Meet the Host - David Wappel

When David was young, he wanted to be Indiana Jones. When he found out archeology is nothing like Raiders of the Lost Ark, he decided he wanted to be a paleontologist. When he found out that's nothing like Jurassic Park, he was stuck. So he turned to telling and creating the stories he looked to as a child. Through improv, writing, film, and theater David is able to live out my fantasies of being a chimney sweep, time-traveller, Roman general or anything else that may capture his imagination.

David is a proud member of Improv Road Show, and is excited to host you for this month’s show! You can see David performing improv right here with I.R.S., and also around town as a regular player at The Basement Theatre and as part of the long form trio The Floating Cities.

My Take (David Wappel) - Spoon River

Of everything I've learned in improv, probably on 25% is directly related to performing for laughs. Here’s a little bit about the other 75%.

Spoon River is one of my favorite games. In this game, three improvisors face away from the audience, and then take turns delivering short monologues, in character, about the same event that happened in this small town. The goal is to provide interweaving stories that fit into one overall narrative. The joy of the audience is that they see three different, and often very funny, perspectives of the same event.

In improv, there is an inherently tricky relationship between one’s individual ideas, and those of the rest of the people onstage, and none explore this relationship more uniquely (in my opinion) than Spoon River. When a player delivers their monologue, it is just them on stage talking. They are delivering straight to the audience, and can’t be interrupted by other players. However, they must realize that they fit into a story with two other people, who are about to deliver their own monologues. They have to set them up for jokes or pay off ones they’ve set up.

Spoon River is a game where you, as an improvisor, are playing both the roles of the lead actor and supporting actor at the same time. You are alone in the spotlight, but still part of a team. Learning how to navigate this balance has helped me understand how to be a better team member at work, in relationships and just about everywhere.

In situations, we often take on “roles.” Sometimes we are in the fore front, other times we play a more supporting role. Learn to do both. If you’ve been getting a lot of credit at work for a project, take some time to redirect some of the praise to other team members who helped out, or put them in a position to contribute more on an upcoming project. If you’re low on the totem pole, don’t be afraid to speak up if you are given an opportunity to do so.

Walking the balance between lead and support, simultaneously, makes Spoon River an addictive game to play. Walking that balance in life however, can be so much more valuable than just a few laughs


--- David Wappel

My Take (David Wappel) - Switch Out Change Out

Of everything I've learned in improv, probably on 25% is directly related to performing for laughs. The other 75%?  Here's my take.

One of my favorite games is a game called "Switch Out, Change Out." In this four player game, two players (A & B) are in the center performing a scene. The other two players (C & D) are off in the wings. At any point, the director may call "switch!" and A & B must swap characters. If the director calls "change!" C & D must then replace A & B. It is a fast paced game, that can fall apart quickly. But not if you're listening.

If this game requires anything, it is key attentiveness to your scene partner. At any point, you can be asked to adopt their character, which means you must then exhibit their mannerisms, affections, motivations, accent…everything. You must be ready to be them. In order to do this successfully, you must be listening, and putting yourself in their shoes. Attempting to understand them, all the while you're creating your own character. When this is done well, these scenes can turn out great because not only are there inherent laughs in the constant switching, but relationships are often strong in this scene because it requires real listening. Connections are stronger.

Think about this offstage. How often do we listen? How well do we listen? If we can attempt to understand something from someone else's point of view, then we can make a truly meaningful connection. The ability to step into someone else's shoes is invaluable. It allows us to see multiple perspectives at once, reduces conflicts that may arise through misunderstanding, and gives us insight into others.

In improv, it could be the difference between a good scene and a bad scene…so not terribly high stakes. But outside of improv, being attentive to another's perspective can make a difference in some of the highest stake situations you'll experience in your life.

--- David Wappel