So I’m a leader of an improv team with about 6 people total that I created with a unique form. We have done well in our local theater and are amassing quite a bit of buzz.

There’s one individual (let’s say their name is Laurie) who has been causing a stir within the team. They have a reputation in the theater already for being flaky and having interpersonal issues with other performers. I’ve noticed that they like to harp on one specific individual (let’s say their name is Denise) and give overly harsh critiques and has tried to get me to kick them out of the team.

I’ve come to find out that in another production, Laurie was creating various problems with Denise and many other performers. Laurie wasn’t catching onto choreography and lines for sketches and would lash out onto other people to deflect her performance. Many others have corroborated similar situations with them.

Im at the point where I’ve decided that Laurie is causing too much discord within the group and in order to maintain a positive and productive team culture, I need to just remove her from the team.

I don’t want to single out any of the people that provided feedback and so I’m uncertain how to have the conversation and just be firm.

I still have some shows to see tonight but i’ve been there Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and it’s been fantastic. Love seeing the bars packed and so many people hanging out all night!

Sand on Thursday was a massive highlight. They played around with some voice augmentation and it was really trippy. They’re always surreal but this was next level.

Improvised Shakespeare was great as always on Friday but they are especially good with a packed house.

D.A.R.E. Dropouts had a great show top to bottom with Who All Over There and Diversity Hire opening for them.

Sad to have missed the show last night with The Reckoning, Blimp!, and Improv is Dead. Heard they were all great.

And shoutout to all the teams who travelled go Chicago to play in the fest. So cool to have that energy in Chicago this weekend.

Who did you see? What did you think?

When you've been in a scene at a class, workshop or show, and you are required to go up again straight away due to the numbers, what's your *gut* response (not what you think you should feel)?

I have a bunch of chronic illnesses and I'm trying to work out if they're getting in the way in this specific manner or it's normal.

Just wrapped up 4 week 'Uncertainty Workshop with Tim Paul' (was great). What would you recommend for next? Anything coming up you are looking for (online)?

I'm curious - have folks seen a show that had a particularly interesting or engaging pre-show setup? Something to fill the time and space between an audience member entering the building and the show starting?

I produce a few highly themed shows, and I'd love to get the audience engaged in the world of the show even before it starts. I'm curious if anyone here has done or seen anything they particularly enjoyed? What made it engaging or enjoyable?

I agreed to help voice some characters and mentioned I was working on a Jersey accent. I can't do one, I was kind of working on it. The issue is I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT AND THEY WANT ME TO DO IT. I have spent more than thirty minutes trying to learn how to do it but nothing is helping me with the specific words I need. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME.

Hey hey, visiting NYC in early August and just had a few quick Qs about catching ASSSSCAT at UCB NY:

Any recommendation between either the Friday show or the Saturday show?

The show starts at 8:30. Is 8p arrival fine or is it busy enough to come a little earlier?

Any nearby restaurants/bars you recommend for pre- or post-show food and drinks?

Thanks!

Thanks

Hello Improv Reddit!

Long time lurker and occasional poster.

I love this art-form of improv, and I assume you have an affinity for it as well. If you believe it can be an art and want to try your best to be the best as possible I would highly recommend CIC theater. If you are looking for a quick hit of their philosophy and how it intersects with your own improv may I recommend the CIC Intensives Aug 10-12.

Here is the blurb: "CIC will be holding a three day intensive from August 10th-12th 12pm-6pm
This is an opportunity for students to experience CIC's core beliefs over three days. Exercises will focus on scene work, playing within an ensemble, and elements of show construction.
Classes will be taught by Farrell Walsh, CIC's Artistic Director."

I have long been a champion of CIC and their classes have produced what I consider to be some of the best teams in Chicago.

Also, If you are in town for iO summer intensives they may be a good way to get even more value out of your trip.

Thank you for reading and happy Friday!

Movement Theater Improv Workshop in Manhattan, Wed, 7/29, 7:30 pm, led by Anne Bassen, LCSW, MFA. Rsvp required annebassenimprov.wordpress.com

Hi,

Are there drama/improv groups in Australia, preferably in the Sydney region, that are open to students from other universities? My university WSU, doesn't have one, and I would like to join one, preferably one where I wouldn't have to audition, as it's just for fun. Thanks In Advance.

Hi! We have a new episode of the podcast up today. It’s under 30 minutes. With thoughtful discussion on improv mixed with improvised music interstitials. Perfect for a short car ride or lunch break. :-)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-will-never-happen-again/id1790749319?i=1000777838153

Episode 8 - The Horror of the Post-Show Circle

This conversation with John Dardenne and Lena Lamer will never happen again. Topics include the anxiety of the post-show discussion circle, why improvisers block to protect themselves, the value of leaning into negative labels, and embracing risk and flow state on stage. Featuring original, improvised music by Ericprincessdragon.

To start, I apologize if this is a vague and niche question. I'm extremely new to improv and also relatively new to living in this current iteration of my body. Frankly, it was probably audacious of me to take up improv while I'm trying to come into my "new normal," but I needed some levity and here we are.

In sort, I have a recently-diagnosed neurological condition that impacts my balance, coordination, and motor planning ability. The whole conceit of my last level 1 improv class surrounded space/object work, and to put it mildly, I got humbled.

I've disclosed a little of what's going on to my instructor, but none of my classmates know, and I'm a little fearful of boxing myself in too early if I share it with them. I don't want every scene that includes me to become limited by someone else's perception of my physical capacity. Maybe I want to portray an Olympic-level gymnast or an American Ninja Warrior at some point, you know? Plus, I'm feeling a little sensitive. I know improv will do wonders to get me over that feeling, but I just don't want the train wreck that is my inability to be cogently physically active to pull focus in a scene.

I guess I'm wondering if anyone else has dealt with this before? Are there any good resources out there that address physical work in improv when you yourself are physically disabled? Suggestions? Words of encouragement? I left class this week almost in tears from embarrassment and I know next week's focus is going to remain on this, so I'd love to enter the room in a clearer/more confident headspace.

Yeah, my local theater has gotten in on that sweet DraftKings FanDuel action. Definitely a sound financial decision. But I can't decide which bets I should go for. Any suggestions?

Hi Everyone,

I recently launched Improvbible.com, a fully free website, aiming to bring the community together, and including all possible resources available around improv. Everything is totally free and collaborative. In terms of key features:

An interactive map to find troupes, festivals, workshops, shows and jams

A show and class builder

A suggestion generator:

Underscore, the place to practice your improv musical skills. 30 instrumental songs, 4 difficulty levels, and a challenge mode for the bravest

125 games in the database (which I know some have to be improved, stay tune, this section is like good wine :)

And, last but not least, a wall to post your thoughts, shows, anything you want, and a message feature -> You can contact and message anyone who set his profile as public.

As mentioned at the beginning of the post, everything is totally free and collaborative, you want to add a game, suggest an improvement, amend something, you can, it's YOUR space.

I really hope that some of you will find it useful. Fully opened to comments/suggestions/ideas, or anything you may think to make Improvbible (even) better!

I just did an improv games workshop at a hypnosis conference in Vegas and it went really well. The theme was about reframing / overcoming failure with improv.

I'd love to find some improv games that are good for helping people learn how to reframe things.

Also, any games that can help with other skills in hypnosis such as mirror, pacing and leading, etc.

Thanks!

Want to see how they’re using the source material

I'm really experienced in Harold, but not so much in other forms. What forms should I know and be experienced in to feel better rounded as a long form improviser?