Constructive criticisms

I received some good comments on the last show that I thought I would share.

Regarding What Are You Doing?:
"Try harder to make use of the verb and the noun and not just wave your arms saying the verb over and over... get in the habit of calculating your alphabet letter while standing in line so you can select funnier words for the next victim in line." I know, this is difficult when you have a really good idea for G and then someone gets eliminated in front of you...

Regarding Superheroes:
"Too often the superhero name just doesn't suggest what their power is." It's a good idea to find a descriptive superhero name -- for instance, I can work with "Static Man" a lot better than with "Big Fat Ugly Man." (Regardless of how accurate you may find it...)

Regarding hosting:
"Use situations kids are familiar with: family, school, vacations, kid-oriented businesses, social situations. When they have a good situation those kids can be reaaally funny." Not so much with material that only an adult would know about.

Regarding improv in general:
"I don't think it is cheating to have a list of funny words, situations, rhymes and structures in the back pocket of your mind." I agree, as long as you don't work out an entire bit days in advance... that's not improv, that's sketch comedy.

Looking forward to the warm-up on Sunday at 1 PM... I will call around tomorrow to make sure people are okay with the time.

A somewhat embarrassing note...

...but perhaps necessary.

Some members of Improvysteria have had their differences in the past. I am proud to say that each has found a way to work with the other members professionally and without resentment. Kudos to you! You impress us.

Please keep up the considerate behavior: hurt feelings aren't funny, and don't help the group.

Now I'm verklempt... have some more coffee and talk amongst yourselves...

Upcoming dates

If you get your email, you could skip this entry... but then you might worry you missed something, so you'd better read it anyway.

Time for a warm-up! Jeannette says the Firehouse will be available Sunday afternoon 4/27... how does 1 - 4 PM sound? We could easily push it back to 2 - 5 or 3 - 6. We could shorten it if necessary, but I think the group will benefit from a nice long practice after so many short ones. Please let me know which time seems best.

"The Spoiled Baloney Man" opens May 3rd; Improvysteria will provide an opening act. Only a portion of the group will be needed for each show; I would appreciate knowing what dates you'd like to perform. Shows are May 3 and May 10 at 7 PM, and May 4 and May 11 at 3 PM.

Friday May 23rd is the tentative date for the next show. How's that date look for everyone?

Nice work

Improv'ers, nicely done at the last show... I heard many compliments from people who attended.

One gentleman told us he'd like to join up, so I invited him to the next warm-up. He was our contestant in the Dating Game and did improv in college, so the games are all familiar to him. He said he looks forward to working with us... I'd tell you his name, but then I'd have to kill you.

Will Sunday afternoon work for everyone? I know at least one person it will not, but please post a reply to let us know.

4/19 show

I think that post-show credentials and congratulations have become my department. Ashley gets the creativity department, Scott gets the business department, and I get the encouragement one! Ha.

Anyways, all that to say, the people who showed up to the show yesterday did great. Those people would be Tyler, Candace, Rebekah, Paul, Dennis, and myself. We also had a special guest during Good News, Bad News: Red Chaos herself! Unfortunately, she injured herself, and wasn't able to participate in the show. She was still a good sport, though, and we look forward to the next show she can be a part of.

For those of you who missed the show, we had a good round of What Are You Doing?; the finalists for that were Emily, Paul, and Dennis. New Choice, What Could Go Wrong?, Genre, and Eulogy all went well, also. Props was as memorable as always... however, I can't tell you what the prop was, since I still haven't figured out what that would be yet. >.> Our victor was me (Courtney), with Paul being a VERY close second. Everyone put forth a valiant effort!

We also played Superheroes. Ahh, the joys it brings. We had two rounds, the first one being quite funny, with Paul being our evil villain. Bubble Woman (me), Mispronunciation Man (Tyler), and Crepe Lady (Emily) were able to defeat the devious Nutritious Breakfast Man, and bring eggs back into our lives.
In round two, I started out as Stinky Janitor Woman. I called upon the help of the Pregnant Man (Paul), who in turn called on Whale Lady (Emily). Whale Lady brought forth Tyler; however, he did NOT play a villain, but a superhero! Who was our true villain, then? They united to turn the tables around, which forced me to reveal my true evil intentions. It was entirely unexpected, but still highly enjoyable.

