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This fall, spontaneity, laughter, and connection take center stage at the second annual Diablo Improv Festival (DIF), a three-day celebration of unscripted theater at the Lesher Center for the Arts in downtown Walnut Creek.
Whether you're a seasoned improviser, a comedy fan, or simply improv curious, DIF is an opportunity to see great live improv, try it for yourself, and become part of a welcoming creative community. No experience is necessary. Just a willingness to play!
COME FOR A SHOW. STAY FOR THE WEEKEND.
You don't have to be an improviser to enjoy the Diablo Improv Festival. Come see a show, take a workshop, jump into a jam, or make a weekend of it.
Special festival packages make it easy to experience more while saving money.
WATCH IT. LEARN IT. PLAY IT
The Diablo Improv Festival is presented by Spontaneous Mind, DKW Productions, Synergy Theater and The Lesher Center for the Arts.
CHECK OUT OUR ENTIRE WEEKEND LINEUP OF SHOWS, WORKSHOPS, AND JAMS!
Diablo Improv Festival: Workshop "Gifts With You"
- Date: 10/17/2026 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Location: Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Drive
Walnut Creek, California 94596 - Introduction: A Diablo Improv Festival Workshop with Asa Erlendson
About this Workshop
The points of focus of Gifts With You are efficient communication, connection, and close observation. It starts simply by seeing each other and saying "you." That is the key word to unlock the beginning of the scene. Building up from there, we will use "you" statements to efficiently establish the characters of the scene, and to develop the relationship between them. We'll then change modes from invention to intuition and focus on non-judgmentally observing our scene partner so that the scene is grounded in the here and now.
I designed this workshop to be accessible to all levels of improv. Beginners will learn fundamental skills to initiate and sustain a scene, and more experienced folks will have the opportunity to revisit and focus on relationship and connection.
About the Instructor
Asa Erlendson was born in Walnut Creek, CA at John Muir Hospital. No kidding! He is excited to return to his childhood stomping grounds so that he may share his passion for improv. Asa has been doing improv since 2007, and since then has dibbled, dabbled, or gotten deep into stand-up, mime, clown, dance, music, and sketch, and he also acted in a feature-length movie (A Colorado Road Trip). He has performed from California to New York, and learned from improv luminaries of various schools. A forever-learner, he is honored to serve as a guide for anyone on an improv journey. In addition to being an artist, he also works as a science communicator, has an old fat cat named Halloumi (like the Greek cheese), and loves martial arts movies, philosophy, and riding his bicycle.
Prepare to be inspired, delighted, and entertained at the Diablo Improv Festival. Laugh while you learn at improv workshops designed for all ages and experience levels, meet new friends, cultivate creative collaborations, and enjoy unforgettable performances from top-notch improvisers who take the craft to the next level.
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