Peter O'Byrne

Peter O'Byrne

Hi, my name is Peter O'Byrne, I started my improv career back in 2000 with Comedy Sportz, Dublin. Shortly after that we set up a group called "Improv at The Bankers", which then morphed into "The Craic Pack Comedy Improv". We played every Friday night for 12 years and to packed houses I might add. The venue was the cosy basement Lounge of The Bankers Bar in Dublin city center and had an audience capacity of 46, or 49 if it was a weight watchers meet up night, I'm not joking. Playing every week for 12 years was invaluable and over time we (Craic Packers) have all progressed into the full time world of perfromence as professional actors, teachers, and of course improvisers. Sadly in 2013 we lost our home venue, it went through a transition from an Improv Theater to a state of the art commercial kitchen, on our last show I was heckled by a roast chicken. Improv has been an important part of my life and my career. While over the past couple of years I've been playing more long form improv with "The Cardinals" (Dublin based) than short form, I must confess short form is my first love. I always look forward to playing will new improvisers, in all styles and just love when something new is thrown at a group, the challange of somthing new is like creative fuel for the soul. Fortunitly over the past two years I've had the pleasure of becoming friends with Dave Razowsky (LA improv guru) he has come to Ireland and shared his 30 years experience to a sponge like group of improvisers. When you get exposed someone like Dave you realize there is so much more to find great with improv. I love playing Improv so if anyone has a stage looking for a player i'd be happy to play. This month I will be in Adelaide as tour manager for "To Space" an Irish touring production, so myself an my partner Niamh Shaw will get some improv time. I've been on the faculty of The Irish Film Academy (one of Irelands leading drama schools) for the past five years, The Gaiety School of Acting, and I also teach my own Funprov workshops.