As a closer, Ashley brought up Scott, Tyler, Joey D., Paul, and myself to do a few games with Evolution Improv. Among the games played were Moving People, the Dating Game (which featured Andy, who later complimented the group), Press Conference, and as a special treat, Three-Headed Oracle. That segment went very well, and there were tons of laughs.

All in all, we had a great show, and I wish more of you could've been a part of it. As for the ones who were there, keep up the good work, and I can't wait to see you all at the next warm-up.

P.S., Sorry for posting this a little late; I had it in draft for a while. Well.....voila!

-Courtney

Late poster

Folks, it's awfully late for me to be just finishing the poster, and I'm sorry. My week has been amazing... I just quit smoking, maybe I'm more scatter-brained than usual.

Grab a copy, print it a few times and post it wherever you can.

In regards to April 19th show....

Hi everyone,

Sorry this came late. This is being sent by e-mail, blogger, myspace, and whatever else I can use to reach you all. Joey D has just informed me that he is going to be recording the April 19th show. Not just his set, but all of ours. This taping of the show is going to be seen by some very important people that can get Joey D a big break. But this can also get us some recognition as well. But he has also expressed some concerns in regards to idle people on stage not playing any of the games being a bit unprofessional. What does that mean? It means doing commentary during the games about the performers, challenging the host's decision, and interrupting the host. This is a chance for a cross-promotional opportunity that can prove beneficial for both him and us. He is counting on you guys to be professional and behave.

If you guys do your best to behave I will make it up to you. On my mother's good name, I will. Please don't act up during the show. This not only goes for you guys, but for everyone else involved.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please call myself or Scott.

Getting ready...

Those of you planning to perform at the next show, please arrive at the Firehouse this coming Saturday evening by 5 PM so we can do a quick warm-up. Confirm with us as soon as you can if you're coming, please; it will be useful for Ashley and me to know who to expect to show up.

Last warm-up was sparsely attended; I was unable to reach some of you by phone, and some have conflicts I know about. Please check the blog regularly for the next warm-up!!

Though attendance was small, we did some good work: we played a few rounds of Press Conference, ran through some oldies but goodies and even tried out Good/Bad/Worst for the first time in a while. Also our newest improv'er got roasted in Good News/Bad News.

The schedule for Saturday: meet at 5 PM, work for a while, break to eat, then prep the theater for the show. At 7, Joey D will open the show and perform some magic, then Improvysteria performs. Lastly, depending on the atmosphere, Evolution may play a couple of games. (Yay!)

Okay? Those of you who don't email, if you haven't gotten a phone message, call me or Ashley and we'll fill you in. I look forward to seeing you Saturday!

This may seem totally random, BUT...

When is everyone's birthday? I ask because Improvysteria had a cake for Emily, Ashley, and Merillyn... are we going to do something for everyones? I'd like a quick answer; Candace's birthday is on our next warm-up (the 13th), in case none of you knew that. Are we doing something for her? How about members in the future?

Keep me posted, please!

Rank lunch meat

"The Spoiled Baloney Man" opens at the Firehouse on April 26, and Jeannette would like Improvysteria to perform. Apparently the script only runs to about twenty minutes.

The dates and times for the shows are:
* April 26 @ 7 PM
* April 27 @ 3 PM
* May 3 @ 7 PM
* May 4 @ 3 PM
* May 10 @ 7 PM
* May 11 @ 3 PM

If you can help Jeannette pad out this show, I think you should. Plus... it can create all that much more buzz about Improvysteria™.

Any problems? Let us know!

Guidelines for next show

Okay, a few things you should know from Ashley and me:

One, the Three Warm-up Rule™ is in effect, except that we won't have three warm-ups before the next show; so please attend the next two warm-ups.

Warm-ups are next Sunday, April 13, 12:30 - 2:00 PM and a week from Saturday, April 19 at 5 PM (right before the show -- Ashley will not be there at 5 PM, I will run a few games until Ashley arrives).

Another item: idle improv'ers should not be chatting on stage while other improv'ers are performing!! This is unprofessional and does not help the group as a whole look good.

Finally: if the group continues to grow, it is entirely possible that not all improv'ers will perform. We want everyone to get as much stage time as possible, but that sometimes means that people do not get enough time to satisfy them. I don't think this is an issue for the coming show, but it MAY BE. Stay posted for updates!

