu Design

Expressions, gestures, listening, reacting, and experimenting. These are the building blocks of improvisational theatre. In improvisation, scenes and stories are created without a script. For many hobbyists, it serves as an escape from everyday life and a source of relaxing fun. On the other hand, it can also help build more confidence in self-expression and interaction. 

Since September, the Impro Club has been gathering in Lillukka, located below the Rentukka Gym in Kortepohja Student Village. This newest club was initiated by Anniina Kivimäki, a tenant of Soihtu. 

“When I was exploring improvisation opportunities in the city, I found performing groups that practice very actively or shorter, paid courses,” Anniina explains. “I was looking for something more approachable, and that’s when I thought of the clubs in Kortepohja.” 

This sparked the idea for an improvisation club that offers shared activities and an introduction to the world of improv. 

Funny, surprising and flowing 

When Anniina founded the club, her primary wish was to create a space for shared activities. Each week, about ten hobbyists have participated in the club. 

Improvisation is about practicing expression and diving in together. In practice, an evening consists of various exercises. 

“Some exercises are related to acting, but it’s more about building connections. In a few words, improv can be described as funny, surprising and flowing.” 

An evening at the club may include icebreaker games, pantomime and different exercises. 

“For example, in an eye contact exercise, we walk freely in the space and observe how it feels to make eye contact with others, and on the other hand, what happens if you avoid it,” Anniina explains. 

Her personal favorite exercise is the Still exercise. 

“In that one, two people perform a scene, and others can freeze it at any time by saying ‘still.’ During the pause, one of the participants in the scene is replaced, and then the scene continues. Because of this change, the scene can take a completely different turn and go in a new direction from where it was originally headed.” 

A little by accident 

You can come to the club to explore and try out improv with low barriers to entry, and no prior experience is needed. Anniina describes the club as a space where there are no wrong answers or ideas, and where you can safely practice expressing yourself. 

Her own path to expression has partly come about by chance. 

“In middle school, I sort of accidentally chose drama as an elective, and it included some improv,” Anniina explains. “I actually tried to switch out of it because I thought, ‘I don’t want to do drama,’ but it turned out to be really fun.” 

She hopes that the Impro Club in Kortepohja offers others the same kind of relaxed association and fun that improv has given her.