Things to Consider when choosing an Improv Class

There is a new podcast featuring some things you should consider when choosing an improv class that is right for you. Check it out.

http://www.theimprovfrog.libsyn.com/

Are ya still having fun?

Hey, remember how much fun you had in that very first improv class that you ever took? Now, its years later and you're onstage and your face is all screwed and twisted, brow furrowed, and your whole body shows the strain going on inside your brain. What happened?
Stop being so serious! dont put all that pressure on yourself to be funny clever and witty.

Just be present, and enjoy yourself. Have fun, dont judge the audience, dont judge your fellow players, and dont judge yourself.

Where did my audience go?????

You started out attracting a good size, and enthusiastic audience, but now your house is more than half empty. What went wrong?
Who knows...but there is a good chance that something needs to be changed.
The most likely culprit in these economic times are your ticket prices. Perhaps you need to outright drop your prices, or at least offer "specials" and discounts on occasion. My personal rule of thumb for improv shows is ten dollars and under. If the price is ten dollars, I will probably see one or two shows a month. If its five dollars, I will see four shows a month.

If you already have low prices, and have lost your audience-it has to be something else.
Perhaps the quality of your shows have slipped. We all want to get stage time, but not everyone is really ready to be on stage. I think having novice performers on stage can drive away audiences. Perhaps have one show a month featuring the up and coming performers, and keep the rest of the shows strictly to the best and seasoned performers.

And finally, look at the format. Beleive it or not, audiences get bored with the same format.
If all you are doing is some type of long form, where you do scene one, two, three....and then heighten one, two, three over and over until the end. well then, that format gets played out.
I'm a big fan of troupes who have thier own format which is different from what everyone else is doing. And even then, after awhile...they will change their own format.


On a side note...I love improv audiences (for the most part). I am always constantly meeting the friendliest people in the audience, and the most easily approachable people. I think its because people come to see a show in a good mood. they are ready to have a good time, and they want to have a good time. so give thanks to your supportive audience members individually when you can.

What do I do BEFORE a show?

Number one thing? Sleep. I have to catch a nap before a show. This serves three functions. it gets me rest, stops me from pacing back and forth and disturbing my downstairs neighbors, and stops me from eating. Eating before a show makes me feel sluggish. After the show I eat my way all the way home, and then eat when i get home.

I spend a little personal grooming time in the mirror. Thing is, when not performing I never do ANY personal grooming. I just dont care. But on a show night I will take care of those things that I neglect in every day. this includes nostril hair trimming, and eyebrow trimming. Now, I am not a fan of guys who shape their eyebrows like a womans. I hate that. But I do take care of the stray hairs, so they are not all Andy Rooney.
A good close shave. Some gel on the hair. and a nice ironed shirt with a tie.
Plenty of underarm spray.

I must say...I was the sharp looking one out of our troupe.

What do I do after a show???

Had a moderately succesful show tonight. No major flaws by myself or team members...so? This is Las Vegas a 24 hour hotspot, I know you are all wondering what I do after the show with all my pumped up energy?
Straight home. Downloaded a song that had been banging around in my head all day ("Stay" by Shakespears Sister.) straight to the refridgerater....began cooking a late dinner, since I starve myself on show nights. I am making a southwest style chicken breast. And turn the tv to Nancy Grace, pour a tall glass of chocolate milk...and thats it.
I know I have an exciting life.

Demetri Martin

Comedian, actor, correspondent from the "Daly Show" Demitri Martin is hilarious. Agreed? Check him out in Comedy Central's "Important Things with Demitri Martin." available on DVD.
Of coarse by now most people know he dropped out of law school with just ONE year to finish, so he could pursue his comedy career.
A distinctive comedic voice, he should be on your list to check out, and follow his career. He has a long time ahead of him, and undoubtedly will change the comedy landscape for years to come and inspire the next generation of comedians.
Inspired in part by the dry humor of Steven Wright...but with a voice of today's young generation.
he is sweet, confident, and comfortable with himself. And most importantly funny.

6 Questions with the Last Men on Earth

Here is a link to six questions I asked Anthony and Mike from the Last Men on Earth.