Please tell Ash & me (here OR via email) what you think about these items, make suggestions if desired and/or criticize, we can take it.

(Well... actually I haven't been feeling very... strong, lately... :::sniff:::)

Oh, and one last note: would anyone's parents be willing to contribute a little time, in the way of helping us setup for the show, run snack bar etc.?

Theater games tonight

As most of you are aware, one of the local newspapers mistakenly wrote that there would be a performance of The Wizard of Oz at the Firehouse tonight. Jeannette would like to put on a show of theater games, and asked Ashley and I to organize it.

I called around to Improvysteria members, to see who can attend: the only definite no's are Tyfry and Tim. If you're coming, please arrive by 6 PM (if you can) so we can prep.

I recommended to Ash and JJ that we should not advertise this as an "official" Improvysteria show, although I think it should be mentioned that members of the group are taking part.

Hope to see you tonight!

Next show

Folks,

I scheduled the group to perform at the Firehouse on the evening of Saturday, April 19. Any problems with that date? Please let me or Ashley know.

Improv principles galore!

Hello again-

I thought I'd put this up, since we're playing theater games today. Sorry, to those of you who can't come! We'll probably let you know on what you missed out on.

Also, these are things that seemed like good tips to me. On a few of them, I reiterated the point a little.

Please read these, and try to keep these in mind at our future warm-ups and performances.

Get into trouble. Go out on a limb without being sure you have a way to recover. The audience will love seeing you deal with the situation you've gotten yourself into. Do not play it "safe".
Scott has said to let them sweat multiple times, I believe. This sounds like it goes along those lines.

Dare to suck big! HA! That's my only comment!

Don't plan ahead. Give up your ideas when the scene doesn't progress as you'd hoped. Just respond moment by moment to what happens, without thinking of a goal that you want the scene to reach. Too often, I think, we see people plan to do something, and get totally hung up on that. The best scenes aren't planned, they're spur of the moment.

Experiment (in performance, not just in classes or practices). Do things on stage that you've never done before, without coordinating them in advance with others. Let yourself discover entirely new skills right during a scene. Discovering new skills is always a good thing!

Love everything unconditionally. Usually loving something rather than hating something leads the scene into genuinely unpredictable territory. Hating something usually just bogs things down. (An instance of making the Active Choice.) For example, if someone gives you cotton candy, you could hate it because you hate circuses, and spend the next five minutes bickering. Or you could love cotton candy, get a sugar high, and wander into a tent where you get sawn in half. I can think of a couple people who definitely need to take this one to heart. Besides....sugar highs rock! ^_^

If there is violence in the scene, act it out in slow motion. This is actually a safety tip, but it's often funny anyway. I say, let's try to avoid violence. However, if we do end up play-fighting....that would be so hilarious!!!!!!

Go with the obvious. This is always the first resort in improv. Often, what is obvious to you is not obvious to other people, but because it connects so naturally with the scene, the audience often perceives it as "brilliant". Intentionally being non-obvious usually just comes across as "forcing it" or "trying too hard". We want to look like it comes naturally, right? So let's be brilliant!

If someone asks you a yes-or-no question and you have no particular inspiration, just say yes and see where it leads. Saying no usually blocks action. Self-explanatory.

Do something original in every game that you have never done or seen before. BUT DON'T PLAN TO. If you feel like doing something, just do it. Don't be afraid of doing something that has never been done before. In fact, do what you think is least likely to happen. The audience will love it. Since when are we realistic, anyways? :P

Commit. Sell It. Put your line out there, make your choice, and let whatever happens happen. Never say a line tentatively, like you need audience approval. Let the audience decide what's funny, let the scene go where it goes. Let me reiterate those first two words again: COMMIT. SELL IT. (Oh, wait. That's 3 words.) That is SO important. Think of your favorite lines from improv warm-ups and performances...they were always said boldly, loudly, and confidently, which is part of what made it funny. Right?

Create Potential, don't just use it up. If all you do is use it up, you eventually run out of potential. So create more, so we don't have to be at a loss!

If you liked those, and want to see the rest of them (I just picked my favorites out), you can go to this website, which is where I found them:

http://greenlightwiki.com/improv/tips_and_techniques

Can't wait until the theater games start!