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Improv festival thoughts

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

A TimeOut Chicago blog entry from yesterday mentions a few people you may know. . .

Chicago Improv Festival: Ghost Town ‘09
Posted in Comedy by Jason Heidemann on April 20th, 2009 at 4:24 pm

In the same way that Ebenezer Scrooge can’t bear the sight of his younger self in Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, I felt haunted by the ghost of improv past at this year’s Chicago Improv Festival. On Saturday night, for example, I was buying gum at the Walgreen’s on the corner of Belmont and Broadway, when, who should I see hobbling in front of me on crutches, but David Razowsky, stellar improviser and ensemble member for the very first improvised show I ever saw (Second City’s U-raq, I Break, also starring Amy Sedaris, Ken Campbell and Jackie Hoffman) way back in 1991. Was that really 18 years ago, I wondered? Seconds later, I’m turning the corner and who should pass me but former Chicago improviser Kevin Dorff—writer for Late Night With Conan O’Brien and recently starring in Adult Swim’s oddball mafia comedy Delocated.

But therein lies part of the joy of the Chicago Improv Festival. Over the course of seven days, the city’s current crop of talent collides with the legends, and the whole shebang is augmented by the out-of-town troupes who wash up on the shores of Lake Michigan and prove that improv isn’t exclusive to the city of big shoulders. In truth, I didn’t see as many shows as I would have liked. A packed work week meant that I was constantly ping-ponging between the fest and other obligations. I managed a half a dozen or so shows over the weekend.

The late-night main stage program on Friday night was Boom Chicago Alumni paired with Oui Be Negroes. I was disappointed with the Oui Be Negroes show. I was expecting a fast-paced half hour of pointed political satire that poked fun at racial tensions in America, but this was only ever hinted at and mostly the material was ho-hum. Boom Chicago, an Amsterdam-based troupe that I managed to catch while visiting the Netherlands back in 1995, trotted out Ike Barinholtz and Jordan Peele for this reunion show. Noteworthy Chicagoans like Dave Asher and Joe Canale, among others, were similarly in attendance. This game-prov-laden show was a joy. While it was admittedly high on zingers and low on substance, that was just fine considering its late-night time slot. In one memorable instance, Peele and Canale started a scene based on the audience one-liner, “I masturbated to you today.” Typically, sex-based suggestions are the worst, but Peele and Canale cleverly turned it into a raunchy exchange between President Obama and Keith Olbermann (you can probably figure out who was masturbating to whom).

On Saturday, I managed to see Pimprov coupled with L.A.-based Doubtful Guests as well as Canada’s Impromptu Splendor! Pimprov was in fine form and it nailed the political satire I was hoping for in Oui Be Negroes, although I do have to admit that these guys are such talented improvisers and comics that they can probably stand to drop the pimp gimmick. As a coworker of mine pointed out, wasn’t the whole pimp thing trendy, like, six years ago? Still, Marz Timms was in fine form and led the troupe through some totally funny bits. The Doubtful Guests were nimble, exhilarating and totally strange. Admittedly, brainy long-form like this probably shouldn’t be slated for a late-night slot, but these Victorian-era troublemakers possess a formidable know-how of the craft. Watching former Chicago improviser Todd Stashwick pantomime loading a 19th-century rifle and blowing his brains out was mesmerizing.

Impromptu Splendor! totally caught me off guard and turned out to be the real winner of the weekend. Unlike most American improv troupes that leap out onto the stage—energy level cranked well past Red Bull levels—in an attempt to whip the audience into a frenzy, this Toronto-based troupe politely walked out and explained that they are an experimental improv group that performs fully improvised one-act plays each week based on a different playwright. When they revealed that they’d chosen contemporary French-Canadian playwright Michel Trembly as their playwright du jour, I admit I initially felt ripped off. What?! Who the fuck is that? The whole joy in this form of improv is that we audience members get to watch how cleverly the troupe apes a known playwright’s style. What good is it if you pick someone obscure to most Americans? But they totally won me over. Equal parts funny and tragic, and aided with the help of improv legend Joe Flaherty, these guys proved themselves to be brave, brainy and incredibly agile. Plus, they instantly moved Trembly to the top of my reading list.

