Teens to learn off-the-cuff acting during six-day improv camp

Good improv looks easy, but it takes confidence, poise and an ability to communicate and think on your feet that few seem to possess.

Those are the sort of traits Darren Pitura hopes to teach during Teen Week: Sketch and Improv Camp, slated from July 13-18 at the Onyx Theatre, 953-16B E. Sahara Ave.

“Improv is making everything up on the spot,” Pitura said.”The performers go up on the stage without any idea of what they’re going to do. They ask for suggestions from the audience — for example ‘toothbrush’ — and then they work from that and make a scene inspired by the word. Every improv show is unique. That performance will never happen again.”

The classes are set to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a 2 p.m. showcase July 18 for friends and family of the performers.

The classes are part of Vegas Theatre Hub, a series of eight-week improv classes taught by Pitura and several other veteran improv performers with credits at The Second City, the groundbreaking improv troupe based in Chicago, and other well-known venues.

Beginner improv class teach basic rules or guidelines to make performers more aware of their fellow performers and teach them to cooperatively create a scene.

“One of the most basic things we teach is ‘Yes, and.’ It’s really the foundation.” Pitura said. “When someone comes, and they give you an idea, you want to say ‘yes,’ and build on top of that. For instance, if they say ‘Hey, Dad,’ you don’t want to say, ‘no, I’m your brother.’ That can kill the scene.”

The same principles used in adult improv will be used in the teen sessions.

“I do separate the teens from the adults because of content and experience,” Pitura said. “It will be great to work with the teens, because they can perform from their lives. We can see their perspective, which I think is very exciting.”

There is short-form and long-form improv. The popular TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” features short-form improv.

“Short form is a series of games with certain rules,” Pitura said. “They’re usually quick and funny. Long form is typically 45 minutes to an hour, with multiple scenes and characters who will reappear, and things will tie together as the performers develop a play right in front of everyone.”

Bringing improv and comedy to the Onyx was Troy Heard’s main mission when he took over the theater in January. With the exception of a few four-wall productions where the acting company or performer rents the theater, everything performed at the Onyx now is comedy.

“I put that directive into place,” Heard said. “I wanted to emulate companies like Dad’s Garage (Theatre) in Atlanta, U.C.B. (Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre) in New York and iO Theater(formerly Improv Olympics) in Chicago. The ultimate goal is to grow an improv farm team who can create their own shows, whether they’re improvised or scripted.”

Pitura has more than 20 years of comedic and physical theater experience. He was a member of Canadian sketch and improv troupe The Spleen Jockeys and refined his clowning skills with Leaky Heaven Circus.

Pitura was a lead writer and performer for Cirque du Soleil’s premier “One Night for One Drop” show at the Bellagio’s O Theatre and recently played a recurring role on SpiegelworldTV’s “The Gazillionaire” Web series.

He now performs as a lead clown in Cirque du Soleil’s “Mystere” and “Zumanity.” He has taught mime, improvisation and acting for The Second City, Cirque du Soleil, UNLV, the University of Winnipeg and various high schools, community centers and other locations.

“When I first started Vegas Theatre Hub, I hoped to do some projects with children,” Pitura said. “I wanted to reach out to the teens and do something positive. We’re planning to do the camp every summer, and we hope to put together regular youth classes in the fall.”

Before Heard took over the theater, teen classes would have been difficult at best. The theater was behind The Rack, a fetish clothing store that went out of business and is being converted into a second performance space.

“It’s still not the best neighborhood,” Heard said. “If you sort of put your blinders on, you won’t see the adult businesses across the parking lot, but at least you don’t have to walk through one anymore.”

For more information, visit vegastheatrehub.com or onyxtheatre.com.

To reach East Valley View reporter F. Andrew Taylor, email ataylor@viewnews.com or call 702-380-4532.