Why I’m Such a Hard-Ass About Improv0
Posted In Blog
A lot of people, including many improvisers, seem to think that improv is low-effort theatre. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.
I’ve just wrapped up the openings for 3 different pieces I directed: a sketch show, a play reading, and an improvised form, and by far, I was the hardest on the cast of the improv show. The show, River Lethe, is a full-hour improvised piece based on the malleability of memory, and has a lot of recurring elements that morph throughout the show. (It runs on Saturday at 8pm at Emerald City theater. Check out www.theatremomentum.com for more.)
I am a lengthy note taker when I direct, I generally go through one or two notepads through the course of any show. For plays or sketch shows, it’s line notes, or blocking changes. For improv shows, it’s a furious combination of curse words, absurd praise, and pleas that line my yellow legal pad. And it’s not because the improvisers aren’t good, in fact, this cast is top-notch. Which only gives me license to be harder on them.
Recent notes from a run-through:
- Shetland Pony: LOVE IT, aren’t all these animals imaginary anyway? BRING IT OUT OF HIS CHEST.
- It’s not about the door.
- Throw something unexpected and catch up to it later.
- Apathy is never a choice. Ever.
- What’s the metaphor?
- Seriously, it’s not about the door.
- Give and take, bust mostly take.
- F— those other guys. Take care of yourself first.
- Chest rub ++
- Move to her and for God’s sake, touch her, react, then you can poke the bear.
- IT’S REALLY NOT ABOUT THE DOOR, PEOPLE.
- The “soul badger” is great, but it’s when your fingers twitch that I really get excited.
The thing with improv is, it’s always wonderfully different, and it’s also wonderfully terrifying to direct, because the notes aren’t going to come back up again the next night. My notes, if not about the mechanics of the form, are always about pushing the actors to simply react to what their partner gives them (which makes things so much easier than inventing) and after that, about giving them license to set their own challenges. As an audience, I get really excited to see actors taking bold chances and connecting with each other to make sense of it all. This cast has totally excited me. You should come see their work.
River Lethe
Saturdays, 8 PM, June 19-July 31 (no performance July 3)
FREE
Emerald City Theatre School (2933 N Southport Ave)
