Update

Attendance has been quite light for the past few practices, so we skipped a few weekends in anticipation that some of the kids in marching band might rejoin at the end of the season.

So: are we ready to spend a few weekends doing improv again, or shall we put the site in mothballs until after the end of the year? You tell me!

Welcome back

We've had light attendance at the first couple of warm-ups this fall. Some kids are busy every Saturday for the first couple of months of school, so we'll try to mix things up and have practices on other days too: for instance, this Sunday at noon.

With few people, we've concentrated more on running exercises than full-fledged games. The exercise of choice has been Storytime! and we've come up with some doozies. Come on folks, join the fun!

Here's another idea for an exercise, something we can do online if you're inclined: briefly describe a situation and challenge others to come up with a nice one-liner to wrap up the scene. Here, I'll do an example:

A cop is walking down the sidewalk when a man wearing nothing but pants runs out of a building.

Give me one line! One possible answer is:

The cop says, "Buddy, you should've bet the rest of your clothes, you never know when your luck is going to turn."

Or:

The half-naked man says, "Officer, I'd like to get something off my chest."

What do you think? Hmmmmm?

New warm-ups, show opportunity

Please check the calendar for dates and times and locations of warm-ups. Plus, we have an opportunity to perform a post-Halloween show.

What do you think? Let us know; meanwhile I look forward to seeing you very soon.

Next warm-up, showcase opportunity

The next warm-up is scheduled for this Saturday from 1 to 5 PM at the Firehouse.

I got a call from a former actor's parent tonight, telling me a little about a neighborhood festival called Eaglemania. It's hosted by St. Jude Church, next to Parkview, and occurs on June 13th.

(Those in the know may say, "DUH! That's your church!" Bear with me.)

Apparently there will be a talent show at the festival, but the organizers are a little light on acts. So, I was asked, would I be interested in helping to provide a little something?

So, improv'ers: would you be interested in providing a sample of Improvysteria? Please let me know.

Good news, bad news

The good news is, three of Improvysteria's four regular adult helpers are working on the next Firehouse production, Al Capone and Me, and it's going pretty well. The bad news is, four out of four are unable to make time for a warm-up at the Firehouse this coming weekend. We're sorry!!! I know this is disappointing, but we ARE coming to the end of school, and many of us are already very busy. (Absence makes the heart grow fonder? I hope?)

The Firehouse might be open for our use during the day May 31st, or early evening June 1st. IIRC our creative director cannot be there on May 31st, but if there is enough demand, and she's okay with it, the rest of us might meet.

More good news: I checked in at the local library to see when we might use their big conference room, and many afternoons look good during the summer. Take a look at their schedule here -- Tuesday afternoons look free, shall I mark some of them down?

That's about all I have for now, but I should mention the fabulous work members did promoting Improvysteria for the audiences of The Spoiled Baloney Man. (I know, he's my son, but never have I heard anyone use a soliloquy from Hamlet as a put-down!) Kudos as well to the audience last weekend for staying for improv, even after the fire alarm went off.

If you think of a good time to meet earlier than June 1st, please tell us! I look forward to working with you all again ASAP... and Happy Summer!

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?

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!

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.

Next show date

Jeannette worked out the issue with her schedule, and our show goes on as planned. Yay!

The email is going out shortly, but meanwhile I'll tell you:

JJ is changing the schedule for her next show at the Firehouse, and she asked whether we might consider moving our show (now scheduled at 7 PM, Saturday March 29) to Friday, March 28.

I told her it depends on the participants. I dislike having to change, but it's her venue and her decision.

So: would Friday, March 28 at 7 PM work for you all? PLMK (please let me know).

Next warm-up

Hi, folks. I have been extremely busy and have not scheduled the next warm-up yet! I spoke to Jeannette and cleared Sunday early afternoon as a possible time, as long as the warm-up takes place upstairs.

So, my dilemma: call a warm-up for 12 to 1:30? Will some members be unable to arrive by noon because of church or other commitments?

Also, there are performances of the Lucky show at 3 PM and 5 PM on Sunday, so anyone involved with that show will face a LONG day at the Firehouse.

Sunday evening after the second show (circa 6:30-8 PM!) might be possible, but I am concerned about the lateness on a school night.

I would not be able to attend Sunday evening, as I must leave immediately after the show; therefore I will not be available for those who may need rides home.

So, what are your ideas folks? I look forward to your comments.

P.S. -- Keep in mind next week is the week before Easter! Many of us will be busy with family & other stuff, so a warm-up on a weeknight next week probably is a bad idea.