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Archive for the ‘Cornservatory’ Category

High School Student Review

Saturday, December 8th, 2007

On our last night at the Cornservatory a High School Student named Theresa attended our show and wrote a paper on her experience. Here is what she had to say:

At the Cornservatory in Chicago, every Saturday night at 10:30p.m., three random and local improvisational groups and a stand-up comedian showed what they had to offer in the Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s Saturday Night Showcase. Although the show will not take place any longer at their beloved Cornservatory, there is no doubt that the show will still have its audience dying of laughter at its new home at their very own Chemically Imbalanced Theater in Chicago.

The Cornservatory itself is a quaint little theater, no larger than two classrooms put together, but in a good way. It fits about 50 people who are just there to have fun. One cannot miss this theater at all; there is a large sign reading “The Cornservatory” in funny print. But there also happens to be an oversized painting of fresh corn on the paint-chipped front door, giving audience members a chuckle even before the show started. Inside, there is a little front area with a desk where people, most likely some improv group members, working to help people get seated and make sure they bought a ticket. These people, including Angie McMahon and Mike Devine of the troupe 96 Decibels, were kind enough to give us money back when half of our original party of four could not attend. Past the curtain separating the stage and the front area, there are some rows of cushioned metal movie theater chairs and a little three-tiered stage with only two chairs on it. The walls were mostly painted black save for one, painted white with individual blue snowflakes, which can be covered if necessary. Another prop could be a mini-wall painted very curiously, with blocks of red, yellow, blue and green in some order placed in the center of each side. Many of the people who filed in past that wall, yet did not fill all fifty seats or so, were in their twenties and were acquaintances of the comedians or just friends in general who looked like they were there before instantly took a seat and opened up some pop most likely bought at the Jewel nearby. It was a very friendly atmosphere, for many people were just there for laughs, and I was instantly comfortable.

The show started out with a brief description by Angie of where the bathrooms were (in the back) and how we should not run onto the stage if there was a fire. She then introduced Robert Bucemi, the stand-up comedian who was to host that night. A very funny and talented man, Robert had very good jokes that made the room echo with laughter, including his jingle for a breakfast cereal called “Blueberry Morning.” He also had a joke saying everyone looked the same age, which was a compliment for my aunt and me. My aunt happens to be in her forties and I was the youngest person there (the show is not recommended for anyone under 13) and we were sitting in the second row with the first row empty at that time. He described how he met a girl on MapQuest and also read us his poem entitled “Love is a Fat, Crushing Bear.” Afterwards three improv groups preformed, including ClubGroupTeam, Bust, and 96 Decibels. Each took a suggestion from the audience and incorporated it easily with skits from the top of their heads. Some comments included “fur” and “buttsmoke.” Somehow, they got it to work.

The best part of the show was definitely the last group to perform, 96 Decibels, including Angie and Mike as stated earlier, along with Tom McMahon, Jay Gish, and, according to their website, www.cicomedy.com, Dave Walley, who I believe I did not see that night. They were the group given the suggestion “buttsmoke” and they had transformed it into a story about a butcher who smoked butts and a bar owner who did not like cigarette butt smoke, a mayor of a town, a girl who works at a bar. The mayor visits the bar to see the girl who works there and decides to fill up his own mug and he eventually gets drunk as leaves. He quickly comes back, saying he hit a man with his car. So the butcher, who was at the bar the whole time, goes out to take a look and comes back saying that the mayor was so drunk he didn’t realize it was a cat, and that he hit it with is bicycle. Thinking that there would be no political fallout, the mayor is relieved, that is, until he is sued by the owner of the cat as well as all the other cat-ladies in town. The debacle continues from there. Let me just say there is a duel, a death, and polish sausages. This group was really talented and interesting to listen to. They came up with different twists in their story to try to make the others fumble and it was hilarious to watch.

By the end of the show, I hadn’t realized that it was already past midnight. I was still laughing about all the jokes until three in the morning until I fell asleep, dead tired. After seeing this show I was amazed at the fact I never tried it out before and I am definitely going again, maybe even to some of their plays, at their new theater. It was an awesome show and I have a lot of memories from it that are absolutely wonderful. It also helped me feel more connected to the people around me including my aunt and I was really happy about that. The show was definitely something different than “Whose Line”, which I thought it would be like. Unlike the television show, I had no doubts about that the show was not practiced for and there were no hoe-downs. Improv, especially at the Cornservatory, really brings people together and makes them laugh and relieve stress. Especially in a world today that is constricted by negativity, it is important to just have a good laugh one in a while. The Saturday Night Showcase helps with the laughter a lot. It’s nice to just kick back, relax, and laugh with complete strangers who share the same sense of humor that you do.

