For those of you who are interested in the learning the science and the art of improv, you can join me on saturday evenings from 6pm-9pm in the MAI building on rue Jeanne-Mance. The classes start on Feb. 16th and will cost $15 for each 3 hour session. The last set of classes was really fun, so come join us!
If you are interested, then write me at marc “dot” rowland “at” gmail.com with the title “improv!”
I agree with the sentiment of this video from the CIG. Improv is a great place to explore those subjects that would normally seem insignificant. We all turn trivialilties into montrous problems or glorious accomplishments in our lives, so we should celebrate those on stage. I’m personally interested in the crooked logic and abrupt flowerings that improv brings.
-Please note: the first round of auditions has passed. Regretfully, we are no longer accepting submissions. Thanks! -
Do you pluck laughter from a tree? Do you like it when an audience’s
eyes throw happy sparks? Do you like things that are funny, and like
when things are made funny? And do you like to tell stories,
especially those that go suddenly zig-zag?
One of Montreal’s best-established improv troupes is looking for new
members. We’re looking for people who are interested in improv comedy
- in the zing and zap of it, in its crooked logic and abrupt
flowerings. We don’t like dumb gags or “zany” yuks: we like the other
stuff. The stuff that’s funny like *good* things are funny, like new
things and ripe things are funny. We like people who can tell stories,
and who care about stories, and who see the beauty in a sudden
punchline. We like people who take chances.
Does this sound like it might be you? It doesn’t matter if you’re a
seasoned improviser or a theatre newcomer, a standup comic or a
shut-in wit, old or young: if you think you might like to join us,
we’d like to find out more about you.
Please write us at: auditions@withoutannette.net
Without Annette has in its various forms been making things up for
almost ten years. We are the in-house troupe at the Comedy Nest and
will be presenting our fourth Montreal Fringe Festival show in the summer of 2008.
We like long-form, short scenes, and good shows. Members would be expected to
attend weekly workshops, and it would be a bonus if they knew how to
bake cakes. Auditions will be held in late-January.
Pippa Evans, a lovely London improvisor who gave me a bike, has been digitized and forced to entertain the masses while they use Microsoft’s search engine. Enjoy her servitude here at www.searchcharades.com.
They say that variety is the spice of life. So, of course, its important have variety within an improv show, as well. Some may assume that this variety can be fully achieved through inserting different games or having different scenes about different subjects, but this might only address certain aspects of the show. A show that attempts to be constantly high energy and funny will definitely see its audience’s attention flag by the end of the evening. There’s only so much stimulation (ahem) that a person can take before they become desensitized. I recently watched the film No Country For Old Men. The film begins with a few very graphic killings but gradually over the course of the film, the depiction of the murders becomes more abstract. The film would have lost its potency if it kept trying to top itself with increasingly disturbing slayings. Similarly, an improv show will lose its power if the troupe is trying to be consistently serious or silly. Moments of comedy (or levity in a serious show) are required to give the audience a break and give them a chance to recharge.
I would like to thank everyone who came out to the first of my improv classes at the MAI and helped make it such a rowsing success. All the improvisors were in the moment, ready to push their boundaries and I was certainly impressed! If you would like to get in on the action its not too late. The classes are at MAI, 3680 rue Jeanne-Mance, room 223 on the next three saturdays.. They start at 6pm and end at 9pm with a delightful tea break somewhere in the middle. Each three hour session costs a piddly $15. Write me at marc (dot) rowland (at) gmail.com to let me know that you would like to come because it seems like next saturday might be full.
If you can’t make it this saturday but you would still like to learn improv, you can hire Marc or another member of Without Annette to teach you. Just write us at contact (at) withoutannette.net.
Also, I would just like to point out how excited I am that we have now establised a truly egalitarian system and charge a fantastic $6 for everyone at our improv shows at the Comedy Nest. Our next show is December 7th. Come and see what equality tastes like.
I participated in the McGill Improv Workshop today in the Shatner Building. I liked the focus of Jeremy’s workshop, which was all about not getting stressed about things on stage. During a Word At A Time story, I must have forgotten what we were trying to achieve because I was concerned about making the story make sense and being snappy. I was so worried about the direction of the story and trying to speed things up, that I forgot to help my partner look good. As a result, the story had a weird energy and it didn’t really work out. Hopefully, writing this down will help me remember this lapse in good-natured relaxation in the future.
Marc will be teaching a four session beginner’s improv course at MAI on saturdays from 6pm-9pm starting on November 24th and going until December 15th. The lessons will support a blend of performers and non-performers looking to learn or review the foundations of improv. Improv is a great way for actors to find new characters and new stories. All sorts of people will find that improv can help with public speaking and interpersonal skills. The classes cost $15. If you are interested send an email titled “improv workshops” to marc (dot) rowland (at) gmail (dot) com. Please include a small description of your background in improv in the email. Look forward to seeing you!
Here are two interesting vids from Grand Theft Impro in London. The first is story tell or die, storytelling die or story story die and the second is a nice scene with musical accompaniment.
I lead two workshops this weekend that I was quite pleased with. As with most things, the skills that a workshop leader requires can constantly be honed and improved over time. I know I have a long way to go, but this weekend I felt like I was 2 for 2. For McGill Improv I focused on relaxation and giving the players tasks where planning ahead was difficult. Really listening and reacting to events and information as they are revealed can make improv so enjoyable to watch. So many offers are given every second and if these little tiny pieces of information go unnoticed and unused then the scene will appear flat. At the TSC workshop, I focused on giving the players licence to put themselves out there and possibly fail. One of the many things that I picked up at the Loose Moose Theatre this summer was that embracing the possibility of failure helps to free the improvisor from the fear of making a mistake. Fear is what holds improvisors back from exploring new, uncharted territory.
I went by Concordia’s new improv club last week and I would like to thank Vanessa for letting me join in the workshop and for coming to our show last friday. I had a lot of fun and I hope to stop by again some time soon.
One final note, I shall be participating in some small way in the Rotting Flesh Revue this saturday, Nov. 10th @ 8pm @ Cafe Cleopatra. Tickets are now available to buy at the Pop Shop – 4081 boul.st.laurent (north of duluth) AND at Joy Toyz – 4200 boul.st. laurent bur. 418. Tickets cost only $10
Improv, Without Annette | marc | 
January 30, 2008 9:37 pm | 
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contact [at] withoutannette.net