One regret is that I didn’t get to see enough young troupes (If you did, please leave your comments here; I’d love to hear them). My other lament is that crowds weren’t more robust. I don’t think any of the Lakeshore shows I saw were sold out, and my feeling was that audiences tended toward industry insiders. But as long as the CIF is a place where I can find the ghosts of Chicago’s comedy past, present and future all in one place, I know I’ll keep coming back.

Direct link: http://www3.timeoutny.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/2009/04/chicago-improv-festival-ghost-town-09/

Posted in Chicago, Chicago Improv Festival, Improv, Pimprov | 1 Comment »

Cornwallis en francais

Wednesday, August 20th, 2008

Last month, CIC team Cornwallis was joined in rehearsal by Ian, a young man from Paris in town to take a Second City intensive and explore all things improvisational. Ian is a founding member of the only Harold team in Paris, Eux, and a passionate student of improv. He maintains a wonderful blog about improvisation, including a travelogue of his recent journey to North America, which can be read here.

As for Ian’s take on rehearsing with Cornwallis… well, that blog entry was in French, a language I do not speak, but I think this partial babelfish translation of the experience about sums it up. Try to guess which “heating” (warm-up) he’s referring to:

“I could discover new exercises, like the heating where each one made a small scene with its fingers: it is ridiculous, but that starts energy with good mood.”

Posted in Cornwallis, Improv, eux | 2 Comments »

Improv Connections

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

by Jill of Cornwallis

I believe it was Del Close who said that the characters you play are loosely draped over you like a trench coat. It’s true, when you’re on stage you get to play the best (and sometimes worst) versions of yourself. Yesterday I received a Missed Connection from someone who was at one of two shows Cornwallis did at the Theater on Saturday (if you’re not familiar with Missed Connections, they’re a sort of anonymous personal ads people post on Craig’s List or in the Reader if they want to try and get in touch with a stranger they had an encounter with. You can see mine here.)

This Missed Connection made me think about the characters I had played in each of the shows, and wonder which one this person may have felt some sort of bond with. Was it the Doctor dealing with an extreme OCD patient? The anorexic woman that was bench-pressed to death by her friend? The co-ed who played Twister? How much of my real self and my true personality came through these performances? Would this person be disappointed once they met me? I admit there have been times in the past where I have been disheartened after identifying with a character in a play or improv show, and then discovering that the actor who portrayed him/her was completely different in real life.

Improv itself is about making connections. We make connections with our teammates and within the piece we create. We make connections with the audience when we ask for a suggestion and as we perform for them. In a way, this “Missed Connection” isn’t “Missed” at all. It’s a “Hyper Connection” because this person felt such a correlation to us. I was happy to think that the Craig’s List post means we were doing our job, and did it well. And that isn’t disappointing at all.

PS To the person who posted the Missed Connection — Thank you very much, I’m very flattered. Also, thank you for coming to the show.

photo by Lina Bunte (also of Cornwallis)

Posted in Cornwallis, Improv, craigslist, missed connections | 1 Comment »

Improv City Volume IV

Wednesday, October 17th, 2007

by Jay Gish

Dedicated to Dave Whalley, who is grounded.

Posted in Comedy, Fun, Fun Stuff, Improv, Improv City, Links | 1 Comment »

Things Not to do at an Audition.

Wednesday, June 27th, 2007

This past week CIC held Auditions for our upcoming show “The Book of Liz” set to open on Aug 29 and run through Sept 30. Angie McMahon was holding the auditions and here is her account of somethings NOT to do at Auditions. These are real things people did this week, but names will be kept out of it.

