Whatever the event, Jeff can create a tailored improvised theatre experience to entertain, enlighten or engage. Freeing up your creative and emotional impulses through the art of inspiring your partner.
Email jeffgladstoneprojects@gmail.com for more info
or visit our workshops page
BIO
Jeff Gladstone is an actor, improvisor, musician & producer who was born and raised in Calgary. He first met and worked with Keith Johnstone at the University of Calgary in 1994, and joined the Loose Moose Theatre Company that same year. He graduated in 1998 with a BFA in Drama, while training at Loose Moose, performing in TheatreSports, Kids Shows, the first Maestro, Keith’s series of short plays “Unzipped” and created an improv show for musicians. Jeff has always sought to build bridges between theatre, improvisation and music, bringing theatrical sensibilities to his Impro, and spontaneity to his theatre work.
Relocating to Vancouver in 2000, Jeff joined the Vancouver TheatreSports League and went on to establish himself in the local theatre community as an actor, creator & producer. He founded Stretch Mouth’d Rascalls who brought Gorilla Theatre as one of the first performances at Ryan Stiles’ Upfront Theatre in Bellingham, and was Co-Artistic Director with Veena Sood of The Life Game Vancouver (2009-2016) as a live theatre production and podcast which aired on CBC National Radio. He founded and curated the Here Be Monsters Festival (2006-11), and has performed as an actor in world premieres of new plays spanning improvisation, musicals, historical and queer theatre in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and New York.
Some of his favourite accomplishments include four seasons at Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival including the sell-out hit As You Like It featuring 25 Beatles’ songs, Requiem For A Lost Girl, where he worked as a teaching artist and assistant director collaborating with opera artists and artists living with mental illness and homelessness on an original chamber opera (2016-2018), and working as lead actor and producer on the feature film Kingsway, that premiered at TIFF (2018) and VIFF (2018) receiving 10 Leo Award Nominations and 1 Actra award win for lead actress.
Jeff has been teaching Impro since leading a Mask Class at U of C in 1998 with his brother Ryan Gladstone. Deeply rooted in Keith Johnstone’s theories and formats, Jeff has 20+ years experience teaching Status, Narrative, Mask, Spontaneity & Maestro, and also works with Shakespeare, improvising music, acting technique and play creation, everything coming together to free up your creative and emotional impulses, through the art of inspiring your partner. He has led workshops across Canada and parts of Europe, teaches regularly for children, seniors, non-english speakers, high level business workshops, and for people experiencing homelessness. His recent work with artists living with mental illness has had a huge impact on his teaching practise, leading with empathy and creating a space that is as inclusive and safe as possible.
Jeff was an ensemble member at Vancouver TheatreSports 2000-2019, directing Maestro & Gorilla, helping to establish the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and serving as Artistic Director of the ITI Conference in Vancouver 2019.
Jeff began his role as Artistic Director of the International TheatreSports Institute January 9th 2020.
TESTIMONIALS
“He is an active, engaged teacher who is invested in his students’ growth, and who deeply cares for their well being.”
“It was lots of fun with big belly laughs. A surprising bonus for me was that in each lesson there was a deep truth about how to find more meaningful connections in everyday life. I recommend this class to anyone and everyone.”
“You could tell he was very attentive and thinking about where to take the group next that would benefit them the most, then guided us there very fluidly. An iron fist in a velvet glove comes to mind!”
“Jeff kept us engaged and somehow, with all his experience being an improv actor and teacher, brought the unique best out in each of us. Before we knew it we were one big happy group, spending a couple hours each class playing, moving, laughing, and pretending. Just like kids!”
CONTACT
For info and bookings of workshops and performances, email jeffgladstoneprojects@gmail.com