In 2005 IA went to the Dallas Comedy Festival. We were green...we still did short form and were not practicing long form much. In fact, at that time, I am pretty sure we didn't even really know much about it at all.
There was group there called The Reckoning from IO in Chicago. They did a Harold both Friday and Saturday night and it was brilliant. One person stood out for me in that show and his name is Michael Patrick O'Brien. He doesn't know me and I don't know him, but he inspired me to become a better improviser that night.
Some people say that I play a female character very well. Well, the secret is out. I stole it from him. He played a female character in a way that I have never seen. He played it straight, without all the stereotypes a male usually plays when they are a female in a scene, again...brilliant. I always think back on his rendition whenever I play a female...always.
He was smart, witty, quick, but there was something else. He played smart and aggressive, he made people look good, he made himself look good. I knew, even then, that this guy had some serious improv talent.
I remember looking up the group when I got home and watching when their performances were. Whenever we were in Chicago I would check them out. Yes, I slowly became a stalker.
Last year I found out that he was going to be joining the Mainstage at Second City. I had to go. My wife played along and we went. I remember pointing him out to her telling her that he was hilarious. He didn't disappoint. Even then, I think I knew that he would end up somewhere like SNL and I think that is why I followed his shows.
Wednesday, I heard that he was hired as a writer for SNL...for some reason, I felt proud. As if, I knew all along that this guy was going to make it successfully as an improviser. I don't know if that was his goal, but it is still one hell of a job, and I am truly proud that I have looked up to him as an improviser.
John Robison told me that he took a level 3 class from this guy at IO and that he was one of his favorites. I didn't doubt that for a minute. I am glad I got a chance to see him before his name was known to America. Even though he will be famous now, I will still look up to him as an inspiration.
8/14/2009
8/12/2009
IA Rehearsal
There still seems to be a lack of energy at some of our rehearsals. I don't know what it is but I hope that it is resolved soon. I left rehearsal feeling as if the group was split or separated by people there to have fun and people who seemed like they were forced to be there.
I often find myself feeling like I have been in every scene during a longform show, last night in rehearsal was very similar. There were a few people sitting down during scenes and I kept jumping in seeing opportunities to add to the scene. Even when there was an edit and a new scene needed to be started, I felt like I was involved too much.
But if they are sitting down not really putting forth the effort that I am, do I deserve to be the one to add, or to be the one to start? It really is starting to frustrate me. If you don't think the scene is fun, or if you don't think the form is fun, then why don't you try to help make it fun, instead of sitting there not participating and sucking out the energy.
I hate whining, but this has really started to bother me...sorry. I definitely don't want to call anyone out either so sorry if this is offensive. I just care about the shows I put on and when others don't show the same affection for it, I just get bothered. I also will be the first one to help make it better in any way.
Whiny Keith says goodbye for now...
I often find myself feeling like I have been in every scene during a longform show, last night in rehearsal was very similar. There were a few people sitting down during scenes and I kept jumping in seeing opportunities to add to the scene. Even when there was an edit and a new scene needed to be started, I felt like I was involved too much.
But if they are sitting down not really putting forth the effort that I am, do I deserve to be the one to add, or to be the one to start? It really is starting to frustrate me. If you don't think the scene is fun, or if you don't think the form is fun, then why don't you try to help make it fun, instead of sitting there not participating and sucking out the energy.
I hate whining, but this has really started to bother me...sorry. I definitely don't want to call anyone out either so sorry if this is offensive. I just care about the shows I put on and when others don't show the same affection for it, I just get bothered. I also will be the first one to help make it better in any way.
Whiny Keith says goodbye for now...
8/10/2009
God I Love Thunderdome
It's great to see a team that was randomly drafted get together and put on a great show, but it is even better when you see all 3 teams put on a great show and then you don't know who to vote for. That's what happened at Saturday's show. I left the show wanting to see each group perform again. It's great to know that there are so many talented improvisers in Kansas City. I am definitely proud to be a part of the so called cult.
8/05/2009
IA Rehearsal
We came off of a great show at Lucky's last Saturday and had an ok rehearsal. We are gearing up for 2 months of exciting shows...but there is something missing. Every year there seems to be an exciting moment in an improv groups year and then there is that down moment. I feel as if IA is in that down moment. Maybe it is because everyone is doing multiple shows and working on the festival, therefor getting burnt out. Does anyone else ever have these moments? Do you just wait out the valleys and hope for another peak?
8/03/2009
Long time no blog
Sorry...I could make excuses, but what's the point. I've been busy and facebook is the new blog..right...isn't that what the kids are saying?
