New Video Monday

Instead of posting the new video here, I am going to post all of the links where you can find it. We have decided to go ahead and make a myspace page, facebook, youtube, and funnyordie. There are some others, but these are the main ones.

You can see the videos at any of the following sites. So pick your favorite and stay tuned for updates.

Youtube: This is where you can subscribe to the videos if you like them.
Funnyordie: This is where you can subscribe and vote if you like them or not.
Myspace: Just be our friend
Facebook: Again, just be our friend. Here, you will have to search for Tommy and Keith, and then become a friend/fan.

Have a happy New Year's Eve everyone.

This post was made for you and me

I'm pretty sure I am not the only improv nerd out there, so this post is for me...but also for any other improv nerds out there. I have found some great improv forums in the past few months and I thought that I would share them here with you.

First and foremost:

The Kansas City Improv Forum: City3.org
The Chicago Improv Forum: chicagoimprov.org
Yes And Forum: forums.yesand.com

Lastly, this is the Second City student forum...but it has a lot of good information on moving to Chicago, and how the classes are. Also, it is just a cheap way for me to live through the lucky bastards who are there: second city student forums

I know there are more out there, but these are the ones that I have some sort of connection with or are just great sources of abundant improv information. Enjoy!

Happy Holidays

I hope everyone had fun over the past week. I know I did. I also hope everyone had safe travels. There was some scary weather out there.

For the new year I am going to try and just do 2-3 shows at Comedy City while sticking with IA and starting again at RI. I can't wait to start at RI, I really feel that this is going to help us both in the long run. I know Clancy hates that, but until he fires me...what can he do. I am not doing this to help anyone or make money. I am doing it because I love it, so I will play where I love to play no matter what anyone says.

Comedy City may have its negative points but I just can't leave. One reason is the chance to play with all of those great people. They have been doing this a lot longer than I have and they are still there. I am still learning while I play there and I am having fun, so until that changes, I will be there.

New video from Tommy and Keith coming Monday, also we have started rehearsing for our 2-man long form show at the Improv Thunderdome on the 12th. I don't care if we win or not because right now our one rehearsal was a blast. Can't wait to perform it!

They are dropping like flies

IA is going through some very sad changes. The group was really coming together and making a lot of healthy strides when it comes to group mind. However, we have now lost Tommy to the workforce, Mandy has to sit out for 4 months or so and then rethink if she can continue, James will be starting a play and be out for 6 weeks, and Bess had her appendix out, so she is out for awhile as well...Wow. We went from a healthy 14 to a smaller 10 . It is not the end of the world. But it is sad when you lose a member...let alone, 4 members at the same time. It is quite a blow to the team. That being said, we still had a good rehearsal on Tuesday. We have 2 more private gigs to get through and then we start our 2008 season in February at The Lucky Brew grille. Very excited.

I am still deciding if I want to continue at Comedy City. The shows are okay, the money is okay. The players are great. I have had a lot of fun playing with new people. But I am considering joining Roving Imp. I have been a huge spokesperson for John and his group. Especially since I have seen their first performance, followed by many after that. They have grown exponentially in improv experience, and I think it is due to his great directing ability. I think I could learn a lot more from him, however they have a low attendance, and that has gotten to me in the past. Is it better to perform for a minimal crowd, yet get more out of it, or perform for a bigger crowd and not get much out of it at all? I leave it to you to answer this question.

I swear I am not stalking him

So, there is more Jason Sudeikis news. I have posted previously that I listen to Ruby Streak who does a podcast for Second City. It is fantastic, if you love improv, I highly recommend it. Well anyway, Jason was on her show and it is a great interview. Go here if you want to check it out.

Also, here is the new TommyandKeith video:

Man I am dying for an IA rehearsal. Last Tuesday we took the night off because of the storm. If I go for more than a week without seeing those guys it makes me itch. It is by far my favorite improv group to be a part of due to the fact that it was my first and its level of talent within the group is just sooooo great! I just can't wait to see what 2008 has in store for IA. 2007 was such a success, how could we top it?

