Improv

Went along to the recent auditions for The Big Hoo Haa which was an eye opener. For someone who sees themselves as a reasonably confident performer I had trouble in maintaining eye contact with anything but the sides of the stage and what's worse - I blanked. Totally. Nothing there. Panicked. Blanked some more. Half-arsed finish and retired to my seat a chastened man. It's all good - it's a learning experience, right? Trouble is I'm really interested in developing improv skills. It seems somewhat amazing that as a group, Perth community theatre does not run workshops or (dare I use the word) theatresport nights to skill up their budding performers in what can be a fairly handy skill up there on stage. I know that Kalgoorlie (whether it be Kal Rep or Stage Left) has run nights of that nature for years now. Why do we shy away from it here in Perth? Or do we? Is there some secret gathering of would-be improv performers meeting here in Perth in some dark room somewhere spinning tales out of nothing? Surely these are skills worth having as they can boost performer confidence and deal with the issue of people running "dry" onstage. I'd like to re-audition for something like the Hoo-Haa at some stage but I'd like the benefit of getting some practice in improv environments before doing so. Anyone got suggestions other than "watch Curb Your Enthusiasm" a lot?

They had auditions?

....some 40 people turned up in groups of 20 each and some of us learned a lesson in humility :) Some of the auditionees were exceptional and I was speaking with two of them Sunday and they'd been accepted which didn't surprise me 'cos they were really good. Jeff - appreciate your feedback but my posting states I was auditioning for the Hoo-Haa. I'm not aware of the Hoo-Haa actually running courses or participatory sessions for interested parties (although Jimmy James Eaton mentioned something about a secondary improv show starting in the near future)so I'm not sure that solves the problem. The Aragon workshop is interesting and Luc is an excellent actor and improvisor but it's one session - skills run rusty if not practised often. Don't get me wrong - I do appreciate your suggestions but they don't involve ongoing participatory improv. So, I come back to my original post - where does one learn the craft of improv in an environment where you can participate on a reasonably regular basis? Any theatre groups out there interested in the idea of starting improv nights between seasons along the lines of what Hoo-Haa/Thank God You're Here/Whose Line Is It Anyway? does? I'm sure we'd find some actors in Perth theatre who were interested (I can think of a number right off hand), charge a small door fee, open the bar - it could be a giggle. I think it would find an audience amongst a theatres regular patronage. It wouldn't threaten the Hoo-Haa (those guys are REALLY good) and in fact could point people interested in that sort of theatre in that direction. Anyone?...........................anyone?

tell 'em I sent ya! Ssstinger>>>

Thanks Stinger

One idea I mused over was for one theatre group to challenge another theatre to a theatre-sports competition. Say a team of 4 from one theatre versus a team of 4 from another, with interested parties from both coming along to barrack/support. That would overcome the usual problem where one single group tries to set something up alone, but has barely enough turn up to participate, let alone having anyone to watch (in which case it ends up a group of people doing weird things alone in a room, which sounds way too close to the freemasons for my liking). By pitting theatre versus theatre, you have all the pride/honour thing help push it along. For theatre tarts who flit from one theatre to the next with no great affiliation, I'm sure a bidding/poaching system akin to the cricket IPL could work. Someone far more organised and motivated than me (say, the ITA) could orchestrate it into a competition if interest was there from multiple theatre groups. jD

Getting the poor old ITA to organise it may be a stretch though as just organising Dramafest and the Finleys actually chews up a fair amount of their time during the meetings they have during the year but I'd be interested in hearing from club presidents/committee as to whether this idea may be of interest to them and I would be willing to perhaps look at developing something. Jeff and Stinger - you've already posted so I'm sure you'll check back. What say you sirs? Would Garrick and Phoenix be likely to have people interested in such a thing as Mr Lindsay suggests? I know Melville can probably be dragged in. I think its a great idea and another way of the community of theatres to get together and socialise.

Why not start one up yourself Muzz or maybe put out a notice for interested people to meet at a venue to start one up....might get more interest than you think. Just a thought Cheers Robert.

Of course Murray, if you get yourself onto the committee of your local group, you can push the idea from the inside. Melville's AGM is coming up in the new year. www.meltheco.org.au

There will be snow in Panama before that happens Jeff, methinks.

Arena has been planning a Theatre Sports Night for their annual fundraiser, the idea was to invite local community theatre groups along, to do a community theatre sports challenge. I've also toyed with the idea of starting community theatre, theatre sports nights, or adult theatre sports classes, because it lines up with what we do in 'Lost the Plot' and also I am a drama teacher, and spend most of my time running theatre sports games with kids/teenagers/adults to pay for dinner...Anyhoo, when it happens (we were thinking march next year) we'll post it on the ITA website.

