February 2012
3 posts
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Dramatic Improv
Warning: this is a rambly, introspective examination of my thoughts on dramatic improv. I’m writing this primarily to straighten out my brain wiggles but maybe it will be useful to someone. Maybe not. Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here.
I started out doing improv in comedy bars- Wait, scratch that. I started out doing improv at a university club, McGill Improv. Then I moved to comedy bars....
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Bilingual improv show looking for people →
Tu aimerais faire des matchs d’improvisation français-anglais? Bien voilà ta chance! Une nouvelle soirée d’impro bilingue sera disponible pour toi les mercredis soir, 20h. Nous sommes à la recherche de 16 joueurs bilingues disponibles et dynamiques avec un minimum de 5 ans d’expérience pour s’amuser avec nous… Inscriptions : Envoie ton historique d’impro...
January 2012
21 posts
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Comedy Shows: Feb. 2-4
Thu, Feb. 2, 8pm — Another Blueberry Twins Mystery
Sons of a famous inventor, the Blueberry Twins solve more riddles and mysteries at recess than most detectives do over an entire career. An improvised comedy thriller from Brent & Marc of the Bitter End. $8 or $5 with a pass. Facebook event.
Fri, Feb. 3, 8pm — Smackdown - Competitive Improv
The Friday main event. 2 teams compete...
Louis CK on how pilots are made -- usually. →
third-beat:
Deadline Hollywood reports today that a pilot written by Louis C.K. and Spike Feresten, originally conceived 13 years ago, has been dusted off and picked up by CBS.
Fun fact: before C.K. became a certified Huge Effing Deal, he contributed to comedy-related newsgroups on Usenet (remember that, kids?). He offered up info on everything from how to select the right management, to how to...
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Guest Writer: Etan Muskat (Toronto)
Etan Muskat is an actor, writer and improviser. He is a member of the improv troupe The Bitter End and co-creator of the Bitter End webseries http://thebitterend.tv.
“It’s Improv. It’s never gonna be that good.”
I heard these words come out of the mouth of a fellow improviser, during a particularly grueling post-show notes session, and it’s become something of an...
Comedy Shows: Jan 26-28
Thu, Jan. 26, 8pm — Les Enfants de Moliere
Les Enfants de Molière s’inspirent de la grande comédie française lors de chacune de leur impro. Intemporelle, ils se caractérisent entre autre par leur style d’interprétation, leur verve ainsi que le nom qu’il donne à leurs personnages! Vêtus de noir et de blanc, les Enfants de Molière entrent sur scène suivis de l’air du canon...
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Guest Writer: Rick Andrews (NYC)
Rick Andrews is a teacher and performer at The Magnet Theater in New York City. He teaches and performs around the country with The Magnet Theater TourCo, with ensemble Brick, and his duo, The Cascade.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about two words we hear a lot when improvising: “Fear” and “Trust”.
Fear
One of the biggest hurdles in becoming a good improviser is our fear. Fear and threat...
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The House That Del Built: The Four I's of Improv →
thehousethatdelbuilt:
Let’s take a moment to think about some of the improv wisdom we’ve all heard a million times before:
“Play to the height of your intelligence.”
“Don’t think.”
“Follow your instincts.”
“Play smart.”
“Don’t get in your head.”
“Check your impulses.”
Taken together, this advice…
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Teaching Interviews: Chris Gethard, Part 1 of 2
Really like that list at the top.
- vinny
improvnonsense:
This is a series in which I ask great improv teachers to write down their thoughts on teaching improv. We start with Chris Gethard, who was the second person to ever run the UCBT-NY school after Kevin Mullaney.
Gethard wrote the first full curriculum for the school, taught dozens and dozens of very popular classes at all levels and...
Comedy Shows: Jan 19 & 20
Thu, Jan. 19, 8pm — Open Stage
Exciting, Experimental and Cheap! Come be part of the experiment as performers try out new ideas for the first time on stage! ONLY $4!!! fb event
Fri, Jan. 20, 8pm — Smackdown - Competitive Improv
The Friday main event. 2 teams compete for the audience’s favour and the Smackdown trophy. Fodor’s says, “Their Friday night Smackdowns, where the...
