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Margot EscottAree Witoelar - Improviser, Director, & Scientist

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1. Aree Witoelar - Improviser, Director, & Scientist Margot Escott 46:24

This week we’re delighted to interview Aree Witoelar the Norway based improviser. He is the founder and artistic director of Impro Neuf International, Oslo, Norway’s first English speaking improv comedy theater, with over 1,000 members from over 50 countries.
A few days after our interview Aree appeared on the cover of STATUS magazine and you can get a copy here https://payhip.com/status
Aree has been improvising since 2005, studying from many teachers throughout his improv career.
Aree and Friends is his popular duos improv scenes, and as of this date (April 2025) there are 178 episodes with 62 countries.
These scenes can be accessed at his Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/areewitoelarimprov/
I had the pleasure of doing a duo scene with him and it was so lovely.
He describes himself as aloud advocate for race diversity in theatre, and has created minority representation teams Rice Eaters and Monosodium Glutamates, mixed language shows, and produced Impro Neuf’s world-bending Cloud Atlas.
Aree spoke about his childhood in Indonesia and his decision to pursue advanced studies in Norway. He has a Ph.D. degree in physics.
He is a prolific writer on improv and began his blog in 2017. Check out his writing here.
Blog
https://areewitoelar.medium.com/
He is the Artistic Director of the 2025 Oslo Impro Festival featuring artists from around the world. You’ll want to attend this amazing festival! https://www.osloimprofestival.com
Here are some ways you can get in touch with Aree.
Official Website
https://areewitoelar.com/
Oslo Impro Festival
https://www.osloimprofestival.com/
Instagram page
https://www.instagram.com/aree2d2/

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Margot Escott LCSW

After working as a clinical social worker for over 30 years, I discovered the joy of Improvisational Theatre Games. Before that I presented classes and workshops on "The Healing Power of Laughter and Play" throughout the US and abroad. Since the 1970's I was trained as a New Games Referee from the New Games Foundation. But when I had my first class in improv I realized how therapeutic it is and began using improv in my clinical practice and special groups such as Improv for Anxiety and Improv for people with Parkinson's disease. In addition, I created class for several National Association for Social Workers (NASW) conference such as Fl. NASW, NJ NASW, OK NASW and corporations. There is viable research showing that improv helps with cognitive functioning, memory, decrease of anxiety and socialization. I'm delighted to teach folks of all ages this wonderful way to chase the blues away!