illustration by Isabel Anderson
Brad Fortier was a member of Portland’s Brody Theater from 1996 to 2012. He was the education director for the Brody from 2004-2011 and is still very busy developing curriculum and giving workshops around Portland, Oregon, and across the globe. His talents as a facilitator, presenter and instructor have kept him busy doing his favorite activity – having fun with and making an impact on groups of people through interactive play. He’s excited about his newest venture, Happy Improv Fun Time.
As an anthropologist, Brad bounces between doing archaeological contract work for WillametteCRA and continuing his research on improvised theater and its social, psychological, and neurological benefits for people. He gave a talk at the 2010 Applied Improvisation Network’s Conference in Amsterdam on his research. Brad has also done some creative consulting work with Logitech and for the Portland chapter of the IxDA. He has also authored two books focused on the anthropology of improvisation: Long-Form Improvisation: Collaboration, Comedy, and Communion & A Culture of Play: Essays on the Origins, Applications, and Effects of Improvised Theater.
His performance career has taken him across the globe, as well. Brad has performed improvised shows on stages in the US, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia. Brad currently produces and performs in the popular Improv at Portland Center Stage. For Brad’s talent in action, as well as some of his interviews and talks, check Video.
Brad has directed several shows for the Brody Theater: The Bards-an improvised musical, Generic Hospital – an improvised soap opera, Starhole 3060, and Super Secret Spy Team. He also directed “SexyNurd” in Portland’s 2010 ‘Fertile Ground’ Festival of new works.
So well put . . . you’re so friggin’ smart, Brad.
Without my having read the book, I’m curious as to whether you have done anything to tie improv into Erving Goffman’s “Presentation of Self in Everyday Life.”
Martin Dodge
Funtime Improv & Improvacateurs
Martin, you don’t even have to read the book. You can see it incorporated in this post: http://bradfortier.com/2011/01/12/on-the-road-to-a-new-ethnography-anthropology-improvisation-and-performance/
Dear Brad,
do you know of any empirical studies covering the field of improvisation, I mean quantative studies with any kind of data collection? I guess there are none, but you were recommended to me by the facebook worldwide-improvisers group being both an improv player and a scientist
THX!
Chris
Chris,
I do have some quantitative data regarding demographics of performers, as well as where and when people began learning improv. For the the demographics of performers N=65. For the info on when and where people learn N=75. Dan Goldstien is also a good person to connect with on this matter. He’s got a PhD in Psychology, and he gave me some scope on what sorts of psych research had been done. I think you should be able to access my thesis through the Portland State University Library. They have it in PDF format. It’s got way more detail and background, obviously, but it also has the distilled report of the performer demographics in the chapter “Performers”. I’d love to connect more with you about this.
Thank you! I’ve approached a Dan Goldstein who’s psychologist and improv player on facebook, hope he’s the right guy. I can send you my thesis when it’s finished, unfortunately it’ll be in german language but I’m gonna translate at least the abstract
You’re welcome. Drop my name if Dan is slow to respond. He’s a busy guy with a family teaching in London. I’ve got a lot of friends in Germany, and it’s about 90% likely that I’ll be coming through on a European teaching tour this June. Where are you at? Maybe we could meet for a chat if all goes well. Thanks for reaching out and sharing! Cheers.
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