Start an improv troupe

The book “Truth in Comedy” has been a great inspiration. The ImprovOlympic group in Chicago which helped train some of our best comedians used longer improv skits with the “Harold” game – which we just started to play with last week and I hope this coming week we can do a full one. The group is really improving and advancing. I’m not sure we’re a troupe quite yet, but it feels very close. Once we get bonded enough to accept a name – I think I will mark this complete. It’s been a long time aiming for this goal. Feels good to be getting close.

Last Sunday we had 9 people playing improv games and creating scenes. If we keep going a little longer – get a core group of committed improvisers, I’ll consider this one accomplished. Next step, hold a performance.

After two years since the last attempt – it’s amazing how quickly time can fly – I held another session. It went amazingly well. There were only four of us, but the session went great. And next week I think we have a secure seven which would be enough to make a performance. This time I had a board member in the group as well, and one of the improvisers had been asking me for over a year to get this started again – so she was motivated. We’re planning to meet again on Sunday. This time I’m not really making it open, but am focusing on personal invitations – and I’m not putting pressure on myself to create a class which makes me have to perform as the teacher. If instead it’s some people coming together to create some scenes and play some improv games – it means there’s a little less pressure on me to make the improv happen, and more responsibility on the other improvisers to have a successful process.

Teaching the six boys seems to have led to a volunteer gig at a local school for gifted talented children. I’m daunted and also excited to get the chance to work with over fourty kids. I’ve wanted children, now suddenly, at some level, I have quite a passel. This wasn’t my picture of the improv troup I had in my head, but it’s pretty awesome.

A parent invited me to help a group of six boys learn improv so they can compete in Destination Imagination. I had a blast and got to play Kitty Wants a Corner, Anyone Who, LA Freeze Tag, and more. Looks like I might even get a chance to teach a group at a school. It’s not yet a “troupe”, but it’s motion in the right direction.

I made it into a professional group in Minneapolis. I psyched about it. I will be getting paid. Yay for Improv.

Opening a theater in March…the improv troupe has already performed 4 times at various locations.

http://www.dramagenics.com

Wow, it’s started. Seven of us met at the theater for the first time this afternoon, I talked about my ideas for the troupe, and listened to everyones feedback. We did some improv warmups, then some games, and finally we created a bunch of scenes using LA Freeze Tag. And folks wanted to do it again, so we’ve set up a weekly schedule. No specific plans to perform yet, but it’s started. Yay!

Wohoo, I emailed in the ad, and when I called they confirmed they’d received it. I’ve confirmed at least one person will be attending, and at least seven have expressed interest. I’m getting excited, first practice July 8, first time on stage, July 22 (just for a few minutes).

I’ve asked several people and have a few people interested. I announced the improv group starting at the last board meeting of the Chantilly Theatre and received a positive response. Now it’s just time to put out the word in a big way. Getting very close!