I had asked them these questions in anticipation of the podcast session which would come later. And since I blew the podcast with some technical malfunctions....all I have to salvage is this written interview. Mike and Anthony are both charming and polite. And I am scary. Like in the perverted way. So...it may be awhile before they sit down for a re-do of the podcast. My fingers are crossed. In the meanwhile...enjoy reading their responses to these six questions.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Aeq29Yv8QhvAZGR6bnFyNDdfM2ZtcDZ0Y2hn&hl=en

Check these DVD's

A list of my fave DVD's featuring talented improv and sketch comedy players:

Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Strangers with Candy
Mr.Show
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Chappelle Show
Ali G
Reno 9-1-1

Lets Get Physical

Hey, if you are a big fan of improv theater, and you become really big fan's of certain specific performers that you go to see....I bet you can identify one common trait that all your favorite performers share. My guess is that they all are very "physical" performers onstage.
They use their entire body, not just their face and voice.
It is easy to tell a joke and get a big laugh if its funny, but if thats all you want to do...why not pursue stand up comedy instead of improv.
the great improv perfomers create great physical situations and characters using their body and movement that can garner laughs without a joke being necessary.
I hope all you students of improv start using your full bodies and movement from the very beginning of your journey into improv proficiency so that it becomes second nature.
have fun, and jump around!

Affordable Improv Classes in Las Vegas

I have been asked to teach improv at LVFREEZE in Las Vegas.
I will be teaching the intermediate class.
I love teaching improv, Im not especially eager to give up my friends and family time...but i'm not locked in to any long term contract, so-I will do it as long as it remains fun for me.

information can be found at
http://lvfreeze.wordpress.com

UPDATE on the Last Men on Earth

I have been promising a podcast with Anthony and Mike, the comedy duo from The Last Men on Earth.
It has been pushed back due to me being a retard.

I had them both sit down for a great podcast, I then went to editing in a brand new program that I bought. I guess I shoulda saved a back-up copy before getting to the editing. I erased the entire track.

The boys are hard to get together and sit down for an interview, and I blew it.
So apologies to all, and I will do my best to wrangle them together again. It just wont be as soon as I would want, because of their hectic schedules.

New Teaching Position at LVFreeze

I accepted a paid teaching position at LVFreeze. I will be teaching the Intermediate Improv class, every week on Sunday.
Why am I taking this position I ask myself. I've been there several times before, and always been frustrated in the end.
The truth is, I really do love teaching improv.
My frustrations in the past have come from differences of opinion with the school or sponsoring organization where I taught at.
I feel enough autonomy going into this specific situation that I dont worry too much about it.
I will be sacrificing my free time. Time I usually spend with family and friends.
The classes will be kept small...so the money is not going to be that great. But it may be worth it in otherways, such as filling my heart with gladness.

My HONEST opinion? Well....not always.

If you are doing improv, there is a very good chance that you are connected with almost everyone in the local improv community where you live. I am always asked my opinion from performers who are just starting out in improv. they will invite me to a show, and then ask for my honest opinion. Sorry to tell you-in most instances, what I am giving you is not going to be my honest opinion. I beleive in encouraging junior talent instead of squashing it. If you are really that bad, I know you will eventually get that feedback from someone else, so it doesnt have to be me. I am more interested in you as a person. If you are a nice person and a bad improviser, I will be nurturing and complimentary to you. If however, in the rare instance that you are a bad person and a bad improviser, I will set you straight on both accounts. ONLY if you ask me.
Otherwise I beleive in keeping my mouth shut and moving on.

Now having said that...I will also state, if our relationship is professional, like you are taking a class from me, and I am your improv instructor...I will be honest. I will be encouraging, and positive, but honest. Instead of saying "you suck." I will tell you that it is premature for you to be onstage in front of a paying audience, and to continue working on your skills. I will identify the skills you need to work on, and help you monitor and track your progress. I will show you other people who are doing it correctly, and expose you to excercises that will help you.

Worse come to worse...in the no win scenario, I would encourage someone to invest in conventional acting instead of improvisational acting.

The Last Men on Earth...stay tuned

Great news. I have just secured an interview with Anthony Owliaie and Mike Cardella, the two darlings of the Las Vegas improv scene. Mike and Anthony are an improv comedy duo who perform under the name: The Last Men on Earth.

The interview will be in two parts.
Part one will be a simple six question written interview that will be published here on this blog site.
After that the duo will sit down for a taped interview which will be featured in its full length on my podcast.
So stay tuned.

Improv Aint Easy Folks!!!!

