Watched the TJ and Dave Documentary last weekend at The Roving Imp and was blown away by their attention to detail. They perform every Wednesday in Chicago and they go to New York to perform for 3 days straight once a month. They have been together for 5 years.
Tonight John and I do Dictionary Soup. This is maybe our 15-20th total show...we perform once a month...so if I calculate this right, we will be as good as TJ and Dave by 2040...should be pretty funny...we'll both be in our 60's.
In all seriousness, after watching that documentary, I felt proud of Dictionary Soup. We are not far from their level of brilliance. John and I based our show around TJ and Dave and I'm pretty sure that we have succeeded in recreating a solid 2 person long form improv show here in Kansas City.
Should be a great show tonight since we are both striving to be better at what we do!
1/08/2010
12/18/2009
12/14/2009
Dictionary Soup Show
Had a great return show with John Friday night. I can't think of anyone else who I would rather have played with on my first night back in almost a month and a half. He was as energetic and excited as I was and I think the first half showed that. We played fast and fun the entire first half. The second half was much more patient and slow. I was worried I was going to miss a step, but John was right there to help me through the quiet slow moments.
In January I have to decide if I am ready to go back to rehearsing every Tuesday night with IA, and how many shows I want to dedicate too. I am already doing Dictionary Soup once a month and it looks like I will have a Thunderdome show in March as well.
The Trip Fives have asked me to play in their January show because Ed will be out of town...how could I say no to that. That will be a great chance to play with some great people.
I think I will at least try to get back to rehearsing with IA every Tuesday, and hope that my improv schedule is not taking away time from the family.
In January I have to decide if I am ready to go back to rehearsing every Tuesday night with IA, and how many shows I want to dedicate too. I am already doing Dictionary Soup once a month and it looks like I will have a Thunderdome show in March as well.
The Trip Fives have asked me to play in their January show because Ed will be out of town...how could I say no to that. That will be a great chance to play with some great people.
I think I will at least try to get back to rehearsing with IA every Tuesday, and hope that my improv schedule is not taking away time from the family.
12/08/2009
12/01/2009
The itch is coming back
December 1st...starting to miss improv...a little bit. Maybe a show with John at Roving Imp will help with that...After that show I am going to have to figure out how to schedule 2010 improv around my new family. I guess it will just have to be patient with me.
11/24/2009
We were on a break!
My wife and I had a baby girl November 16th...Improv will just have to wait for awhile...
11/05/2009
11/03/2009
The Break
Having my last improv shows (for awhile) at the Impfest was great. It was great to go out feeling like I participated in something that helped the community. I haven't been to a rehearsal or a show in over 2 weeks now...and I have to admit that I don't miss it yet. I definitely miss the people, but I don't miss the process right now...and that makes me think that this is a good thing. I need a break. I have been doing this for 10 years now...wow...10 years...and I think it's time to relax for a bit.
My next show will be with John at the Roving Imp on Dec. 9th. A very easy show, little to no rehearsing. I promised him that I would do monthly shows with him and rehearse when we can. He has been so lenient with me...anyone else wouldn't agree to that.
After the new year, I know I want to continue doing Dictionary Soup shows with John once a month, maybe even do a little bit more at The Roving Imp. John even mentioned how he may need help teaching a class there. It would be great to work that part of my improv muscle more.
Other than that, I still don't know what I want to do, but 2010 is still far enough away to give me time to think about it.
My next show will be with John at the Roving Imp on Dec. 9th. A very easy show, little to no rehearsing. I promised him that I would do monthly shows with him and rehearse when we can. He has been so lenient with me...anyone else wouldn't agree to that.
After the new year, I know I want to continue doing Dictionary Soup shows with John once a month, maybe even do a little bit more at The Roving Imp. John even mentioned how he may need help teaching a class there. It would be great to work that part of my improv muscle more.
Other than that, I still don't know what I want to do, but 2010 is still far enough away to give me time to think about it.
10/22/2009
and so it begins
The Roving Imp Theater is hosting its first ever ImpFest and I am so happy it's here. John gets to showcase not only his theater, but also two and half years of shows, classes, blood, sweat, and tears.
I have always been jealous of him ever since he told me he was opening an improv theater. In a way, he is living many improvisers dreams...but John has something different. He isn't doing this for himself...he is doing it for improv. Sure he is a business man and wants to make money, but at the end of the day, he loves the art form.
