A frank discussion about ImprovOlympic

[Fantômas]

As noted in the referring thread on CIN, I have created this thread on the IRC in hopes of fostering a frank conversation about ImprovOlympic. The reason I authored the thread here is that there are no ImprovOlympic-affliated moderators or admins. With no one in the IO hierarchy having the ability to see IP Addresses or e-mails, psuedonymous posting isn't futile or, as some would see it, career threatening.

This isn't a "Slam IO" thread. Well, maybe. The point is to foster a discussion about where IO has been, where it is going and what is right (or wrong) with things right now.

Post your opinions and views. Just don't bitch, if possible, proffer solutions. Most of all, don't be a jerk.

Fantômas

 

[Fantômas]

The Harold Committee: At one time, there was a clamor for a committee of some sort to see shows since it was obvious Charna wasn't seeing shows and leaving the decisions about the Schedule in too few hands. Now that the Committee has existed for quite some time, I think it is fair to ask whether or not the Committee fulfilling its potential.

The Culling: As Gilley astutely noted on GIN, "the bloodbath" occurs on a fairly regular basis and is never as severe as predicted. However, my contention is that IO, again, treats the symptom and not the root cause. Some will contend that a periodic pruning of the Schedule is necessary, given the cyclic nature of the Training Center, but why are things allowed to get so bad before action is taken?

Is IO a Business or a Theater: Yes, it is both, but is one being stressed more often than the other to detriment of the performers?

 

[Steev]

Stirrer.

 

[Fantômas]

Stirrer.

Maybe.

There has been a lot of talk of late. On IO and other topics. But even some of the more reserved improvisors I know are passionately speaking against one thing or another at IO. I hoped that a calmer discussion would be had now as opposed to after the next schedule, where tempers may be quicker to flare.

 

[BSteuernagel]

Why does it matter if teams get broken up anyway? You're not getting paid and it's not like you can't form your own group and rent out your own space. It's Charna's theater, she can do what she likes.

 

[kungfooshus]

Teams breaking up do matter! Most groups are formed from players who have gone through classes together. they have formed a bond of trust and playfulness. I've seen one team decimated for no reason. Half the team stayed, one went to a new team, and the rest were thrown by the wayside. No explanation given.

I think that's what needs to happen. Explain why the choices were made. That way the Improvisors have a better understanding of what's happened.

 

[RabbitRabbit]

Okay,I'll Bite

Strange times.

This is the absolute end of an era and some new beast is slouching towards Clark and Addison.

We are in the middle of a five week performance schedule. The reason for this unprecedented shortened schedule is so it can be determined which teams and which players are expendible.

While some guy from the Gold Coast and his date watch their $24 show, they are watching players improvising under stress. Charna is going up to teams before shows, so they will in fact realize that tonight is the only show that really counts. Fun way to do a show, huh?

Many of us are about to get cut and we will be part of a new generation of ex-improvolympics.

There are too many of us, and many of us have become preoccupied with self-promotion and what night and slot we have on the schedule rather than just enjoying the opportunity to perform.

It's easy to become bitter. But it's tense, now. ImprovOlympic is about toget a face lift. And you have nothing to say about it.

 

[Fantômas]

I think that's what needs to happen. Explain why the choices were made. That way the Improvisors have a better understanding of what's happened.

I'll be fair here and say Griggs was always approachable if I wanted to speak him about things of that nature. Ultimately, it's a matter of perspective: should IO proactively approach teams or individuals to let them know specifically why they were cut or should those players approach IO after the fact?

I think an argument could be made either way. IO shouldn't have to tell each and every person/team the reasoning behind their removal or reshuffling, but I think it would be a very cool thing if they took that extra step and did so. To be fair, having to deal with dozens of emotional performers over and over again would be a burden on the individual(s) assigned that duty; it would also become a second fulltime job on top of whatever their regular duties at IO would be. Definitely not an enviable task.

 

[BSteuernagel]

Teams breaking up do matter! Most groups are formed from players who have gone through classes together. they have formed a bond of trust and playfulness. I've seen one team decimated for no reason. Half the team stayed, one went to a new team, and the rest were thrown by the wayside. No explanation given.

I think that's what needs to happen. Explain why the choices were made. That way the Improvisors have a better understanding of what's happened.