Anyway, I'm back to blogging on a regular basis, seriously. I started this as an online diary of the improv news in my life. And I have missed a lot of news in these last few months.
In June IA went to the Twin Cities Improv Festival. We had a blast and I really love that city. Tommy is lucky to live their now. Their improv scene is light years ahead of ours and I have to admit, it made me jealous.
Oh yah, and I learned that an improv group should not eat at Chipotle before a show. I am pretty sure that every single one of us pooped before the show. A couple of us may have gone more than once. However, it was a good show...hmm.
Tommy moved to Minneapolis so our videos have been put on hold...that's right, on hold. If he is ever back in town, we will definitely work on some more.
Dictionary Soup, just keeps getting better and better. In fact, I have a feeling I will be getting more involved at Roving Imp as long as John allows it. He painted his stage blue...it's gorgeous.
Dennis Dupont has invited me to many private gigs that he assembled and Loaded Dice even asked me to help them with a show at the Record Bar with The Trip Fives that was packed! There will be another on August 18th with IA and the T5's that should be well attended also. It is an absolute honor to be asked to play with anyone, it makes me feel as if I may just be good at this thing called improv.
So much is coming up in my improv life. I promise I will blog consistently from now on...To Be Continued...
Anyway, I'm back to blogging on a regular basis, seriously. I started this as an online diary of the improv news in my life. And I have missed a lot of news in these last few months.
In June IA went to the Twin Cities Improv Festival. We had a blast and I really love that city. Tommy is lucky to live their now. Their improv scene is light years ahead of ours and I have to admit, it made me jealous.
Oh yah, and I learned that an improv group should not eat at Chipotle before a show. I am pretty sure that every single one of us pooped before the show. A couple of us may have gone more than once. However, it was a good show...hmm.
Tommy moved to Minneapolis so our videos have been put on hold...that's right, on hold. If he is ever back in town, we will definitely work on some more.
Dictionary Soup, just keeps getting better and better. In fact, I have a feeling I will be getting more involved at Roving Imp as long as John allows it. He painted his stage blue...it's gorgeous.
Dennis Dupont has invited me to many private gigs that he assembled and Loaded Dice even asked me to help them with a show at the Record Bar with The Trip Fives that was packed! There will be another on August 18th with IA and the T5's that should be well attended also. It is an absolute honor to be asked to play with anyone, it makes me feel as if I may just be good at this thing called improv.
So much is coming up in my improv life. I promise I will blog consistently from now on...To Be Continued...
5/21/2009
whew
Wow...it has been a month since I have posted anything. Honestly, it has been a month since I have done improv...or I just can't remember. Sorry anyway...I will get back to posting more often...promise.
It's funny that I posted about Dictionary Soup, because that is what I want to talk about this time too.
It happened last Saturday. John and I have been talking about doing more in depth 2 man shows. We have been researching a lot of what TJ and Dave do in Chicago and are using them as inspiration. If you haven't seen them, do yourself a favor and see it. It is the perfect blend of a theater piece and an improv show. They are just talented men...enough said. Well, we did our best and put on a hell of a show last Saturday. It was very emotional and I left feeling like I spent an hour in therapy. I won't bore you by explaining it, but the characters were so challenging to play it was exhilarating.
A little over a year ago John and I did this to challenge ourselves to become better improvisers and we are still challenging ourselves today. I hope it continues the way that it is going because it is becoming my favorite improv show to perform.
There isn't much else coming up except for Thunderdome Season 4. We start rehearsing for that in June. After that, I will be focusing my efforts on Improv-Abilities going to Minneapolis. Should be a good time. I might even try to snag Tommy and make another video while we are up there...we'll see.
It's funny that I posted about Dictionary Soup, because that is what I want to talk about this time too.
It happened last Saturday. John and I have been talking about doing more in depth 2 man shows. We have been researching a lot of what TJ and Dave do in Chicago and are using them as inspiration. If you haven't seen them, do yourself a favor and see it. It is the perfect blend of a theater piece and an improv show. They are just talented men...enough said. Well, we did our best and put on a hell of a show last Saturday. It was very emotional and I left feeling like I spent an hour in therapy. I won't bore you by explaining it, but the characters were so challenging to play it was exhilarating.
A little over a year ago John and I did this to challenge ourselves to become better improvisers and we are still challenging ourselves today. I hope it continues the way that it is going because it is becoming my favorite improv show to perform.
There isn't much else coming up except for Thunderdome Season 4. We start rehearsing for that in June. After that, I will be focusing my efforts on Improv-Abilities going to Minneapolis. Should be a good time. I might even try to snag Tommy and make another video while we are up there...we'll see.
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