I found it incredible that they've been organizing an event across 4 cities throughout June. I was so inspired I drove down to New Orleans for the first weekend. Watched some excellent shows & met some seriously talented NOLA improvisers.
There's some good stuff happening in that scene & I'm glad to see New Orleans back on its feet. Local businesses are huffing along. There are folks keeping up the community down there.
Didn't make the Houston or Dallas shows. But I'm amazed at the hard working troupes who drove all over Texas and Louisiana to make it happen, including one troupe called Chris & Tami.
A few of my other favorites: Hand Bomb, Tura Tura, Witch Baby, Stupid Time Machine, Delta Burka, Milo & Shyla, Vietnomnomnom. Everybody was there. Everybody was supportive & in high spirits.
Yesterday The New Movement had a family meeting. It was really touching. Seated around the room were all the people who first became improvisers under Chris and Tami's wing. These aren't theater people. They had just come to a show one time and decided to stick around. The room was literally packed with students.
It was a family meeting like any other, announcements were made. Props were thrown out. Dan gave new protocol for handling equipment. Chris gave some details for this weekend's closing party. But there came time when eyes starting filling with tears because that time was coming closer.
Tom Niland said delicately, "Yeah I have some props. For Chris & Tami."
A few students started clapping. Then all were clapping. And everyone stood up. And before you knew it there was a standing ovation for the folks who made it all happen.
It was touching. It was awesome. I was ecstatic to be there.
More than anything, I can't wait to see our NOLA brothers & sisters get a space and grow an even tighter bond with the Austin community. I'm going to head down there a few weekends to help out. I had a blast last weekend with those folks and I have every intention of keeping that link active.
But here's the thing you need to consider.
This weekend is a great time to come see the closing nights of the Megaphone Marathons. Come see the Houston, Dallas, and NOLA folks. Come say hi to Alexandria and Vanessa, who are the new Creative Director and Conservatory Director respectively. Come hug it out with Chris & Tami & me. There's gonna be some cool shit.
If you haven't checked out the theater yet, it's a pretty monumental time.