I think it's a great idea. If the 'Local Govt' politics/mentality that seems to pervade the community theatre arena could be worked around and/or minimised, it could be really good fun. A great opportunity for youngin's and oldies alike to improve and sharpen their skills. I would have thought they'd be plenty of us out there who'd be happy to jump in - literally! ;)

Hi guys If anyone is on facebook keep an eye on the hoo haa page I believe regular workshops are going to be held every Tuesday for regular punters at Lazy Susans - taken by a different Hoo Haa performer each week. Also I know there is a group of people who got together and asked Sam and Damon to take them in regular classes on a thurs night if you want to send me your email I will forward it to the lady who organised it. my email is taleihm@bigpond.net.au I think 2 or 3 from that class got in. Cheers Talei

I was one of the people in the Thursday night advanced impro classes that Talei mentioned, and yes, a few people in our class (at least 4) made it into the Hoo-Haa! The classes were fantastic - I believe they'll be running another series next year; I'll make sure it gets posted on Theatre Australia. Talei I'm surprised they picked Tuesday to run workshops... Shapiro Tuesdays takes over the venue at 7.30pm, I guess they're going to be quite early and/or short! Also, if anyone's interested in free-form impro sessions, Sam Longley is starting "Impro Jam" next year. It'll be the first Sunday of every month - you just rock up, play a few games, jam for a bit and then put on a show for the public. Again, I'll make sure it gets posted on here when dates and details are sorted. I also attended a great impro workshop at the Blue Room, run by Damon Lockwood... these things pop up from time to time, they're worth keeping an eye out for. And in terms of books I really got a lot out of Impro by Keith Johnstone - highly recommend it! I think a community theatre impro battle would be awesome - it might be worth speaking to Sam to see whether he or one of the Hoo-Haa players could ref it / run coaching workshops for competing teams, or to consider holding it at Lazy Susan's? I think the Hoo-Haa crew are pretty keen to get more people into impro, and getting their support might foster a supportive impro community rather than a rivalry... just a thought; feel free to rip me to shreds ;) --- Louisa Fitzhardinge

Oh and Murray - don't beat yourself up about Hoo-Haa auditions, 10 in 10 is the most ridiculously brutal thing a performer can be put through! And in real impro you'd never get left up on the stage alone like that... there's no shame in going dry, it just mean's it's the other guy's time to lead for a bit :) --- Louisa Fitzhardinge

I actually had a finger in that pie back in the late 80s. Deckchair originally had the licence to the name 'TheatreSports' and the actual games from its owners, Loose Moose Theatre in Canada. After a while, the players, being non-pro, decided to set up their own group, originally called "Friends Of TheatreSports" (FOTS) which eventually became TheatreSports WA Inc and took over the licence. That group continued for some years in various venues until relatively recently as I understand it. Many present day professionals cut their teeth in the dust of the good old TheatreSports arena. I believe the licence is now held by private contractors (see web address I gave above) which is why the Hoo Haa and others are not allowed to use the name or the original games. Chookas, Ssstinger>>>

I actually had a finger in that pie back in the late 80s. Deckchair originally had the licence to the name 'TheatreSports' and the actual games from its owners, Loose Moose Theatre in Canada. After a while, the players, being non-pro, decided to set up their own group, originally called "Friends Of TheatreSports" (FOTS) which eventually became TheatreSports WA Inc and took over the licence. That group continued for some years in various venues until relatively recently as I understand it. Many present day professionals cut their teeth in the dust of the good old TheatreSports arena. I believe the licence is now held by private contractors (see web address I gave above) which is why the Hoo Haa and others are not allowed to use the name or the original games. Chookas, Ssstinger>>>

I second everything Louisa said. Improvisation is hard, and I really think you earn the respect of your fellow players simply by giving it a shot! I for one was impressed with everyone I saw at HooHaa auditions. As a participant in the Thursday night workshops, I thoroughly recommend them also! They have been a fantastic experience. Well done to everyone who auditioned!

Some great ideas and a lot to assimilate here. Hope to revive this discussion as to perhaps doing something along the lines of what Mr JD has suggested but that will be be when time permits. The other options via these workshops looks like something to investigate meantime. Thanks for everyones contributions. Louisa - certainly aren't beating myself up over the audition. It was sobering but at the same time got me really excited about pursuing development as an improv performer. I could sigh and say "jeez it's a long road to travel" but it really looks like a fun trip at the same time. And if the Hoo-Haa people do happen to read this (Sam, Jimmy, Damon, etc) - what a nice bunch of people you folks are. Extremely encouraging, enormously funny, and you did your best to put everyone at ease. Just thought you'd appreciate the feedback. All the best for the rest of the year and beyond folks!