The Next Level 4P - Improvised Satire

UCB Classes

UCB Classes

UCBT Improv Chief
#1
#1
<b>Improvised Satire - Taking Aim at Politics, Media, Culture, and Society
Taught by Kevin Mullaney</b>

This is the next performance level 4. The class will meet in May and June to create a revolutionary improvised show which deconstructs current events, politics and the media. I'm looking for opinionated, smart improvisors from across the political spectrum who are interested in tackling a format which will weave improvised scenes together with news articles, collected video, audio and photos, and possibly other multi-media.

<b>REGISTRATION</b>

In order to be accepted into this class you must have completed a level 3 before May 1st, 2003 AND you must attend 1 of the free workshop-auditions listed at this link. In order to sign up for one of these free workshops, send an email to <a href=mailto:classes@ucbt.net>classes@ucbt.net</a>. Tell us in order of preference which of these workshops you can make. I will add another workshop, should demand warrant it. These workshops will be approximately 2 hours long.

The students will be chosen from workshops and notified sometime during the week of April 20-25th. Students will be given a week to register and pay for the class once they have been accepted. If there are still openings after the week is up, we will admit students from a waiting list.

<b>ADDITIONAL INFO</b>

Actual class dates and times will be announced the week of April 20th, but it is likely to be held on Saturdays from 3 to 6, starting on May 3rd.

Do not attempt to register for this class unless you are prepared to do a lot of out of class reading, research and media collection.

Special consideration will be given to students with specific skills or equipment such as video cameras or video editing capabilities.

Maximum class size will be 16.
 
UCB Classes

UCB Classes

UCBT Improv Chief
#3
#3
Someone asked me via email if these workshop/auditions will be like the harold team auditions. The answer is NO! These will be like a free workshop/preview of the class. You will rehearse for about 2 hours in a group of 12-16 people working on various exercises that we may use in class to develop the form.
 
UCB Classes

UCB Classes

UCBT Improv Chief
#4
#4
Someone pointed out that the email I sent out to prospective students said the workshops were on 26th Street. That was a typo. It will be at our main school office at 163 West 23rd Street.

Also, the Saturday and Monday sections are nearly full. Be sure to send me an email soon if you want to be in one of them.

I've had 2 people tell me that they will be out of town from April 12-20. So, I may add a workshop on Tuesday the 22nd, but only when the others fill to 12 people.
 
UCB Classes

UCB Classes

UCBT Improv Chief
#5
#5
So... the Saturday and Monday workshops are full, and there is one slot left in the Wednesday workshop. So I'll add one more on Tuesday, April 22 at 10:15pm. Same place: 163 West 23rd Street.

Send an email to the address below if you want to try out.
 
C. Scrutinizer

C. Scrutinizer

New Member
#7
#7
Improv drawn from the news of the day is "revolutionary?" I guess so . . . if it's 1954. Wasn't this the original intent of David Shepherd et al?

Additionally, this sounds very similar to Red All Over

Nonetheless, it is a fine idea.
 
UCB Classes

UCB Classes

UCBT Improv Chief
#8
#8
There is a 95% chance that the class will be on Saturdays.

It will be a lot more than:

1. Read news.
2. Do scene
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

Believe me, this show will not be like anything you have seen before.
 
C. Scrutinizer

C. Scrutinizer

New Member
#13
#13
Apologies if it seemed as though I was being dismissive (although, I did end the original post with praise of the idea. I can see how it could be misread given what preceeded it. I should've included more smileys.)

I was mainly poking fun at the hyperbole of terms like "revolutionary" and "like nothing you've ever seen before." The first, in particular because it is this political bent that STARTED longform improv. (I've read "The Compass" can you tell?)

Given the right cast, this show (desperately needed in these troubled times) could be great. I predict it'll be easier to find a smart enough cast than it will be to draw a smart enough audience to appreciate it. :D
 
Shannon Manning

Shannon Manning

peace
#16
#16
This is a good idea. Go!

Since Red All Over was brought up, which I directed, I just wanted to pipe up.

You don't indicate this per se, but we never read the news (our newspapers were blank!) We asked the audience to toss out a few topics, current events, personal, political, or societal concerns that were weighing heavy on their minds. We discussed these topics and other things that were on our minds, and then did scenes inspired by the discussion. And then 3: Repeated steps 1 and 2.

Not revolutionary, just basic good longform improv the way I interpreted it from Del, investing suggestions with personal meaning, focusing on exploration and discovery in our scenework, and treating the audience like they were "poets and geniuses." And our audience was always smart enough to appreciate it. I suspect the UCB audience will, too, and if not, you'll attract a new audience. Or start a riot!
 
mullaney

mullaney

IRC Administrator
Staff member
#17
#17
Just want to clarify that I did not intend to disparage Red All Over. The form that outlined as steps 1-3 was one a group I was involved with did in Edinburgh. I heard great things about Red All Over, and feel stuipid to have not seen it. Anyhow, this show will be very different from it and any improv show I've ever heard of.

Nothing but :love: for Shannon,
mullaney
 
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