The Spontaneity Shop: Performance and training Improvisation company
Home > About > Q And A > Ece Ozdemiroglu
- Ece, why do you enjoy improvising?
- It helps me broaden my horizons and break my boundaries. It's showed me that I could do something, namely acting, I thought I could never do. It's also great fun. By the time I leave a class, I will have forgotten all my worries. Finally the characters I create help me to learn more about myself.
- You're doing Level 2. What's that like?
- It's a mixture of repeating what we've learnt before and adding new skills on top. I like the fact that we arrive not knowing what's going to happen that evening - it adds to the spontaneity. The teaching approach is also very fluid. Big statements about what to or not to do are not given, not at the start anyway. We learn by doing - which is the best way.
- What's the most challenging part of being in Level 2?
- The challenge is not specific to a particular skill but to the progression. As we repeat what we'd learn before it's easy to start feeling comfortable. But just as I do, teachers would throw in something new which forces me to push myself that little bit more. It's constantly evolving and that's the challenge itself. But if I didn't like the challenge I wouldn't continue!
- What's the most fun part?
- The most fun part is to let loose and enjoy the moment. We spend most of our lives worrying about either the past or the future. But improv is all about the present and being alert. That, in turn, makes me feel alive.
- You've done end of term Maestro shows. Do you enjoy them?
- At the first one I was the 'rabbit in headlights' personified. But once I learnt that the secret to improv was to be in the present, I stopped worrying and now love every minute of it. Although I am still nervous about being on stage, the euphoria I feel when the audience laughs at our lines or even at something as small as a look is indescribable.
- What's your favourite improv memory?
- A classmate and I did a very emotional scene at a workshop once - it was about a chance meeting of a couple of long lost lovers in a library so the scene was acted in low voices. At the end, there was a momentary silence in the class before they burst into applause. It was great to have created emotions that everyone in the room shared and was affected by.
- Would you recommend people who have completed Level 1 continue you on to Level 2?
- Most definitely!
- Are the people who do Level 2 easily persuaded to go for a pint or do they prefer a nice early night?
- I think you'd have difficulty stopping most of them from going for a pint. It's the continuation of the class. We share so much - in an unspoken way - that we need to share the 'down to reality' time too.
- You can often be seen hanging out at Spontaneity Shop shows. Why do you enjoy going and why is it the happening place to be?
- I laugh and I learn. I don't think there is a better combination. People who take part and come to watch are pretty cool too.
- You're also a journalist. How has improv changed the way you write?
- I am actually an economist and work as a consultant. Journalism and other writing are my hobbies. So both for work and as a hobby I write a lot. Improv has changed the way I write both in terms of what and how I write. I am much more open and structured about what I want to say. I also write much quicker. I used to agonise over each sentence. Now I just go for it.
- What's your maxim for life?
- This will pass too.
- How many degrees of separation between you and Kevin Bacon?
- He is my best buddy!...OK, seriously? I haven't got a clue. If he doesn't wonder how many degrees of separation between him and I, why should I?!
- Would you rather accept an Oscar or wield a light saber?
- An Oscar. I am a realist. And more of a trekkie than a star wars girl.