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I’m going to miss the Cornservatory.

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007

by Sarah Borer

There. I said it.

I’m not going to miss that dead animal stench that you could sometimes smell when you walked back to the bathrooms (it came from somewhere underneath the seats, I’m not sure what it is and I really don’t want to know). I’m not going to miss the lavender (or whatever color they had decided on for the month) stage. I’m not going to miss having to work around someone else’s schedule. I’m not going to miss the extremely hot summers. I’m not going to miss the stairs leading down into the basement that I am still surprised I never fell down. I’m not going to miss the corn stalks painted on the outside of the building (although it did make it easier to give directions). I’m not going to miss the brief moment of panic that I felt every night after locking up, thinking that I’d forgotten to turn off a light or restock the toilet paper or unplug the lightboard.

So what the hell am I going to miss?

It’s been over 3 years now since I first stepped into that theater as a stage manager. And I’ve spent way too much time in it since then – I know every inch of that space. I got used to the creaks, the smells, the green couch in the lobby. I’ve worked in other theaters, but the Cornservatory was always home.

And at the same time it wasn’t home. There were times when we were treated like family (the New Year’s Eve show won’t be quite the same without the Corn people), but other times we were simply treated like tenants – which is what we were. Which I had a tendency to forget, until we would inevitably get a stern talking to for forgetting something. Or when one of the improv groups would throw a chair at the wall and take a big chunk of plaster out.

I was comfortable there, but it wasn’t ours.

And now… Finally. FINALLY. We have our own space. Our own home. Chemically Imbalanced Theater.

I have to get used to a whole new set of creaks (no weird smells yet… there was something last night in the lobby, but I think that was just the remnants of a fart).

I have a new set of stairs down to the basement that I have to worry about, but I’ve always had issues with stairs.

And our light booth kinda sucks. But now that I think about it, I’ve only worked in one light booth that doesn’t (this may be its own blog… why theater companies hate the people in the booth).

And I will probably still have that brief moment of panic whenever I lock up, thinking that I’d forgotten to turn off a light or restock the toilet paper or unplug the lightboard. But that’s just me.

No more working around another company’s schedule. Or color scheme. We’ve got our own place with its own quirks. We’ve got our home.

Posted in Cornservatory | 1 Comment »

If a Shoe Drops in a Forest and No one hears it…

Wednesday, August 15th, 2007

So we are about two weeks away from our Technical Rehearsals for “The Book of Liz” and so far the show process has been flawless. So far we have pre-sold 182 tickets for the run (being three weeks out that is a very big deal), We have sold lots of playbill ads, and we have gotten some awesome sponsors for the show. My production staff has been amazing, and the cast is outstanding. I have been waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Yesterday was our first hiccup in the process and I thought I would share it with our blog readers. The Amazing and Talented Suzanne Sole originally cast to play the role of Oxana in our production called me with news yesterday. She was cast in the National Tour of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and will have to drop the show. Now there is NO WAY she should turn this job down. It is big money and a wonderful opportunity that only most of us dream about getting. Of course I have many feelings about this. 1. How totally awesome is it that CIC is attracting this level of talent to audition and be in our shows. 2. Why or Why don’t we have money so we could keep such wonderful and talented people. 3. Why or Why can’t I come up with a stronger Kool Aid Recipe.

The upside is we have had an understudy in place for every role for just such a situation (partly because I know I can’t ask the world of people when they are doing this for free and shear love, part of it is cause so far we have not done a show where an understudy did not go in). And her understudy is awesome. (Wow if I say awesome or totally one more time I will have to shoot myself in the face). And a company member is going to step into the understudy position, (another amazing performer BTW). So as far as talent goes I am covered. And we are far enough out right now that we can recover nicely.

Of course Suzanne is on the poster, in the Press Pictures, and on our Youtube Teaser. But it is just the little part we get to keep of her from this production. She is already missed and I am blessed to ever have crossed her path.

Our Video can be seen here:

It was filmed by the Amazing and Talented Matt Hendricks. I can’t believe how lucky I am to be surrounded by such talent.

Posted in Book of Liz, Casting, Comedy, Company Members, Cornservatory, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Links, Mr. Marmalade, Sedaris, Stories, Summer Vacation, Video | No Comments »

You could Sponsor Comedy!

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

I am having a hard time finding a blog for today so I am gonna do a bit of business.

The following is how you can Sponsor Snubfest.

Description and history of the event or activity to be sponsored.

