IMPRO, the international festival of improvised theatre,  is turning into a veritable permanent fixture of Berlin's landscape of theatre festivals. While last year's focus was on presenting as many theatre genres as possible, the motto for 2012 is: Improv can do anything. The festival aims to show as many facets of improvised theatre as possible on the current international level. Therefore, both an improvised radio play and a musical are scheduled for this year, the legendary women's show is on as well as a song contest, and the festival seeks inspiration in the unusual atmosphere of locations like a musical instrument workshop and a tour bus. This is just a little snippet of a total of 32 performances, and all shows are united by one thought: nothing is rehearsed or prepared. Everything is created in the moment, with the help of suggestions from the audience.

What's more, for the very first time, we have the Springmäuse from Bonn as our guests - the best-known improv group in Germany, who - with a different cast - were a unique feature in the '70s and '80s and were playing improvised theatre at a time when everyone else thought improvisation was some kind of self-awareness exercise. We're awaiting the Canadian company »National Theatre of the World« with bated breath. Their reputation in the international improv scene is legendary; they will be presenting two segments on the last weekend of the festival. And after many years, we'll have guests from Turkey again: Istanbulimpro, whose name guarantees lively theatre and performances like no other.

Hosted by Die Gorillas, this issue of IMPRO aims to show and celebrate many different variations of this genre. 34 artists from 12 countries will get together between 23 March and 1 April 2012 for what has become the largest meeting of its kind in Europe. Cooperating partners are Theatersport Berlin, and English-speaking colleagues Comedysportz as well as »Bühnenrausch« will complete the festival line-up with shows in the supporting programme.
Tickets for all festival shows will be available even before the complete festival website goes online. We will announce the commencement of the ticketing as soon as it happens, and will link it to our programme.