One thing I find hard to do is connect deeply with other troupe members when I
only see most of them once a week for two-three hours of rehearsal. Rehearsals
are often fun and full of energy, but the improv does not seem to go very far
below the surface of comedy/insanity. It's like, "Hey, yeah! Improv! That fun thing
we do where we get to play all sorts of characters and stuff!"
How to get below the surface of things if a troupe can only meet once a week?
Officially,
CJ
Connecting w/ Your Troupe
Discussion of the art and craft of improvisation.
Moderators: arclight, happywaffle, bradisntclever
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- HerrHerr Offline
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Connecting w/ Your Troupe
Last edited by HerrHerr on May 12th, 2013, 2:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
Sometimes it's a form of love just to talk to somebody that you have nothing in common with and still be fascinated by their presence.
--David Byrne
--David Byrne
Personal Time
I have found that hanging out together outside of shows, rehearsals helps everyone to get to know each other better. The best teams I played with were all with really good friends who loved each other and loved being around each other. You already have the trust factor there with the friendship and by knowing each other well, you know each others strengths and weaknesses. You know how to support each other better on stage.
Last edited by cargill on May 12th, 2013, 2:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
I think you all have to have sex. It is the only way. Maybe all at once, maybe in pairs, that's up to you. But it has to be done.
Or, now that the obvious joke is out of the way, maybe you could do a dinner every week or every other week as a troupe, but vow not to talk about improv, at least not at first. You could also have a slumber party. Or an informal book club. Pass around things like books and CDs and movies that you like so that everyone can see what the others like. You could also form another type of team briefly to meet in another context, like a bowling or softball team (OK, remind me to suggest a Hideout City League Softball or Bowling team to Andy and the co-op. That would be awesome).
You could also create a troupe space somewhere online. Have a journal or webpage where people can share thoughts and ideas.
Or, now that the obvious joke is out of the way, maybe you could do a dinner every week or every other week as a troupe, but vow not to talk about improv, at least not at first. You could also have a slumber party. Or an informal book club. Pass around things like books and CDs and movies that you like so that everyone can see what the others like. You could also form another type of team briefly to meet in another context, like a bowling or softball team (OK, remind me to suggest a Hideout City League Softball or Bowling team to Andy and the co-op. That would be awesome).
You could also create a troupe space somewhere online. Have a journal or webpage where people can share thoughts and ideas.
Last edited by Wesley on May 12th, 2013, 2:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- deroosisonfire Offline
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my old group connected by having rituals together. there were lots of little things - a fake game we'd play the day before a show, certain songs we always listened to after our shows, grabbing dinner together once a week - but they added up to give a certain "us" mentality that made it a very tight-knit group, and that really translated into amazing chemistry onstage.
Last edited by deroosisonfire on May 12th, 2013, 2:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
Nothing works better than "Beer Night".
Find cheap beer and end up in a hot tub naked by the end of the night.
Oh, and the water-volleyball and barbecue are neccessary.
Find cheap beer and end up in a hot tub naked by the end of the night.
Oh, and the water-volleyball and barbecue are neccessary.
Last edited by Far Away on May 12th, 2013, 2:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
Boo, hoo, hoo! I am a file clerk, not a rock star!
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- beardedlamb Offline
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unfortunately, the best way to bond with a group is to go through some kind of traumatic experience with them. in some cases, this happens naturally. i would even include doing a horrible show together. but if you're not willing to purposely lock yourselves in an elevator in a burning building, just hanging out with your troupe will eventually put you at risk for said event.
i find that living with the people i play with enhances stage chemistry.
road trips ar great, too. we used to go camping with whj (well hung jury) and anyone was allowed to invite whomever they wanted to come along. it wasn't necessarily a retreat where we set out an agenda and talked about our feelings while trying to walk across ropes. but, i'm sure it served to strengthen our ensemble just being around each other.
and that's the key. just be around the people you work with. if you don't like to be with them, eventually you won't like to perform with them and the art will surely show it.
beard
i find that living with the people i play with enhances stage chemistry.
road trips ar great, too. we used to go camping with whj (well hung jury) and anyone was allowed to invite whomever they wanted to come along. it wasn't necessarily a retreat where we set out an agenda and talked about our feelings while trying to walk across ropes. but, i'm sure it served to strengthen our ensemble just being around each other.
and that's the key. just be around the people you work with. if you don't like to be with them, eventually you won't like to perform with them and the art will surely show it.
beard