1. Don’t show up in a “What Would Satan Do?” T-Shirt. I realize we are called “Chemically Imbalanced Comedy” but show us how funny you are with your actions and not your T-shirt. I am all for being casual but you cloths (especially with words on them) are some insite on your personality. My guess is I would feel similarly if someone came in with a “What would Jesus Do” T-Shirt. For me it just feels like that is info for the second or Third Date. After we like each other and know each other a bit more.

2. Don’t read pornographic poems as your monologues. I am all about doing stories from books, movies, poems. But at least memorize it. Also think of your audience. When you do a poem about mutilating the womens vagina and there is a women who is Directing and Casting think that it may not be the best choice. I think dirty jokes are funny for the most part, but this show is pretty far away from being dirty so It is also not something I am looking for. And I don’t like to hear about cutting a women’s Vagina. Period.

3. Ventriloquist Dummies are Funny but unless you have been asked to prepare a Variety act for your auditions I would suggest not bringing them out.

4. I think props are ok BUT ask yourself why must I have this prop. Will it help to clarify a joke that will be lost on a space object? For instance if I feel it is very important to have sunglasses but felt I should mime the cigarette. Personally I don’t think either are necessary.

5. If you are doing a monologue about how you want to FUCK the person you are talking to I would suggest not delivering that directly to the person you are auditioning for. I would further suggest not to deliver that 3 inches from there face. (on a side note I love being told I am pretty and attractive, ask anyone, but it made me uncomfortable beyond explanation)

In closing, I would say don’t sweat it baby. Maybe write something if you can’t find something you like. Or ask someone you trust to help you with it. But learn from this. We will have auditions again in the winter. I hope to see you there. Angie

Posted in Casting, Chicago, Comedy, Fun, Fun Stuff, Improv, Links, Stories | 1 Comment »

Lakeshore Theater Gets Bad Review

Thursday, May 24th, 2007

Lakeshore Theater is proud to present Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s hit show Bad Review

Recently Chemically Imbalanced Comedy performed our show “Bad Review” as part of the Downtown festival Looptopia on May 11 at the Chase Auditorium. We were told that over 100 people got turned away from the show and were not able to view it because it was sold out. So CIC has partnered with The Lakeshore Theater to present an Encore Presentation of “Bad Review” for only $5 for all those folks who were unable to attend the show, as well as those who did attend and would like to come again!

“Bad Review” takes the worst Review from the Chicago Reader and we Improvise the show we feel the Critic would have rather seen.

Here is what the Press says about Bad Review:

The Chicago Reader Review: Each week this Chemically Imbalanced Comedy team selects a disparaging theater review from the latest Reader and performs an hour-long improvisation of “the show we feel the critic would have rather seen.” When I went, they read aloud Zac Thompson’s review of Invasion of the Minnesota Normals (which he said “tries to make a case for individuality without exhibiting any”), then acted out a 50s-sitcom version in which clean-cut citizens revolt against normalcy by smoking, embracing homosexuality, and eventually killing. The cast fixated on easy pop references, but the sarcasm was thick and zany. Director Angela McMahon crafts a truly professional improv production, with efficient blackouts, precise lighting, timely and clever musical touches, and a perky pace.
–Ryan Hubbard Highly Recommended

“Critic’s Pick”-Timeout Chicago

“Best Bet”- Chicago Redeye

“Bad Review” has performed at the LA Improv Festival, Toronto Improv Festival, Donny’s Skybox in Pipers Alley, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s ENCORE shows, and a guest night at The Annoyance Theater.

“We are so excited to be able to do this show for our loyal fans and the folks who really wanted to see it but were turned away,” says Angie McMahon creator and Director of “Bad Review”

To check out online clips of past shows log on to www.myspace.com/badreview

Lakeshore Theater 3175 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60657
Box Office 773-472-3492
Friday June 15 @ 10:30pm
$5

For your enjoyment here is a Bad Review Montage taking suggestions:

Montage

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Posted in Announcement, Bad Review, Chicago Reader, Improv, Looptopia | 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