Moms who improvise

Jessica · Post by **Jessica** » June 18th, 2011, 10:51 am

I actually grew up in theater. My mom was single and needed an outlet, I was about 7 and pretty good at behaving back stage. I am who I am today because of that.

It really is all about the support network and the commitment of the people around. Like last night Pai wandered into the theater with Marc right before my show, I hung with her for a little and there was actually a huge part of me that wanted to pull her on stage to play with (except I know Pai wouldn't have actually enjoyed that, so I didn't.) The other imps treat her with respect and caring, which makes it easier for Marc to bring her. I assume that it would only hold true for a low number of kids and/or kids who are well behaved. For example, I don't bring Henry to the theater much anymore because he just can't follow social norms when he doesn't want to.

So I guess all about social network and the disposition of the parent/kid dynamic.

AmyA · Post by **AmyA** » June 18th, 2011, 2:15 pm

Oh, and also the list of what not to do as an improvisor parent. Jill, please pass these on to your friend and save her some trouble:

1) When they are seven years old, do not take them to an Improvised Apocalypse show in which invisible zombies disembowel and behead your buddies on stage.

2) Do not disembowel yourself onstage when they are in the audience. Also, do not repeat self-disembowelment in three different genres right afterwards.

3) Do not jump in the back of a pick-up truck and drive away while singing the big musical finale number when they are in the audience. Especially do not do this when the show is taking place at a horse farm with many electric fences and when you have designated no adult to supervise them.

Sincerely,
Amy "It's a wonder he's still alive" Averett

Alex B · Post by **Alex B** » June 18th, 2011, 5:16 pm

My troupemate, Kristen Henn, is a mother and very active improviser. Her (9 year old I think?) daughter does improv with The Lindas.

They're both good improvisers, I must say.

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · June 20th, 2011, 9:24 am

hujhax wrote:Momstro!

didn't the Fantastic Four battle her and force her back to the Maternal Zone?

jillybee72 wrote:
hujhax wrote:Momstro!
MOMSTRO!!!

good God, Jill! be careful! saying her name three times in a row SUMMONS her once more from her extradimensional depths!

Alex B wrote:My troupemate, Kristen Henn, is a mother and very active improviser. Her (9 year old I think?) daughter does improv with The Lindas.

They're both good improvisers, I must say.

good lord...Kristen was my advisor in college, and pregnant then. this just made me feel ridiculously old.

Brad Hawkins · Post by **Brad Hawkins** » June 20th, 2011, 9:35 am

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell wrote:good God, Jill! be careful! saying her name three times in a row SUMMONS her once more from her extradimensional depths!

Who, Momstro?

LisaJackson · Post by **LisaJackson** » June 21st, 2011, 10:50 pm

mpbrockman wrote:
Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell wrote:at least until the kid is old enough to perform...
Ever seen Merina McGehee do voice/sound for ComedySportz? Hells yes, get the young 'un involved.

At this year's LAFF, a group called "The Lindas" featured a 9-year old girl.

Glad you feel better, Jill.

Charlotte, the 9 year old from The Lindas, is also the daughter of an improvising mom, Kristen Henn, from the ColdTowne house troupe, Oh, Science!

LisaJackson · Post by **LisaJackson** » June 21st, 2011, 10:50 pm

Oops, I didn't see that Alex had already said that.

jillybee72 · Post by **jillybee72** » June 26th, 2011, 9:12 am

Brad Hawkins wrote:Who, Momstro?

Noooooo!!!!!!

mpbrockman · Post by **mpbrockman** » June 26th, 2011, 8:46 pm

jillybee72 wrote:
Brad Hawkins wrote:Who, Momstro?

Noooooo!!!!!!

I'm pretty sure that to summon Momstro, you have to be dumb enough to mention Momstro three times in a single post of your own (quotes don't count). I don't think any of us would be so incautious as to mention Momstro that many times.

AAIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · June 27th, 2011, 9:12 am

as long as no one summons Momthra and Gramera as well, we should be able to handle this...