Tonight, Impfest kicks off with what is sure to be excitement and nerves from John. But he shouldn't be nervous at all, because he has the backing from many improvisers in town, and if he did a trust fall...everyone would be there to catch him.
I have always been jealous of him ever since he told me he was opening an improv theater. In a way, he is living many improvisers dreams...but John has something different. He isn't doing this for himself...he is doing it for improv. Sure he is a business man and wants to make money, but at the end of the day, he loves the art form.
Tonight, Impfest kicks off with what is sure to be excitement and nerves from John. But he shouldn't be nervous at all, because he has the backing from many improvisers in town, and if he did a trust fall...everyone would be there to catch him.
10/19/2009
IA had auditions
We had two people audition for IA last Tuesday and I voted yes for both of them. They are two strong players with serious potential to help IA as they also get help from IA. As I am about to take at least a two month break from IA, I strongly recommended picking them both up to start training them for shows next year. If I start back up in January, it will be great to play with them after they have been rehearsing for two months. I think they will both bring some much needed energy and focus to a group who has had a rough few months.
In other news Impfest 09 is coming up and I am so excited for John's theater to get some much deserved attention and audience this weekend. I will be doing my last IA shows for the year there which will be bittersweet. However, I will also be doing Dictionary Soup in front of some peers and that is very exciting. I can't wait to hear what people think of it.
In other news Impfest 09 is coming up and I am so excited for John's theater to get some much deserved attention and audience this weekend. I will be doing my last IA shows for the year there which will be bittersweet. However, I will also be doing Dictionary Soup in front of some peers and that is very exciting. I can't wait to hear what people think of it.
10/14/2009
10/12/2009
improv weekend recap
Friday was a blur. Woke up at 4:20, showered, met Dennis and Nikki and started driving to Burlington Iowa. Picked up Megan and another Dennis on the way and continued our trip. Arrived in Burlington, ate a sandwich, and did 45 minutes of improv. Got into comfy clothes, got back in van, and headed home. Got back in town around 7pm and relaxed in the house for about 45 minutes. (Highlight of the trip, too many to mention, but one worth mentioning...Dennis D got a shirt that says "Dippin It Down In B-Town")
Drove to Roving Imp to do a Dictionary Soup show with John. Fun show, felt like a warm up for the ImpFest show coming up in 2 weeks. Drove home and went directly to bed with my wife.
Saturday, picked up Bender at 7ish and drove to Patrick's to rehearse our Thunderdome format. Rehearsed for 10 minutes and headed to the coffeehouse when Pearl showed up. Performed 1st had a blast and then got to watch the other two teams kick some serious improv booty. Fun night, great audience, and the audience had a blast in my opinion. Drove home after show and went directly to bed with my wife...What a weekend.
Drove to Roving Imp to do a Dictionary Soup show with John. Fun show, felt like a warm up for the ImpFest show coming up in 2 weeks. Drove home and went directly to bed with my wife.
Saturday, picked up Bender at 7ish and drove to Patrick's to rehearse our Thunderdome format. Rehearsed for 10 minutes and headed to the coffeehouse when Pearl showed up. Performed 1st had a blast and then got to watch the other two teams kick some serious improv booty. Fun night, great audience, and the audience had a blast in my opinion. Drove home after show and went directly to bed with my wife...What a weekend.
10/06/2009
The Last Hoo-Rah
This Friday I will be going to Burlington, Iowa with Dennis and his crew to perform some short form. I love improv road trips...there are always stories...some that can't be shared.
Then Saturday is Improv Thunderdome, and this year was one of my favorites so far. The draft made for some amazing teams and some amazing improv here in the city. The championship round will definitely be exciting to see and play in...seriously...can't wait.
Then Saturday is Improv Thunderdome, and this year was one of my favorites so far. The draft made for some amazing teams and some amazing improv here in the city. The championship round will definitely be exciting to see and play in...seriously...can't wait.
10/01/2009
9/29/2009
IA Update
It has been a frustrating year being a member of IA. Just a couple of years ago we were in the Chicago Improv Festival, we had great members, and we thought that we were really growing into one of the top groups here in KC. Ever since Chicago, things have been up and down...but mostly down.
It is easy to say that it's because most of the members have left, or are involved in many other improv related things outside of the group, but that's not it. There were frustrations and no communication, and the group was slowly becoming a very negative thing for me personally.
