Comments for Confessions of a Roving Imp http://creativestageworks.com Big improv in a small town Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:19:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 Comment on The Bottom Shows of 2009 by David http://creativestageworks.com/2010/01/01/the-bottom-shows-of-2009/#comment-5716 David Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:13:31 +0000 http://creativestageworks.com/2010/01/01/the-bottom-shows-of-2009/#comment-5716 I know I said this personally but I think it should be said here publicly. It's too bad the shows worth (closer to top or bottom 10) is based upon attendence. A good number of these shows were really good shows and Dictionary Soup deserves more credit than what it seems to get from attendence. I don't know, this list just depresses me because these show rankings are based upon attendence and not performance...but I'm not really business minded. I know I said this personally but I think it should be said here publicly. It’s too bad the shows worth (closer to top or bottom 10) is based upon attendence. A good number of these shows were really good shows and Dictionary Soup deserves more credit than what it seems to get from attendence.
I don’t know, this list just depresses me because these show rankings are based upon attendence and not performance…but I’m not really business minded.

]]> Comment on In the mind as you enter… by John Robison http://creativestageworks.com/2009/08/04/in-the-mind-as-you-enter/#comment-4438 John Robison Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:02:31 +0000 http://creativestageworks.com/2009/08/04/in-the-mind-as-you-enter/#comment-4438 Awesome, Scott! Shameless plug - if you come take classes at the Roving Imp, these challenges Scott describes are something we do each and every week. During the session there's a challenge from me, and at the end of the session you set a goal for yourself the next time you're on stage. I use these challenge goals before a show in general (yes, every single show - I even talk about the goals with my show-mates)... some people think about the goals on the sidelines as well, which works great for some people, and puts other people in their heads. See if it works for you... if so, you can send 10% of your future improv earnings to Scott! Awesome, Scott!

Shameless plug - if you come take classes at the Roving Imp, these challenges Scott describes are something we do each and every week. During the session there’s a challenge from me, and at the end of the session you set a goal for yourself the next time you’re on stage.

I use these challenge goals before a show in general (yes, every single show - I even talk about the goals with my show-mates)… some people think about the goals on the sidelines as well, which works great for some people, and puts other people in their heads. See if it works for you… if so, you can send 10% of your future improv earnings to Scott!

]]> Comment on In the mind as you enter… by Scott http://creativestageworks.com/2009/08/04/in-the-mind-as-you-enter/#comment-4437 Scott Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:03:51 +0000 http://creativestageworks.com/2009/08/04/in-the-mind-as-you-enter/#comment-4437 Recently, I've taken to entering the scene with a personal challenge. I've taken enough classes, goodness known read enough books, to have a laundry list of things I can improve upon, or just aspects of a scene I can toy with. So I just pick one and use it that time. If I pick different challenges each time, it makes my performance that much more dynamic. For example, last Friday at I-A's show, I used two specific challenges: 1) Play with rhythm and tempo, physically and/or verbally; 2) Play a big character far away from myself. They worked out wonderfully. One that often works out well is 'Have a complete emotional breakdown'. Yes, these all sound like excercises your director may have you try to use in a 3-line scene. Guess what? There's a reason :) If you're having trouble finding a challenge to try, ask somebody for one. I'm sure they'll oblige. Better yet, read some theory books and take notes. Yes, like actual physical hand-written notes. Like you were in a classroom trying to learn. These theory books are full of useful insights, learned experiences, and a rich history. Recently, I’ve taken to entering the scene with a personal challenge. I’ve taken enough classes, goodness known read enough books, to have a laundry list of things I can improve upon, or just aspects of a scene I can toy with. So I just pick one and use it that time. If I pick different challenges each time, it makes my performance that much more dynamic.

For example, last Friday at I-A’s show, I used two specific challenges: 1) Play with rhythm and tempo, physically and/or verbally; 2) Play a big character far away from myself. They worked out wonderfully. One that often works out well is ‘Have a complete emotional breakdown’. Yes, these all sound like excercises your director may have you try to use in a 3-line scene. Guess what? There’s a reason :)

If you’re having trouble finding a challenge to try, ask somebody for one. I’m sure they’ll oblige. Better yet, read some theory books and take notes. Yes, like actual physical hand-written notes. Like you were in a classroom trying to learn. These theory books are full of useful insights, learned experiences, and a rich history.

