“A great teacher is the one that never stops being a better student.”
Erik Rodríguez
Puerto Rican, graduated from The University Of the Sacred Heart in Santurce, Puerto Rico. Also studied Psychology at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, San German campus. For 8 years his mission has been to develop a scientific method that people could use to study and apply improvisational theater not only to make people laugh but also as a therapeutic tool and exercise to achieve self realization.
For over 17 years, Erik has dedicated to show business and the dramatic arts, having the opportunity to take classes and workshops around the world as a student and later returning as a teacher. Once he was introduced to improvisational theater, over 10 years ago, he fell in love.
His inspiration through this journey are the studies of Viktor Frankl and Paramahansa Yogananda.
“I believe that improv theater is too big and powerful to just leave it to silly jokes.” Erik says on an interview for a Spanish newspaper. “I could not do improv without studying the masters like Keith Jonhnstone, Viola Spolin, Yvon Leduc, Robert Gravell, Charna Halpern, La Commedia dell Arte, and of course, Del Close.”
Rodríguez has also been one of the responsible for the 4 International Improv Festivals in Puerto Rico, also the first in bringing Inedit Theater’s well known improv format, “Catch” Iocus Org and his first mentor, Rigoberto “Gigio” Giraldo. Being able to work with groups like Pataclaun (Peru), Planeta Impro (Barcelona, Spain), Teatro Instantáneo (Valencia, Spain), Impro Top (Mexico), Improv Boston, and in being Prima dell Teatro (Pisa, Italy) has definitely reinforced Improterapia’s mission. Former founder and artistic director of Impropio in Puerto Rico and with his reputation as Chicho in the movies Mi verano con Amanda 1 and 2, Erik has been able to win many fans.
Currently living in New York, he has worked with amazing groups such as The Living Theater directed by the legendary Judith Malina, and with Bilingual Acting Workshop giving workshops and conferences. Erik has taught in many countries in South America, also Spain and Italy.
“Teaching in a different country is amazing news for me because it means I will have a new teacher waiting for my arrival… I am open, humble and willing to learn. Then, in the future, I will be open, humble and willing to teach what I’ve learned. Isn’t that exciting?” Erik Rodríguez
Considered as one of the best improv instructors in the world for his ability to really maximize people’s potential helping them bond with their intuition, minimize fear and auto censorship, believe in their selves and risk everything to grow. A great Master of change and personal growth, this “guru” of improvisational theater teach based on his experiences not theory.
"Don't give me names or dates, give me your training schedule of one week and I will tell you if you are an improviser or not." Erik Rodríguez
