New Guy Wants to Network

[Walter]

Hey folks,

I'm Walt. I'm new. I'm a carnivore and I'm assistant director of a sketch comedy troupe in Philly, called Comic Energy. (Shameless self-promotion). We do sketch mainly, but we also do some improv. (Not a purebred, more of a mutt). Our sketch kicks holy ass, but there's a lot that I think we could do to strenghten our improv skills. So I'm reaching out to the purebreds (read:experts) for some tips to take us from mundane to...well...less mundane I guess. We're up on the whole trust, blocking, non-negating thing (most of this carries over twixt the genres), but what we really could use; are those small details that make the difference between steak ( tough, veiny, marbled beef, thrown in a pan on high flame for 30 minutes), and STEAK! ( filet mignon medallions marinaded for 12 hours, grilled (ON CHARCOAL GADDAMMIT!!!) for 15, and topped with fried onions). I'm certain that someone here has the necessary expertise in your craft to help a novice not bring shame to the genre of improv.

 

[amutepiggy]

HI WALTER!!!!

welcome to the cult.


i think the best thing any group can do is hire a regular coach- one who does not also play with the group. there are tons of people here who'd be able to help you out. i know both Kelly Jennings and Matt Holmes have publicly offered their services as a coach on this very message board, though you'd probably do better to ask them directly. there are tons of talented and capable people, it's just a matter of who's got the time.

for pure networking, check out Rick and his incubator group.

also, you should check out the Annoyance Theater philosophy of improv. a good place to start is by reading Improvise! by Mick Napier. for me it had the effect of "so remember all those things you learned about improv? well, forget them."

 

[ick1019]

HI WALTER!

Yeah, you should totally come to the cult... uh, I mean Incubator on Sunday for meeting and playing and eating of various vegetables and improv.

We'd like to meeeet you.

 

[Mikey]

(R)ick,

Is that thing this Sunday the 9th?

I hate you,

McF

 

[ooberwench]

How do you eat improv? I live, sleep and shit it, but I rarely eat it...

 

[maughangl]

Hi Walt!

As a fellow shameless plug guy, I feel like it's my duty to tell you...

Check out www.phillyimprovtheater.com! There are a couple great workshops (one-afternoon affairs) coming up in Philly and you sign up for them online!

Greg

 

[ick1019]

The eating of improv continues on Sunday April 9th, so if you don't know what that means... be there....

 

[Black Maria]

The eating of improv continues on Sunday April 9th, so if you don't know what that means... be there....

I ate improv instead of supper;try the Incubator Diet today: just 2-3 hours per week & those unwanted pounds will melt away!
op:

 

[ick1019]

Black Maria rocks the Incubator! Keep in mind that if the incubator is kept in a naturally warm (or cold) room the temperature of that room will affect the temperature of the incubator. Also, keep a close eye on the dampness of the substrate being used - if it starts to dry out it will have to be carefully re-dampened.

 

[Loki]

And the pseudo-mysterious online identities of Black Maria, Milkshake, Scrappy Jackson, Bringhurst and many others will be revealed to those brave enough to attend.

So if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for appetites await your improv with nasty, big, pointy teeth!

 

[Black Maria]

Also, keep a close eye on the dampness of the substrate being used - if it starts to dry out it will have to be carefully re-dampened.

Sounds like how one would treat phyllo dough....mmm... baklava.
What Incubator is complete w/o marshmallow peeps (yellow only)?
I look foward to meeting those who believe pre-written material isn't a sin; however, when I perform it, it becomes sinful (like marshmallow peeps & baklava).