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Guest Writer: Kristen Schier (Philadelphia)
Kristen Schier has a B.F.A. in Theater Arts from the University of the Arts and has been working in Philadelphia Pennsylvania as a professional actor, improviser and teacher for many years. She is the Artistic Director of The Philly N Crowd, which a short form improv ensemble. Kristen also teaches, directs and performs at the Philly Improv Theater. Kristen has studied clowning intensively with...
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Comedy Shows: Jan. 12-14
Thu, Jan. 12, 7pm — Off-Colour Commentary: Habs vs. Bruins
It’s very simple: two rabid Habs fans provide the commentary as the game is shown live. We’ll plan the parade route if we’re winning and start looking at the draft prospects if they’re losing. Come watch the game LIVE on our giant screen as Pat Dussault & Vinny Francois provide the brutally honest and...
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Guest Writer: Andy Eninger (Chicago)
Andy Eninger is the Head of the Writing Program at The Second City Training Center in Chicago, and performs his solo improv form “Sybil” all over the world. He will be appearing next at IMPRO International Improvisation Theatre Festival in Amsterdam in January 2012.
8 Reasons Why I Love Working With Improvisers
Over the past twenty years, I’ve worked with thousands of...
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The Differences Between Single and Multiple Camera... →
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“The students that are successful look at that challenge, wrestle with feelings...”
– The quote is talking about studying at MIT but I didn’t start getting better at improv until I took this lesson to heart.
- vinny
(via reddit)
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Comedy Shows Jan. 6 & 7
Fri, Jan. 6, 8pm — Smackdown - Competitive Improv
The Friday main event. 2 teams compete for the audience’s favour and the Smackdown trophy. Fodor’s says, “Their Friday night Smackdowns, where the audience determines the winner, are definitely good for a laugh.” (English, $8)
***SPECIAL 2 for 1 on JAN. 6TH!***
Sat, Jan. 7, 8pm — Improv Ronin
Ring in the new year with Improv...
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Guest Writer: Jeroen Van Dyck (Antwerp)
Jeroen Van Dyck has been the coordinator for the Belgian Improv League (www.bil.be) since 2007.
Hate to break the news to you guys, but I am not an improviser. I have never been on stage and do not plan to ever get on there. I work for BIL (Belgian Improv League) and my job description is basically to do everything but be on stage. So, writing for this blog was a bit daunting as I do not have real...
December 2011
20 posts
7 tags
Blink Blink Blink by Kirsten Rasmussen at Wildside...
Gang, our favourite Kirsten has a show coming up at the Centaur. If you missed it at the Fringe, this is your chance to see it. I thought it was one of the best things I saw at the Fringe this year. Do go check it out…
- vinny
Here’s the details and press notes:
Blink Blink Blink is a one woman dark comedy written and performed by Kirsten Rasmussen. Blink Blink Blink is the comedic...
“The more you know about, the more you can joke about.”
– Del Close (via slowcomedy)
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No shows until Jan 6, 2012
We bought way too much egg nog and now we have to close the theatre and drink it until it’s gone.
Next show: SMACKDOWN, Friday Jan 6, 2012 @8pm
Have a great couple of weeks! Hugs for everyone!
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Changes coming in 2012
Montreal Improv’s class structure is about to change and expand. As we’ve grown, we’ve collected a lot of feedback and made our own observations about our classes. We always want to offer the best possible experience and to make our classes as effective and fun as possible. So here’s what’s happening in 2012:
Level 1: 4 weeks, 100$
Level 2: 6 weeks, 150$
Level 3:...
Watchfunnyordie:
Drunk History Christmas with Ryan Gosling, Jim Carrey and Eva Mendes
A very special Drunk History Christmas.
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Guest Writer: Remy Bertrand (London)
Remy Bertrand runs imprology, a London-based training company and Friendly Fire, a performing group using physical, musical and verbal improvisation.
Mirrors and status, let’s all be friends.
There is a great divide in improvisation between comedy and, well… non-comedy. Lets mend the rift because we’re all brothers and sisters after all, or at least cousins, or maybe our mums...
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“People who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics....”
– Stephen Colbert http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyAw_GL237Y (via quotationinspiration)
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Watchshortmikeshort:
Louis CK responds to Tracy Morgan’s gay jokes.
