How do you start a troupe?

Post by **happywaffle** » October 5th, 2011, 12:06 pm

I'm always excited by the interesting combinations of funny improvisers that I see doing shows or advertising themselves on Facebook. But despite being good friends with many or most of them, I'm not sure how they actually got together and decided to call themselves a troupe.

When do those conversations happen? Maybe I'm just self-conscious enough that I don't jump in during a chat and say "Hey, let's make a format together." Maybe I just don't have any format ideas. More likely it's just that it never occurs to me to say.

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · October 5th, 2011, 12:21 pm

i think it happens in any number of ways. the recent groups i've put together have either been because i had an idea and asked people i thought would work well with it, or just from hanging out with people that i liked performing with and saying "let's do something" and coming up with the format after.

of course, a lot of those have fallen apart before we even got to the first show, but that's part of the process too.

Chuy! · Post by **Chuy!** » October 5th, 2011, 2:27 pm

OK, KEVIN!!! You can join Your Dad's Friends... Sheesh! Just ask instead of this passive aggressive display! (We play on Oct. 21st)

Post by **happywaffle** » October 5th, 2011, 3:38 pm

Chuy! wrote:OK, KEVIN!!! You can join Your Dad's Friends... Sheesh! Just ask instead of this passive aggressive display! (We play on Oct. 21st)

Got it on my calendar

I can play if it doesn't conflict with Cover to Cover.

I'm more talking about NEW, not-currently-existing troupes though. I can always beg and plead to join existing troupes (looking at you, I4E).

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · October 5th, 2011, 3:47 pm

happywaffle wrote:(looking at you, I4E).

yeah, ain't we all just...

mpbrockman · Post by **mpbrockman** » October 5th, 2011, 5:35 pm

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell wrote:i think it happens in any number of ways. the recent groups i've put together have either been because i had an idea and asked people i thought would work well with it, or just from hanging out with people that i liked performing with and saying "let's do something" and coming up with the format after...

Or from being hounded by certain musical improvisors...

Post by **bradisntclever** » October 5th, 2011, 10:59 pm

Identify improvisers that you enjoy spending time with onstage and off. The offstage part seems to be the key factor in most of the troupes that survive for a year or more.

Contact those people and see if they'd be interested in forming a new troupe. Maybe have an informal jam or two to see if things work.

Make sure everyone is on the same page in terms of creative goals for the troupe. Make sure everyone gets along.

Consider hiring a third party to coach or direct your troupe. This minimizes the awkward process of giving each other notes in rehearsals or after shows.

B. Tribe · Post by **B. Tribe** » October 6th, 2011, 8:32 am

Form a Cagematch troupe with people you like or that you think are funny or that somebody you trust vouches for, no matter the skill level. Rehearse for a bit, see how it goes. Achatina formed like that and we stayed together for over a year even though most of us didn't know each other at all before our first rehearsal.