Mission:
Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (CIC) is an organization of artists from the Chicago area and beyond, dedicated to providing performance opportunities for comedic artists. CIC supports the vision of talented writers, directors and performers, and is committed to producing new and previously produced works while also providing a venue for stand-up and improvisational comedy. Through the diversification of our projects and the cross-pollination of artists across multiple disciplines, we look to expand the horizons of our audiences and educate them in the various comedic styles.

History:
For seven years CIC has been a leader in the underground movement to cultivate Chicago comedy for the masses, creating a unique performance environment that includes every aspect of comedy. Throughout that time our weekly showcase has highlighted sketch, improvisation and stand-up comedy giving our audience the opportunity to experience multiple forms of comedy in one evening. The showcase also provides artists with a professional environment in which to perform that includes a production staff and promotions at no cost to the artist. CIC also produces and performs multiple comedic plays per season, both original and previously produced

It is this mixture of the various forms of comedy that makes CIC unique. Gaps between the various styles of comedy are bridged for performer and audience member alike. Performers from within CIC’s ranks and from the community at large have the rare opportunity to stretch their talents across multiple forms of entertainment in a nurturing environment while audiences are challenged to expand their horizons and educated in forms of comedy they may be less familiar with.

Event:
As part of our mission to create performance opportunities we initiated Snubfest, a new breed of comedy festival held in Chicago. In January 2008 the fourth annual Snubfest will continue to provide a venue for artists who have been rejected from other festivals. Sketch, improvisation and stand-up performers also have the chance to compete for performance slots in major comedy festivals throughout the country. Giving an entrance opportunity to up and coming artists who have talent but have not been able to connect with these larger institutions. This festival also empowers the performers to believe in their abilities and push forward to achieve their goals in comedy.

CIC partnered with New York Underground Comedy Festival, LA Improv Festival, Twincites Improv Festival, Phoenix Improv Festival, and Lowell Comedy Festival to provide performance opportunities in our annual Snubfest comedy festival. We also partnered with online content provider ComedyNet.com to produce and release performance clips from the festival on their website, providing greater exposure for participating artists. Press from TimeOut Chicago and the Chicago Reader participated in Snubfest and representatives from Zanies Comedy Club, The Improv Comedy Club and Lincoln Lodge scouted talent at the event, giving access to publications and talent bookers that many of the performers would not have had otherwise.

Why Your Company should sponsor this event or activity.

We feel this is a great opportunity to associate your brand with the exciting visceral experience only a live event like this can offer. People love to cheer for the underdog, and they love to laugh. Associating your brand with that feeling will keep your name on the front of your core demographics minds.

We are excited about our 2008 Festival because we are partnering with New Media Comedy (www.newmediacomedy.com) to be our online content producer. New Media Comedy is lead by the Producers of the New York Underground Comedy Festival. Set to launch in September there cornerstone productions will include the over 400 shows New York Underground Produces each year. We are very excited to be included in the mix of such National Talent that they attract. It also gives us a unique opportunity for our sponsors to hang a banner behind our performers to be seen in the online broadcast through out the year.

Sponsorship levels available (e.g., exclusive, presenting, etc.), including a list of title or other major partners if applicable.

Current Sponsors:
www.NewMediaComedy.com (Official Sponsor)online content Producers

New York Underground Comedy Festival (Sponsor) Performance Slot Provider

Phoenix Improv Festival (Sponsor) Performance Slot Provider

Seattle Improv Festival (Sponsor) Performance Slot Provider

Corn Productions (Sponsor) Location Provider

Chemically Imbalanced Comedy(Presenting Sponsor)

Sponsorship Levels Available:
$5,000 – Presenting Sponsor

As a Presenting Sponsor of SnubFest 2007, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s 3rd annual comedy festival, your company will receive the following benefits:

Sponsor Recognition and Publicity
• Attribution in all promotional materials and signage as Presenting Sponsor.
• Special live acknowledgements by host during the event.
• Rights to utilize SnubFest 2007 event name promoting your support of the event.
• Inclusion in all press releases and media alerts.
• Complimentary full-page advertisement in event program distributed to all attendees.
• Inclusion in direct mailing materials
• Complimentary full-page advertisement in CIC’s Season program distributed to all attendees at all CIC Main Stage Shows through out the year.
• Walk on Role in an Improv Scene with CIC performers during a Snubfest Timewaster to be given to person of Presenting Sponsors choice.

Tickets and Hospitality
• Ten (10) complimentary all Festival Passes SnubFest 2007.
• Ten (10) complimentary tickets to the SnubFest 2007 Party, which will be held on Friday, January