ROB WATZKE: Improv Artist & Editor

Creativity in Captivity

An improv artist and teacher for nearly 40 years, and he has applied those principles to all facets of his work as an editor, writer, director, and actor. He is the founder of Turbine Arts Collective, a Los Angeles nonprofit dedicated to the exploration of creativity, where he teaches weekly workshops in improvisation. After graduating from the University of Iowa with degrees in Communications/Theatre Arts and Journalism, he moved to Los Angeles, became involved in the local theatre community, and quickly dedicated himself to the performance and study of improvisation. His mentor Gary Austin (creator of The Groundlings) called him, "One of the best improvisers I've ever worked with." He co-founded The Bubalaires, an improvisational physical-comedy theatre troupe with roots in Commedia dell' Arte, and he created Shplotz!, an evening of improvisational theatre with celebrated guests like Helen Hunt, Jason Alexander, James Corden, and Dave Foley. Rob has taught improvisation workshops at the Walt Disney Studios, USC Marshall School of Business, JPL/NASA, SAG-AFTRA, UCLA Performing Arts Intensive and the American Conservatory Theatre. He also teaches creative practices to businesses and corporations. Rob is also well-known as an editor of commercials and music videos, collaborating with such varied directors as Spike Lee, Ridley Scott, Terry Gilliam and Joe Pytka. He won the Clio Award and many other awards for editing. As a director, his film Heavenzapoppin’! won the highest award given by the National Educational Media Association, and Leonard Maltin called it, "A delightful and ingenious film".