So...we had a meeting on Friday and we got some things out that were bugging us. Most importantly, everyone shared their frustrations and talked about what they would like to see from the group in the next year or so...and everyone listened...it didn't hurt that we had beer and food too.
It was tough, but it was necessary. We learned a very simple fact. If you are frustrated with something, you have to talk about it with the directors and/or the group. Otherwise, you may find yourself showing up to rehearsal, with nothing being resolved, finding yourself more frustrated. I for one was doing this, complaining about things to my wife, but never to the people who needed to hear it most. So, in a way, I was part of the problem.
Hopefully the meeting helped. Only time will tell. In fact, in a month we will begin to see whether things are better or worse when we play at the Impfest.
It is easy to say that it's because most of the members have left, or are involved in many other improv related things outside of the group, but that's not it. There were frustrations and no communication, and the group was slowly becoming a very negative thing for me personally.
So...we had a meeting on Friday and we got some things out that were bugging us. Most importantly, everyone shared their frustrations and talked about what they would like to see from the group in the next year or so...and everyone listened...it didn't hurt that we had beer and food too.
It was tough, but it was necessary. We learned a very simple fact. If you are frustrated with something, you have to talk about it with the directors and/or the group. Otherwise, you may find yourself showing up to rehearsal, with nothing being resolved, finding yourself more frustrated. I for one was doing this, complaining about things to my wife, but never to the people who needed to hear it most. So, in a way, I was part of the problem.
Hopefully the meeting helped. Only time will tell. In fact, in a month we will begin to see whether things are better or worse when we play at the Impfest.
9/22/2009
The growth of improv in KC
I was fortunate enough to host the last round of Thunderdome which in my humble opinion was the best round I have seen. All 3 teams had great shows, if I was an audience member, it would have been a tough vote.
More importantly. Conversations after the show really made me proud to be an improviser here in KC. I think people are starting to realize that this can't be the next Chicago, LA, or NY. It just can't. They are larger cities, with a larger talent pool. However, I had some great conversations with people that agree with me on one thing we can do to help improv all around.
Why can't we be a stepping stone to those cities? Many people that come from Second City, and other established improv institutions, say that it was their University. So, it gets me thinking that Kansas City could be a High School of Improv, or (gasp) a Community College for those larger established institutions.
Roving Imp has started something that no one else in KC has right now. The ability to take improv classes, and perform as well. If that isn't a start to a training center, then I don't know what is.
There are no tiered levels, there is not enough interest yet to create the levels, but the pieces are in place, and I for one am proud to know that if anyone can handle it. It is the Roving Imp Theater. It is amazing to think what that Theater has done in 2 and a half years, and it will be amazing to see what it can accomplish in the next 2 and a half.
Kansas City Improv is making a turn right now. There are the great groups that have been around a while, but now there are groups that have sustained themselves for at least 2-3 years. We are starting to see some High School and College improvisers, but they need a place to perform and a place to train. (of course, collaboration with the aforementioned groups would be nice, but that is a whole other topic)
There is Exit 16, but that is for Liberty High School students only. (Don't get me wrong, if it wasn't for this program, improv would be less relevant in KC.) The College improvisers just made a name for themselves and created their own shows, which is inspiring to see. But it would be nice to see High School and College students interested in improv have a place to train and perform here in KC.
So, my question is, where do you see it going? What is the next step?
More importantly. Conversations after the show really made me proud to be an improviser here in KC. I think people are starting to realize that this can't be the next Chicago, LA, or NY. It just can't. They are larger cities, with a larger talent pool. However, I had some great conversations with people that agree with me on one thing we can do to help improv all around.
Why can't we be a stepping stone to those cities? Many people that come from Second City, and other established improv institutions, say that it was their University. So, it gets me thinking that Kansas City could be a High School of Improv, or (gasp) a Community College for those larger established institutions.
Roving Imp has started something that no one else in KC has right now. The ability to take improv classes, and perform as well. If that isn't a start to a training center, then I don't know what is.
There are no tiered levels, there is not enough interest yet to create the levels, but the pieces are in place, and I for one am proud to know that if anyone can handle it. It is the Roving Imp Theater. It is amazing to think what that Theater has done in 2 and a half years, and it will be amazing to see what it can accomplish in the next 2 and a half.