Also watched the Louis CK special he released on his own site for 5$. Great deal, good show. Still need to watch Season 2 of Louie though…
- vinny
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Comedy Shows Dec. 13-17
Tue, Dec. 13, 8pm — Level 3 Graduation Show
Montreal Improv’s newest batch of Level 3 grads are taking the stage on Dec. 13th at 8pm. Come cheer on the gang and witness the thrill of the First Big Show. This is a great opportunity to see what we’re all about. (English, $5)
Jeu, 15 dec., 19h et Sam, 17 dec., 19h — Spectacle des Finissants du Niveau 4
Mettant en vedette: Julie...
Guest Writer: Caspar Schjelbred (Paris)
Caspar Schjelbred is a Dane who has made France his home. Specializing in physical comedy and drama, he is the artistic director of Paris’ The Improfessionals and the co-director of Impro Academy.
There’s a lot of shit on stage in the world of improvised theatre. Why? Because we’re trained to pay more attention to others and what goes on around us than to ourselves. We are...
Comedy Shows Dec. 9 - 10
Fri, Dec. 9, 8pm — Smackdown - Competitive Improv
The Friday main event. 2 teams compete for the audience’s favour and the Smackdown trophy. Fodor’s says, “Their Friday night Smackdowns, where the audience determines the winner, are definitely good for a laugh.” Check out our facebook page for a special deal that ends this week! (english)
Sat, Dec. 10, 8pm — Charity Fundraiser
The...
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Fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders →
Every year, we try to raise a bit of cash for a good cause and this year is no exception. Last year, we made enough to give a bunch of toys to the Montreal Children’s Hospital. This year we’re going international and raising funds for Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders Canada (MSF). They do great work going into war-torn and disaster struck areas without any agenda other...
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Guest Writer: Sean Michaels (Montreal)
Sean Michaels is a writer and improviser based in Montreal. He has been doing improv since 2000, including performances at festivals in Toronto, Ottawa, Chicago and at home - most recently as a member of the duo VENEZUELA. He founded the music-blog Said the Gramophone in 2003.
Sometimes I am at a party with improvisers, and it is late at night, and each of us has drunk ten thousand beers, and...
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NYC Improv Fest submissions are open (Mar 21-24) →
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Guest Writer: Alex Wlasenko (Victoria) re-posting →
I missed my Monday morning guest piece this week but I want to give you guys something to make up for it. Here’s my BFF Alex’s guest piece that he wrote for the blog while Marc and I were touring Europe last year. I’m retconning it into the guest series.
- vinny
November 2011
20 posts
4 tags
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Comedy Shows Dec. 1-4
Thu, Dec. 1, 8pm — The Adventure Club II
The Adventure Club is improv inspired by the spirit of excitement and exploration. The show features some of Montreal’s best and brightest improv stars: Ally Caruso, Hillary Dale, Zoe Daniels, Pat Dussault, Vinny Francois, Matt Goldberg, Dan Jeannotte, Matt Legault, Alex Seville, BJ Walsh. Directed by Brent Skagford and Marc Rowland. (english)...
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"Fercrissakes, see it!": It's Not You, It's Me →
We got a very nice review in CharPo last night for the show. There are only two shows left. Tonight, 10pm and tomorrow, 8pm. Hope to see you there.
- vinny
Kitchen Rules
improvnonsense:
This past summer, Michael Delaney sent me an email decrying the state of improv. That in itself was not unusual (Hello, Delaney!). But in this particular email he outlined what I think is a brilliant way to measure whether someone has become an advanced improviser:
1) A good improviser habitually accepts the offers made to him. 2) A good improviser habitually makes active...
Shows This Week --> Nov. 24-26
Thu Nov. 24 @8pm, Fri Nov. 25 @10pm, Sat Nov. 26 @8pm — It’s Not You, It’s Me
Support. Laughter. Intimacy. Trust. Sometimes you can’t have it all. A story from the other side of love: how it ends. Starring Dan Jeannotte & Kirsten Rasmussen.Directed by Vinny Francois. Please note: while there may be laughter, this is not a comedy. (english)
Fri, Nov. 25 @8pm —...
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Guest Writer: Kareem Badr (Austin)
Kareem Badr is an improviser and actor from Austin, TX. He is a founding member of Parallelogramophonograph, and one of the owners of The Hideout Theatre, where he performs, directs, and teaches improv.
I am in a touring improv troupe.
Wait, let me state that more accurately. I am in an improv troupe that tours occasionally.
Wait, more accurate still: I am in an improv troupe that, on occasion,...