Wow, recently watched an improv troupe perform, and it was painful. Whats worse was this was the night I decided to sit in the front row. I usually am placed in the middle rows or even towards the back. I couldnt hide in the darkness. Although I wished a hole in the earth would have swallowed me up.
Here's the thing. Kudos for people being brave enough to take the stage and open their mouths to speak. But-that's not really good improv is it? Are you born funny, or can you learn to be funny? I dont know for sure, but it seems as though a lot of people who werent born funny OR learned to be funny-have decided to try improv.
I have always maintained that jokes, or being funny should not be your priority as an improvisational actor. But for heavens sake-its got to be somewhere on your skill list!
Humor and jokes should NOT take precidence over the integrity of the scene. But, audiences come to watch improv to laugh. Hence, you must know how to create humor through character, dialogue, physicality, and situation. Just being able to open your mouth and speak is not a marker of success in improv.
I think what happens is the BEST improvisors make it look easy. That is a testiment of their skill and artistry. However, dont be fooled...it is NOT easy.
I just recently had a conversation with someone who had just taken TWO hours of basic improv instruction, and immediately wanted to join the main stage company and perform with them.
People...loved ones....dont rush things. Take your time, learn your craft, and people will let you know when you are ready. They will be seeking you out. They will be asking you to perform with them and join their group. Keep at it. Learn through trial and error. Take classes. Study. And when it is time to hit the main stage-go for it!

become an Improv Mentor

Nothing gets me more excited than watching a "novice" walk into an improv workshop and take to the stage with gusto and fire in the belly. Maybe they lack some of the teqnics you have mastered over the years, maybe they didnt learn all the little "tricks" that you did...or maybe they just dont have the right amount of confidence in their own talent.
Consider taking the extra time and effort it will require to be an Improv Mentor to them. Guide them in the right direction, ease them into some advanced theories and practices. Bring them along to events, introduce them to people in the business. Give them a healthy dose of self confidence.
When I was just starting out, it was very common to hear my friends or other novices to tell me that I was really good or possessed talent. But these were my friends...I never was really sure if their evaluations of my talent were legitimate. But when someone who admired and looked up to and respected in the business took me aside to tell me that I had a talent for improv-it convinced me.
Now, whenever I see raw talent from a novice performer...I always make sure to take some time to let them know that I can recognize the potential for greatness in them, and encourage them to continue their efforts.
Beleive me, they will remember you for years to come, if not their whole life long.

Improv STARS on Adam Carolla Podcast

Two great episodes of the Adam Carolla Podcast which feature some outstanding Improvisers and their stories about their improv training and background can be foundon itunes or Adam's website www.adamcarolla.com

Look for the July 24th 2009 episode to listen to Paul Scheer & Rob Huebel from Upright Citizenz Brigade and MTV's sketch comedy show Human Giant.
and
the July 28th 2009 episode to listen to Cheryl Hines, who plays Larry David's wife on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her and Adam are both alumni of the Groundlings Improv Trainging and share their stories about their time there.

Disclaimer: ADULT CONTENT.

Too Many Performers on Stage?

Hey yall...how do you feel about too many performers on stage?
To me it's distracting. I recently saw an improv group where there were eighteen people on stage. You know, say fifteen people standing in a row along the back, while three people are doing their scene...then one will get tagged out, or all three rotate out to be replaced by another group, while the ones tagged out, go to the background line.
Maybe its the OCD in me, but I cant concentrate on the scene-Im always keeping track of who has gotten a "turn." No matter what is going on in the scenes, Im concentrating on the people in back. "When is HE going to tag in?" or "SHE keeps playing with her hair." "Why is HE swaying back and forth?"

Too many people for me equals too many distractions.

If your improv troupe is too big, why not break it off into two seperate groups or three seperate groups?

My preference for groups are five members or less.

My current favorite group THE LAST MEN on EARTH, are two members.

Also, whenever I see groups with so many members-I automatically think amatuer. true or not, I have to call it like i feel it.

I say, for your workshop class...having all those people on stage is fine...but for the performances and professional shows....keep your head count down.

Best Improv Deal in Las Vegas!

Every Monday night the Onyx theater hosts the S.E.T
it is an improvisational show with usually three different improv groups.
tickets are ONLY seven dollars!
It is 8 pm at the Onyx theatre
www.onyxtheatre.com
953 e. sahara ave. 89169

Paul Scheer & Rob Huebel appear on Adam Carolla Podcast.

Adam Carolla, who attended training at the Groundlings and other improv schools, probably most famous from the Man Show...now hosts his own podcast.
On the July 24th 2009 he has as guests, Paul Scheer & Rob Huebel from Upright Citizen Brigade, and MTV's Human Giant sketch comedy show.
ADVISORY NOTE***it is Adult Content.

Adam Carolla's Podcast is the most downloaded podcast in history, with no signs of slowing down.

You can download via iTunes, or directly from his webpage www.adamcarolla.com

The three begin the show by talking about improv and pull no punches :0