You're free labor without a contract. You paid to go through classes- not play on a team, so don't act like she owes you anything.

If it's such a big deal, form your own theater, do great shows and put IO out of business.

 

[kungfooshus]

Why does it matter if teams get broken up anyway? You're not getting paid and it's not like you can't form your own group and rent out your own space. It's Charna's theater, she can do what she likes.

It matters to me! I know, "Go form your own theater!" I am sick of this Mantra. Why is this the default attitude? It's not just Charna's theater, it's Noah's and TJ's, Chins, Griggs, Farley's, Dorf's...It is all of these and more. Charna just happens to be the one who makes the profit.

Why not get everyone together and boycott till some changes are made. That's a better attitude. Or just everyone call in with a head cold, it worked on West Wing, it can work there!

Like this will ever happen.

 

[carrieb]

i don't get the concept of "fairness". i suppose that means i'm not totally american. i think the word "unfair" is thrown around way too much when the word "sucks" should be used instead.

That's unfair.
No, that just sucks.

The world is not fair. We do not get to choose who we are humanly. Our parents do not get to choose who is their offspring, traits-wise. That is up to something else.

But we can choose what we make of our big asses, our fucked up childhoods, the color of our skins, etc. ACTIVELY making positive choices can largely improve the individual worlds in which we live.

Carrie
=)

 

[jady]

I agree with Carrieb. I understand that it sucks to be given the boot, to be ignored, to play on the stage and THINK you're getting noticed and appreciated, when you're not.
It also sucks to watch bad improv, and the theatre DOES need trimming on occasion.

I won't disagree that they can use a rather blunt instrument for what should be a more personal decision, but the fact is that NO MATTER how good/bad you are, someone loves your improv, and someone hates it. So you may get cut. and you just have to get up, shake it off, and realize that they didn't start IO to give everyone bear hugs and eskimo kisses. it's Buisness, it's competition, and only the freakishly lucky and freakishly talented ever get the recognition they deserve.

 

[goldfish boy]

"Charna just happens to be the one who makes the profit"???!!! I hope that's a bit, because it's just preposterous. Charna just happens to be the one who took all the risks in setting the business up, who does the behind-the-scenes business stuff that I'm sure none of the performers want to get involved in, who kept Del alive and healthy enough to teach, who has to make sure the curriculum is faithful to IO's artistic values, who has to deal with the innumerable redundant regulatory agencies who need regulations abided by and palms greased.... Like it or not (and there were plenty of times when I was there that I didn't like it), it's Charna's theater and she has a right to choose who plays on her stage and with whom. Does she make bad decisions sometimes? Sure. Does the committee? Sure. Everyone makes mistakes. Every theater makes bad decisions. They're entitled to.

You can be as sick of the "mantra" as you want to be, but no one is obligated to let you play.

Your team can stay together as long as you want it to, if you're willing to do the grunt work to find another place to play.

It makes me sick that I'm actually agreeing with BSteuernagel about something, but that's the way it is.

And since I'm not in Chicago any more, I probably shouldn't have intruded on the conversation, but that's the way it is, too.

 

[jillybee72]

I think people roll around IO completely unaware that their own work is mediocre. It's easy to get lost there for years at a time and not know you're not special or particularly good at improv. At the same time, you have this sense of entitlement because you plunked down your cash. That's a bad sitution. Most of the teams that get busted up are probably like every other team formed with the mission statement "We are a team not because we share an artistic vision but because we signed up for level one at the same time a while back."

I'm not speaking directly to the work of anyone on this thread, I'm not sure I've seen you, I'm just speaking to what I've seen night after night at IO.

 

[noeld]

I also have to come in pretty solidly on Brad's side here. I think that a lot of people loose their perspective when it comes to IO. It is Charna's theatre. Period. For most of the theatre's history it did mediocre business and Charna took from her own mouth in order to keep IO afloat and make it grow. And it may seem at times like Charna is a heartless producer. I assure you she is not. Charna often keeps people around that she knows are not overly talented because she sees true love of improv in them. That effects her business which costs her money. How many of you are willing to take a pay cut so that some performer can stick around?

When you go on an audition do you expect to be given an explanation as to why you did not get the part? Do you expect to be codled?

Performing requires a little confidence in your destiny and thickness of skin.