New to area, looking for advice...

GregScot · Post by **GregScot** » November 14th, 2012, 12:40 am

Hi all,

I'm brand-spanking new to the area and I'm looking to find ways to get involved with the improv community. And when I say new, I mean I've been here 2 days. I've taken a free class at the New Movement and am taking the Level One class at The Hideout (had my first class Monday). I'm from New Jersey but lived the last 8 years in Maine teaching theatre to high schoolers (improv, playwriting, acting, directing, life lessons, misc whathaveyou) and was really involved with the community theatre scene up there.

So that's me... Looking for people, looking for ways to get involved. Any friendly advice about moving here, being here, greatly appreciated.

sorry if this wasn't the right place to post this, but just wanted to put it out there.

Cheers, Greg Scot

valetoile · Post by **valetoile** » November 14th, 2012, 12:47 am

Hi Greg, welcome! I suggest you come to this:
http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic ... highlight=
it's awesome and will be completely overwhelming. Other than that, come see shows and talk to the performers after shows. Everyone is super friendly. And Austin is an amazing city!

Spots · Post by **Spots** » November 14th, 2012, 1:22 am

What do you need specifically?

Think we've got you covered.

Post by **Jon Bolden** » November 14th, 2012, 10:04 am

Greg is in my class! Welcome, Greg. I would say just keep checking this forum, lots of fun & exciting stuff come through this board.

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · November 14th, 2012, 10:06 am

if you see a post for something called Fancy Pants Mash Up...yeah, do that.

Post by **happywaffle** » November 14th, 2012, 11:20 am

Join this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3197337 ... 0/?fref=ts

More ways to get involved than you can shake a stick at.

jesspasc · Post by **jesspasc** » November 14th, 2012, 12:16 pm

Hi Greg! As someone who is also relatively new (only lived in ATX a year and got involved in this wonderful community pretty quickly) I have a few tips that worked for me.

1. Go to everything. As a Hideout student you can get into most shows for free, though even if you need to pay for it it's always worth it. Check out all five (FIVE) theaters in town to see if their various styles speak to you.

2. Talk to everyone. The best thing about this community is the warm welcome you will undoubtedly receive from every member. If you walk into a room and don't know anyone, walk up to anyone and say "Hi, I'm Greg and I'm new here." I <b>guarantee</b> they will be excited to meet you and proceed to ask you a million questions about yourself.

3. Sign up for shows and play play play! There are so many great opportunities for new improvisers in this town, from the Fancy Pants Mashup (mentioned above), Maestro RAW, the Rubber Room, the Oh! Science jam, plenty of events at the New Movement, the Merlin Works mixer--all excellent places to play and meet tons of new people.

3. Do non-improv social things. There are monthly happy hours, clothing swaps, bloody balloon battles (really), charitable walks, soccer games, region-specific lunches--improv is a wonderful thing that brings us all together but it's also great to get to know imps in non-theatrical contexts.

4. Go to pint night (Tuesdays) at the Dog and Duck. Find the man sitting on his computer or reading a book. He is drinking a beer and probably eating dinner. His name is Jordan Maxwell and he will show you the way.

If any of the more seasoned imps want to add to this list I'd love to hear your take--these were some of the things I did to meet and fall in love with all of you crazy people

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · November 14th, 2012, 12:30 pm

jesspasc wrote:4. Go to pint night (Tuesdays) at the Dog and Duck. Find the man sitting on his computer or reading a book. He is drinking a beer and probably eating dinner. His name is Jordan Maxwell and he will show you the way.

what did i ever do to you to make you hate me so?

jesspasc · Post by **jesspasc** » November 14th, 2012, 12:50 pm

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell wrote:
jesspasc wrote:4. Go to pint night (Tuesdays) at the Dog and Duck. Find the man sitting on his computer or reading a book. He is drinking a beer and probably eating dinner. His name is Jordan Maxwell and he will show you the way.
what did i ever do to you to make you hate me so?

Be super welcoming & friendly, give good advice and create entertaining TV. If you wanted to be left alone you should have been more curmudgeonly.

PaGeN · Post by **PaGeN** » November 14th, 2012, 3:01 pm

Greg,

You could give a 5 minute (story/monologue/standup/scripted) about you piece at Austin No Shame this Friday night at Salvage Vanguard Theater.

In all seriousness, you should always listen to Jessie. She is Brilliant and Jordan is Amazing!

Hugs,

Paul

Asaf · Post by **Asaf** » November 14th, 2012, 3:19 pm

Here are some ways to jump right in:

Merlin Works has a mixer on a regular basis. It is great chance to play and also, there are people that cast for troupes and projects from there. Last one just happened: http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=14249

There are two jams every Sunday.

Oh, Science hosts one at ColdTowne at 8:30pm: http://www.coldtownetheater.com/calendar

We host The Rubber Room on Sundays at 8pm at The Institution Theater. http://www.theinstitutiontheater.com/sh ... ubber-room

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · November 14th, 2012, 3:22 pm

jesspasc wrote:
Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell wrote:
jesspasc wrote:4. Go to pint night (Tuesdays) at the Dog and Duck. Find the man sitting on his computer or reading a book. He is drinking a beer and probably eating dinner. His name is Jordan Maxwell and he will show you the way.
what did i ever do to you to make you hate me so?
Be super welcoming & friendly, give good advice and create entertaining TV. If you wanted to be left alone you should have been more curmudgeonly.

i'm TRYING, but you people keep being so damn DELIGHTFUL! ARGH!

GregScot · Post by **GregScot** » November 14th, 2012, 4:04 pm

Wow! thanks for all the thoughts, options, advice! It's almost more overwhelming than before! (but much less at the same time...)

I'm definitely going to come to the pre-Thanksgiving thing on Sunday, despite my non-crippling social anxiety, and hope to meet some of you in person.

If I feel brave enough, maybe I'll get a name tag that says "Hi, I'm Greg. I'm new here." If you see anyone wearing one or who looks out of place and shy, please say hello!

GregScot · Post by **GregScot** » November 18th, 2012, 8:23 pm

Yup, completely overwhelming!

Spots · Post by **Spots** » November 19th, 2012, 2:31 am

Hunker down with your improv class and make that your bubble.

Next step after that: Grow the size of your bubble bit by bit.