Kansas City Improv is making a turn right now. There are the great groups that have been around a while, but now there are groups that have sustained themselves for at least 2-3 years. We are starting to see some High School and College improvisers, but they need a place to perform and a place to train. (of course, collaboration with the aforementioned groups would be nice, but that is a whole other topic)
There is Exit 16, but that is for Liberty High School students only. (Don't get me wrong, if it wasn't for this program, improv would be less relevant in KC.) The College improvisers just made a name for themselves and created their own shows, which is inspiring to see. But it would be nice to see High School and College students interested in improv have a place to train and perform here in KC.
So, my question is, where do you see it going? What is the next step?
9/17/2009
9/15/2009
Times, they are a changing
After November. I am going to be taking some time off from improv. I may do a Dictionary Soup show, and help Dennis out if he needs it, but other than that I will not be doing a lot of improv. I will most likely take a 1-2 month break from IA because we rehearse on Tuesday nights at 7 and usually have monthly shows on Friday nights around 7 also. My work schedule usually keeps me till 6:45-7:00 at night, and I hate feeling hurried, or making others wait on me.
Looking back on this blog, at one point I was doing Comedy City, CounterClockwiseComedy, IA, Roving Imp, and Thunderdome...I have no idea how I did it. I remember thinking to myself that I was getting a lot of stage time to really work on things, but some stage time was not so helpful, and some of the groups were more of a frustration than anything.
I have always told myself that I do this for fun, and if it isn't fun anymore, then I wouldn't do it. Comedy City was more frustrating than fun, and so was CCC. So I had to quit those groups. Everything else has been a blast, but I am sure that I am going to have to make some tough decisions again once January hits.
This time, it won't have anything to do with frustration and fun. It actually has to do with improv not getting in the way of other priorities. I am not looking forward to some of the decisions I will have to make, but I have to remember that they are for the best.
I will still be doing improv in some capacity, but as to what that will be...only time will tell.
Looking back on this blog, at one point I was doing Comedy City, CounterClockwiseComedy, IA, Roving Imp, and Thunderdome...I have no idea how I did it. I remember thinking to myself that I was getting a lot of stage time to really work on things, but some stage time was not so helpful, and some of the groups were more of a frustration than anything.
I have always told myself that I do this for fun, and if it isn't fun anymore, then I wouldn't do it. Comedy City was more frustrating than fun, and so was CCC. So I had to quit those groups. Everything else has been a blast, but I am sure that I am going to have to make some tough decisions again once January hits.
This time, it won't have anything to do with frustration and fun. It actually has to do with improv not getting in the way of other priorities. I am not looking forward to some of the decisions I will have to make, but I have to remember that they are for the best.
I will still be doing improv in some capacity, but as to what that will be...only time will tell.
9/14/2009
KCiF: 9
I just want to say that Susan Messing and Mark Sutton put on one of the best improv shows I have seen in years, if not my entire life. You can tell that they have each been doing this for years and that they each have a wonderful sense of play. That being said, great festival, great crowds, great after parties...just great.
IA kicked off Saturday night and I felt really happy with the way the show turned out. We all were very calm before the show and I think that everyone came out ready to have fun, I know I did. Even better was the fact that we were then able to sit down and watch the next 3 groups go on. After the curtain call we went to tower tavern, drank, and reflected on a job well done by everyone involved. I think everyone was very pleased with how the festival was run.
It will be very interesting to see what happens next year.
IA kicked off Saturday night and I felt really happy with the way the show turned out. We all were very calm before the show and I think that everyone came out ready to have fun, I know I did. Even better was the fact that we were then able to sit down and watch the next 3 groups go on. After the curtain call we went to tower tavern, drank, and reflected on a job well done by everyone involved. I think everyone was very pleased with how the festival was run.
It will be very interesting to see what happens next year.
8/31/2009
So much improv so little time
Friday was a fun IA show. We have some nice energy heading into the Festival next week, which should be a ridiculous show. Did I mention that we are playing on the headlining night...so we are going to be playing to a huge crowd. Not only that, but we kick off the whole show...getting excited just typing that.
There was also a poop ton of improv related shows and parties this weekend which made it impossible to attend everything, but my heart was with all of the shows that I missed. I heard that every show had some great attendance, and that always makes me happy. As long as we are putting on good shows for good crowds, then improv is succeeding in my book.
There was also a poop ton of improv related shows and parties this weekend which made it impossible to attend everything, but my heart was with all of the shows that I missed. I heard that every show had some great attendance, and that always makes me happy. As long as we are putting on good shows for good crowds, then improv is succeeding in my book.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
