Showing category "Ensemble" (Show all posts)

Welcome to Improv 101

Posted by Ben Swoboda on Sunday, July 20, 2014, In : Ensemble

Improv is not just about a team. It's about these quivering globs of potential we call "people" which come together and react to each other. Over time, these globs learn more about each other and their reactions become potent. But what about the first time they come together? You know, when they cross the space between "individual glob" and "team of globs" for the first time and they have to (gulp) learn to interact with the other globs. You just want to nudge that little glob forward, don't ...
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A Community of Improv - Thank you!

Posted by Ben Swoboda on Monday, March 28, 2011, In : Ensemble

We're in the home stretch towards SLIC Fest...

As we been plugging away at SLIC Fest, we have been impressed by the people who have offered their unsolicited assistance. This is wonderful for these reasons:

A) One of the goals of SLIC Fest has been to contribute to and bolster the St. Louis improv community. So having people other than us so such interest was a big deal.

B) We learned a little more about what is going on around town.

C) It's always heartwarming to see people get excited about a ...
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Formatting A Shortform Show - Part 2

Posted by Ben Swoboda on Saturday, February 19, 2011, In : Ensemble

So, you want to know what a Shortform Show will look like to the audience? Here are some basic components. The order and timing of these should be jotted down and walked out, from point to point, well before the first performance by all the performers. You cannot possibly assume every contingency just by using paper. You need to feel out the issues in real space.

Preshow
- Call Time?
- Warmups?
-Presets: What items need to be where? Pens? Paper? Whiteboards? Erasers?
- Preshow: What will the audie...
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Formatting a Shortform Show - Part 1

Posted by Ben Swoboda on Sunday, January 30, 2011, In : Ensemble

So you want to put together a shortform show? Here's a list of questions that should help you get going.

Practical Issues:

What is the budget?
Is this a one-time event or are you hoping to turn this into a regular performance?
Do you have a space and the agreements to support that?
How many audience members can the space seat?
Are you charging for tickets?
Are you getting money for charity?
Who will sponsors or patrons be writing checks to?
How will you market and publicize?
How many performers?
Uni...

Basics for Starting an Improv Team

Posted by Ben Swoboda on Friday, November 12, 2010, In : Ensemble

by Andy Sloey:

So you want to start your very own improv team - the first question is usually "Who's gonna be on it?" The answer is deceptively simple - the best people to have on your team are those who you find interesting. People who make you laugh. People who you genuinely enjoy being around. Your friends!

Improv is built on play, and just like in childhood, we're best suited playing with our friends. Don't have any friends in your local improv community? Make some! Take a class...