[Connecticut] Land of the Lost

HairballofDoom

HairballofDoom

Bearded Daddio from Mars!
#1
#1
Hey, I was curious to see if there were any CT groups out there? I know of possibly one or two, but would like to know of more. Currently I'm in the process of trying to start an improv troup in New Haven, saddly the oppertunities are very slim, due to classes and the general state of apathy around campus. Well if you're out there say something.

Cheers
Cj
 
HairballofDoom

HairballofDoom

Bearded Daddio from Mars!
#2
#2
Ok so I'm just going to plug an audition in here if any one is from the area, though it looks like CT is kind of well gone.

For the next three weeks I will be holding auditions by appointment for my thesis project. I will be directing Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape and Ionesco's Improvisation or the Shepard's Chameleon. There will be some slight pantomime and if you have a monologue prepared I will be happy. If you're interested PM me or email me at carljamesolson@hotmail.com

Hey it's worth a shot I guess.
 
HairballofDoom

HairballofDoom

Bearded Daddio from Mars!
#3
#3
Pluggity plug plug

Yeah I figure since oneof the plays has Improvisation in the title I should plug it... even though there is no improv involved, which is why this isn't in the plug space, for I'd feel too guilty posting it there, but as I am the only one posting on behalf of CT....

This Friday and Saturday (January 21 and 22) at eight pm will be a performance of Samuel Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape and Eugene Ionesco's Improvisation, or the Shepard's Chameleon. This is a senior honors thesis for my undergraduate theatre degree.

The shows will be performed at Southern Connecticut State University's John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts in the Kendall Drama Lab, 501 Crescent St. New Haven, CT 06515. Addmission is free. So come! Enjoy theatre of the absurd and I'll give you a cookie.* That is all.




*Cookie may or may not be real
 
R

RBPiepho

New Member
#5
#5
Hey I'm currently in CT going to Uconn Waterbury but probably going to Storrs next semester. I took some improv classes with Second City NY over the summer and I'm starting a weekly class at the UCB later this month. So yeah, I'm here. I'm actually more interested in sketch than improv (as I've written more sketches than I have performed improv) but I love both. Me and some friends might get a sketch group together so we'll see what happens there. Anyways seeya around the state.
 
T

toddman

New Member
#6
#6
Heyyooo

Hi - my names Todd- I go to school in Providence, do long form up here, and I'm working on Short Form. I live in CT though, and I'll be home for the summer (excepting 6 weeks when I'll be in London) I know those six weeks are kindof a road block, but I'd be willing to work around it, if you want to try to get something together. Hometowns Guilford. shoot me an email - Todd
 
HairballofDoom

HairballofDoom

Bearded Daddio from Mars!
#7
#7
RBPiepho said:
Hey I'm currently in CT going to Uconn Waterbury but probably going to Storrs next semester. I took some improv classes with Second City NY over the summer and I'm starting a weekly class at the UCB later this month. So yeah, I'm here. I'm actually more interested in sketch than improv (as I've written more sketches than I have performed improv) but I love both. Me and some friends might get a sketch group together so we'll see what happens there. Anyways seeya around the state.
Click to expand...

This is not totally a solid thing but if you do end up at Storrs and my friend doesn't go to Grad School next semester I'll shoot you her info as she desperatly wants some improv action. She is also a decent contact for the local theater scene (Windham Theater Guilde, Flock Theater in New London and that theater up in Puttnam that I can't remember the name of). She also likes puppets.
 
HairballofDoom

HairballofDoom

Bearded Daddio from Mars!
#8
#8
Tomorrow from 7 - 9 at SCSU in New Haven, the crescent players are having an open improv night. Totally free and possibly fun and freaky.

Also I just found out that every Wednesday at Bar on Crown St. in New Haven one of Yale's improv troops puts on an improv jam. Not sure on the times yet, I'm guessing it might start around eight or nine. Not sure how this one is set up, but hopefully I'll check it out either this week or next.
 
J

JRussell1388

New Member
#9
#9
Just thought I'd pop into the Connecticut Forum and say hello, I'm very new to the site and to Improv as well.

I took an Theater Games and Improv class at Central Connecticut State University and I loved it!