In other news comedy city had some great shows over the weekend as well. I am still having fun playing there so there is nothing negative to report. Of course the building is still for sale but why would Clancy tell the new guy what is going on. So, I have no idea what is in store for Comedy City in 2008. I am sure I will find out what happens, the day that it happens, and then you will know the next day. Stay tuned!

I am also thinking about joining Roving Imp in 2008. They blew me away on Friday night. I have watched that theatre from the first day of construction and it has been a pleasure to see the growth. I am high on John Robison as a director and I always will be. He is turning that group into a professional troupe. I think I could learn a lot from him. If I do join that group I will have to make some decisions about Comedy City. Clancy is not keen on you being a part of any other group, but if I had to be honest I would choose IA and RI over CC any day. (are you keeping up with those acronyms?)

Tommy and I are still working on the videos, and new one comes out about every 2 weeks. There will be one out later today and I will post it up here tomorrow if I get time.

Is this a one time thing?

We had a show on a Thursday for the first time in a very long time. It was for about 50 people and it was a good show. The players had fun, so the audience had fun. Not only that but Comedy City has 2 sold out shows already this weekend. Now, before we get to excited let's remember that school is winding down, there are a lot of people coming down for office parties, and when it is cold out people want to do indoor activities. I don't want to sound like a Debbie the Downer, but I just don't want to get to excited about this. Hopefully this is not a fling, hopefully this will last forever, but I have to be realistic right. The only thing left to do now is give them a great show so that they want to come back and bring their friends. Good luck Comedy City.

Well, the ice storm has a grip on the city. Improv has been shut down since Saturday. Almost every show was cancelled. (Comedy City had a private show that was not cancelled Saturday night and it went very well) IA is supposed to have a private gig tonight, but that seems highly unlikely at the moment. December always seems to be a tough month for public shows, but man oh man have I been doing private shows. I have done 3 so far this month with another 3 to follow. People will shell out a lot of money for entertainment. From the conversations we have had with most of the people hiring us, they are sick of magicians and stand-up comedians. We have been very well received at all of the private shows so far, with most of them saying they will hire us again next year. Go improv!

Here is part 5

Part 5

and here is a great video of the 2 A-holes:



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Jason Sudeikis Interview

I don't have any idea how I stumbled across these interviews but they are great. It is actually Jason's history from KC to now, on how he got to where he is. It is great stuff. Jason answered all of the questions beyond honestly. I have always wanted to know the path he took to get to SNL and this is the absolute year by year path. He mentions a lot of KC natives and even talks a lot about his improv experience here in KC. It is a very long read but well worth it. Part 1 is mainly about the writers strike, Part 2 and beyond is his history in improv.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

If there are any more parts to this interview I will definitely share them.

My Week

Monday: City 3 board meeting. It went well, we took some eggs out of our basket and we are going to be focusing on things that help grow the improv community. Bringing well-known groups/improvisors to do shows and/or workshops. I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a High School Improv League as well.

Tuesday: Great IA rehearsal. We discussed our plans for next year and I am very excited for what is in store. More news on that in the future. (IA also has had 3 private shows this week!!!)

Wednesday: Editing two more videos for the Tommy and Keith stuff. Can't tell you to much, but they do involve a burger and an answering machine...hmmm.

Thursday: A well deserved break.

Friday: IA private gig at Arrowhead Stadium...(not on the turf, but in some clubhouse) I will definitely let you know how this goes. I am very excited for this.

Saturday: Comedy City shows all night. (Hope they don't get cancelled)

Chocolates, Dogs, and Videos

Friday night at comedy city was much better than the slew of recent shows that have been cancelled due to poor attendance. The crowd was great and the show was great. We all had high energy and we gave them a great show. (sorry for using great so much...but it was)

Not to be outdone, Improv-Abilities had a show in St. Joseph, MO for about 100 employees of Nestle/Purina. (That is typed correctly...chocolate and dog food) Again, great scenes, great energy, the crowd loved it. We all left feeling like we gave them more than they paid for.

Tonight is a City 3 board meeting where we will discuss the happenings for the next year. Who knows what will come out of it, but I hope we strive to grow the improv community here in KC. I will definitely keep you updated on how this turns out.

Tommy and I are still hard at work flushing out some funny videos, here is that final installment of the introduction process. Enjoy: