Tips on starting your own group?

[mikefluence]

I am building a Squidoo Lens for new improvisors interested in this play. What would you say are some essential rules for building your own group? I would like to hear some first hand experience from those who have built groups from the ground up.

 

[MRmtg]

i would love to hear some thoughts on this..im pretty new to improv and live in a nearly improv free city (detroit)

 

[smike]

Plan a couple of social events early on. Regular practice is necessary, but going out as a group for bowling, miniature golf, or just having a few beers and hanging out will go a long way towards bonding everyone together.

 

[Lord Hatsumi]

Last edited by mullaney; Yesterday at 04:01 PM.. Reason: Removed website plug

Mullaney pwned!

 

[Lolamaddy]

I've run a couple of teams and these are the best things that have worked for me...

• Create a payment structure; people are more likely to show up for practices if they have paid already
• Create tools to market your group, including a Facebook page, website, a page on NYImprovTeams.com and posts on IRC, the Magnet Theater site and any others. This establishes your group and gives a sense of "professionalism" to the team
• Find a coach that can stick with the group and help them grow. This is kind of hard, but a conversation with a potential coach about your goals and expectations can go a long way to the cohesiveness of the group
• Definitely plan bonding events and outing, helps everyone "get" each other and feel comfortable on stage
• Have fun, don't judge, ever!, and go big in every practice
• Try not to get too wrapped up in process and just have fun. I have learned from experience that getting too OCD about it all doesn't work. People flake (we are talking about actors here), get jobs/other opportunites, etc... Groups come and go like lightening in this community. Stay connected to the people you think are the funniest and learn as much as you can

 

[Mark820]

Lolamaddy hit it right on the head, also i reccommend teams between 4-6 players. It's enough for tagouts, support work, and it won't be too "crowded" either

 

[Holmes]

Find people that you connect with, people with similar creative aspirations and professionalism to you. Whatever level of time and effort and 'seriousness' is fine, so long as you're all on the same page.

 

[learningcomedy]

I agree with Smike about creating social groups. It helps a lot to get to know each other before they go out there and put together a play.

I would also recommend using meetup.com to promote your local meetings and to find other people interested in your area. This is a great way to find people for any local group meeting. You can meet a lot of really cool people here.

Squidoo can be a lot of fun to play with and add info. I would recommend using it to create a basis for your group and to have an "about" and "contact" section. Use it as a website for people go to to find out more about your group.

Also be sure to use social media to get people interested.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

 

[faceman]

Lolomaddy sums it up well. Keep meeting and practicing as often as you can and most importantly have fun with it! Try not to be hard on yourselves either on, particularly in the early stages.