Organized Improv is very new to me (so I don't know the all the terms... long and short... ya know) but I've always had a blast performing unscripted comedy, including variety shows, etc...

Again, just wanted to see what was up, and would love to know how to get started... if it's at all possible... in CT
 
HairballofDoom

HairballofDoom

Bearded Daddio from Mars!
#10
#10
Hey hey! Some one in CT! And from Central too boot!

Here's a few links I've managed to dig up on the CT scene:

Free Play which offers some classes and shows, seems to be based out of Cheshire, also seems youth oriented, which could be good or could be bad, depending.

Off the Cuff short form group from West Hartford, not sure if they are looking for new people or not.


New England Academy of Theater has a short form improv program and a troop that does corporate shows. I've known some people who got involved with other aspects of N.E.A.T. they seemed to like it.

SCSU has been attempting to start some improv workshops and groups which so far have been open to the public to join and are free.

Yale has a good scene, but you have to go to Yale to take part.

I tried to form a group sevearl times and got discouraged so I bit the bullet and took a class in New York. In the end it was worth the train ride. From what I've seen (at things like ACTF and the like) you guys from Central have a kick ass improv program. I highly suggest you grab some friends and make a go at forming your own group. Think of it as starting a band, dedicate a space for practice and when you're ready try and get a gig at some venue.

As for this here website if you haven't yet, check out http://www.improvresourcecenter.com/mb/showthread.php?t=13472 it is by far the most comprehensive introduction to improv I've come across.

If you feel like reading things here's a list:

Truth in Comedy by Charna Halpern
Improv for Actors by Dan Diggles
Improv by Mick Napier
Impro: Improvisation and the Theater by Keith Johnson
Something Wonderful Right Away by Jeffrey Sweet
and
Improvisation for the Theater by Viola Spolin

I think that's enough for right now. Good luck and I hope some of this helps. I'm sadly moving out of CT but I do know some people who are in the New Haven area who just might be interested in putting something together.

Best of luck!

Carl
 
HairballofDoom

HairballofDoom

Bearded Daddio from Mars!
#12
#12
I just got done with my level 1 at magnet with Armando Diaz, freakin' great class that was. I'm possibly taking level 2 at Magnet either in the lte summer or fall (as soon as monitary issues work themselves out) but eventually I'd like to try out some of the UCB classes.

And yay magazine!
 
Z

zickzapzop

New Member
#13
#13
Improv classes in CT

Howdy! I moved to CT from Seattle last year and have been starved for improv. I went from doing 2-3 shows a week to a whole bunch of nada. I haven't found much in the way of classes, shows, or anything. I've seen a few short form groups but absolutely no long form. So...I decided to teach some classes in order to try to get some interest in improv and long form going in my area. If any of you are interested the details are below. If not, I'd still like to know any improvisers out there. I'm in the central area right outside of Hartford.

Claire

Improv classes at Park Road Playhouse

To register for classes, call the Park Road Playhouse at 860.586.8500

Improvisation
Learn the basics of improvisation. Discover how to actively listen, to use your own life to create stores, and to avoid common thoughts and communication patterns. The class will focus on the fundamental principles of improvisation with emphasis on scene building skills and having fun.
Maximum 12 students
Tuesdays, 7-10 pm
8 weeks
9/12-10/31

Advanced Improvisation
This class will hone the skills of the more advanced improviser. The class will explore narrative and address individual strengths as well as areas that need improvement. Students will learn to sustain a more complex narrative using all of the skills learned in previous classes. Focus will be on long-form improv forms including Harold. Performance at end of class.
Prerequisite - Permission of instructor
Maximum 12 students
Sundays, 7-10 pm
8 weeks
9/17-11/5

About the instructor: Claire recently moved to West Hartford from Seattle where she was an ensemble member at Unexpected Productions. She performed weekly in Seattle Theatresports (tm) and long-form shows such as Blank Slate, Harold, Spoken, Fakespeare, The Melanie Game, Campfire, A(n) Improvised Christmas Carol, Black Eyed Blonde, Impressionistic Horror, and improvised Disaster Film, and 80s Teen Movie. She was also the Assistant Artistic Director and only female member of Sisters of Sal, a long-form improvisational comedy troupe that won Seattle CageMatch and performed with Ryan Stiles at his UpFront Theatre.
 
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