LEAH GABRIEL

WHERE WERE YOU BORN? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN IMPROV?   Melbourne, Australia.  My high school didn't have a theatre department, but thanks to a drama teacher in 9th grade we had a Theatresports tournament, my team were called Repossessed and we made it to the state finals!  I remember my teammate's Dad was drunk in the back row and yelled embarrassing things throughout the show.  The host made sure our team came in last.

WHO WERE YOUR ACTING/IMPROV INFLUENCES, ROLE MODELS?  Many wonderful improvisers in Melbourne, but most of all Patti Stiles - International Queen of Improv.  www.pattistilesimpro.com

WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF PERFORMING?  Free drinks...sometimes.

DETAIL, CHRONOLOGICALLY, YOUR IMPROV RESUME/CAREER?  Five years with Impro Melbourne. www.impromelbourne.com.au

WHO WERE YOUR TEACHERS?  Patti Stiles, Keith Johnstone.

WHAT DO YOU GET FROM DOING SUNDAY NIGHT IMPROV? IS IT FUN?  Yes! It's always fun playing with someone I've met only five minutes earlier.

DESCRIBE YOUR MOST CHALLENGING IMPROV MOMENT?   When I have to provide a hilarious blow line to end a scene - epic fail every time.

YOUR MOST REWARDING IMPROV WORK?  I love improv formats that focus on theatricality and storytelling.  I love a format called 'City Life' created by Randy Dixon from Seattle.  I also love Playback Theatre.

DONE ANY WORK IN TV? FILMS? SCRIPTED THEATER?  I just finished a run as Lady Capulet in Sink or Swim Rep's production of Romeo and Juliet.

WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO GO WITH THIS?  Into obscurity

WORST IMPROV EXPERIENCE?  I saw a show once, they asked for a country from the audience, someone said 'Georgia' and the improviser said condescendingly 'Well, I guess some people think Georgia is a country...'    

SEE LEAH GABRIEL AT SUNDAY NIGHT IMPROV ON AUGUST 21st AND AUGUST 28th AT 7 P.M.!