Meet your Improv Road Show November Host...David Wappel!
Short form, improvisational sketch comedy at its best! "Improv Road Show" is an Atlanta-based comedy troupe performing all over town - from local theaters to community parties to corporate events - creating on-the-spot, live comic scenes incorporating your audience suggestions. If you like "Who's Line Is It, Anyway?", you'll love "Improv Road Show".
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Thursday, October 9, 2014
My Take (Chris Whyte) - Always Learning
Learning Improv has changed my life immensely, and I'm always looking for podcasts, videos, and articles about it. Below are some of my favorites:
Andy Daly:
My favorite improviser! There are so many things to like about this guy, but what is most impressive is how he can be put into any situation and keep it grounded. By the end of a show you believe everything he just told you, no matter how ridiculous it is. Below are my two of my favorite Comedy Bang Bang episodes that showcase his talent.
Andi Callahan: LINK here
Dip Didda Dip Dow: LINK here
Improv Obsession:
This guy interviews a ton of professional improvisers in Los Angeles. My favorite is his interview with Miles Stroth and Lennon Parham. Miles especially provides a lot of great notes that you have to pause the podcast to really let sink in. One of the most poignant notes is when he says that if you are stuck in a scene, it's because you don't know your character. From knowing your character, everything else flows: You know how you would react and what this character would do in this situation. Lennon is another great character actress that always catches you by surprise.
Miles Stroth: LINK here
Lennon Parham: LINK here
Dierkis and Fernie
These short five minute clips of Dominic Dierkis and Alex Fernie are highlights from their Cagematch at UCB LA. Really fast tag out runs that show how fun improv is.
Dominic & Alex LINK 1 here
Dominic & Alex LINK 2 here
Derrick Comedy
Comedy sketch group with familiar faces and awesome connections: LINK here
Convoy
A great 20 minute long form set from a cohesive LA-based improv group: LINK here
Enjoy these and I'll be back with some other useful resources...in the future!
--- Chris Whyte
SHOW - October "Ghosts, Ghouls, and Giggles: The Halloween Show"
Meet your Improv Road Show October Host...Laura!
"Hi! I'm Laura! I love smiling, improv, my dog Murphy, and making you laugh! I can't wait to host you at our show on Tuesday!!!"
Thursday, September 4, 2014
My Take (Sue Doe Nimm) - Local Man Not Completely Onboard With Name of Improv Group
ATLANTA—Toward the close of “ADHD TV’s” inaugural workshop, 38-year-old assistant IT professional Marvin Vernowitz revealed that he is, after careful consideration, not completely onboard with the name of the new group. “First impressions count for a lot, especially in the improv scene,” Vernowitz said, comparing the experience of hearing a group name for the first time to the initial conversations he has had when vetting interns for his manager. “Look,” Vernowitz continued, “I may not be some comedy guru like Billy Crystal or the Dane what’s-his-name, but I’ve met a hell of a lot of people and I know that a name says a lot about a person. It only makes sense that the same thing could apply to a group.”
Stating that audiences today want “a name that grabs and challenges you”, Vernowitz again requested a vote on the name “Dopplegangbanger”. Vernowitz went on to note the virile and winning qualities of names like Vanessa and Jeremy, which he contrasted to the disingenuous, untrustworthy and downright chilling effects of names Dereck, Richie and Shannon.
“Don’t get me wrong,” said Vernowitz, “Dereck, you probably try really hard to be a good kid. But the rest of you – honestly – have you ever seen a Dereck with a regular sized mouth? I mean, look at that thing.” Vernowitz, who met the rest of the troupe during an improv class shortly after his divorce, explained how when he was in his twenties, he was as stupid as the rest of the troupe is today. “I’ve learned a lot,” he reiterated, before again asking Vanessa for her phone number. Vernowitz, who considers himself a natural leader, feels both protective of his troupe and aware of their faults. “We all know Richies are thieves,” said Vernowitz, taking pains to assure the group that Richie’s thievery was primarily a result of his name rather than his Puerto Rican heritage.
At last report the group’s meeting moved to Houlihan’s, where Vernowitz was repeatedly asking the server, Carla, to explain to him what exactly wasn’t hilarious about the name “West Vagina”.
- Sue Doe Nimm
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
SHOW - September "Back To School Show"
Meet your Improv Road Show September Host...Robert!
"Robert was born in the late 1970's in Tennessee. His penchant for wearing shoes forced him out of state in the late 1980's. Apparently, Alabama and Arizona don't appreciate shoes, either."
Thursday, August 7, 2014
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
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
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
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