]]> Comment on Chicago, Pt. 2: The Top Shows by Misch http://creativestageworks.com/2009/04/27/chicago-pt-2-the-top-shows/#comment-2826 Misch Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:22:37 +0000 http://creativestageworks.com/2009/04/27/chicago-pt-2-the-top-shows/#comment-2826 Thank you so much for the positive review! Thank you so much for the positive review!

]]> Comment on Chicago 2009, Pt. 1 - the narrative by Patrick Shields http://creativestageworks.com/2009/04/23/chicago-2009-pt-1-the-narrative/#comment-1547 Patrick Shields Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:32:18 +0000 http://creativestageworks.com/2009/04/23/chicago-2009-pt-1-the-narrative/#comment-1547 Great post! I spent a few nights in Lincoln Part on my way to Keene. If you're ever interested in meeting even more cool people on vacation, try couchsurfing--staying for free with a willing host (accomodations vary.) I did a musical improv workshop at Second City when I was in Chicago and I loved it. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay there. Great post! I spent a few nights in Lincoln Part on my way to Keene. If you’re ever interested in meeting even more cool people on vacation, try couchsurfing–staying for free with a willing host (accomodations vary.)

I did a musical improv workshop at Second City when I was in Chicago and I loved it. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay there.

]]> Comment on Updates Part 2 by Nifer http://creativestageworks.com/2009/04/07/updates-part-2/#comment-1035 Nifer Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:53:43 +0000 http://creativestageworks.com/2009/04/07/updates-part-2/#comment-1035 This is quite the exciting blog! Congratulations on all the (much-deserved) success. And yay for a festival! :) This is quite the exciting blog! Congratulations on all the (much-deserved) success. And yay for a festival! :)

]]> Comment on Updates Part 2 by Patrick Shields http://creativestageworks.com/2009/04/07/updates-part-2/#comment-1026 Patrick Shields Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:35:20 +0000 http://creativestageworks.com/2009/04/07/updates-part-2/#comment-1026 Speaking of Walmart, you may be getting a call from them soon since I just interviewed with them and listed you as a reference. I'm really jealous about the scripted show. I guess I'll just have to make my own here in Keene to get that creative release. You are still setting a strong example of what's possible when you manage your energy in the correct way. Thanks for everything! Speaking of Walmart, you may be getting a call from them soon since I just interviewed with them and listed you as a reference.

I’m really jealous about the scripted show. I guess I’ll just have to make my own here in Keene to get that creative release.

You are still setting a strong example of what’s possible when you manage your energy in the correct way. Thanks for everything!

]]> Comment on RI: The First Two Years by Jenifer http://creativestageworks.com/2009/04/02/ri-the-first-two-years/#comment-949 Jenifer Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:10:16 +0000 http://creativestageworks.com/2009/04/02/ri-the-first-two-years/#comment-949 Congratulations, John and company! Congratulations, John and company!

]]> Comment on RI: The First Two Years by Patrick Shields http://creativestageworks.com/2009/04/02/ri-the-first-two-years/#comment-898 Patrick Shields Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:53:49 +0000 http://creativestageworks.com/2009/04/02/ri-the-first-two-years/#comment-898 Any plans to post videos of recent shows? I'd love to watch! Any plans to post videos of recent shows? I’d love to watch!

]]> Comment on The Bottom 10 of 2008 by Guy http://creativestageworks.com/2008/12/31/the-bottom-10-of-2008/#comment-672 Guy Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:59:53 +0000 http://creativestageworks.com/2008/12/31/the-bottom-10-of-2008/#comment-672 Have you ever seen/talked with Trish B. about the game-show inspired format On The Spot! (a.k.a. Play it by Ear)? It lives on up in Liberty, and although it didn't fare well in Westport, I think it's a good format with lots of potential - ESPECIALLY in the more general, family-friendly audience environment such as yours. I'd encourage you to pick Trish's brain about it. Have you ever seen/talked with Trish B. about the game-show inspired format On The Spot! (a.k.a. Play it by Ear)? It lives on up in Liberty, and although it didn’t fare well in Westport, I think it’s a good format with lots of potential - ESPECIALLY in the more general, family-friendly audience environment such as yours. I’d encourage you to pick Trish’s brain about it.

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