Come Play Maestro

[Roy Janik]

Andy and I are directing Maestro this weekend. PM or e-mail one or both of us if you want in.

Andy and I make a pretty sweet team, because I keep Andy from pulling out "Clump Comically" and Andy keeps me from renaming all the games arbitrarily.

We're gonna make the show a healthy mix of common games, games you haven't seen in a while, and games you might never have seen.

There's also a chance that a game from the world's best book, "American Non-Singing Games", might make an appearance.

If you want practice with some games, come to the jam tonight and Kareem will run them. Some games that I definitely want to include are:

* Slow Clap
* The Hat Game
* The Typewriter Game
* Isn't it Just Like Life?
* Gibberish Replay

And then, afterwards, it's Sauces and Dips.

Again, PM or e-mail Andy and I to play. We'll announce the lineup no later than Thursday.

[improvstitute]

The first person to correctly identify all three people in the picture will get a big sweaty hug (and maybe a beer) from me the next time I see you...


and - GO!

[vine311]

That's Bob Apthorpe bearded and in the background. Ted in the front and someone who looks kinda like Julie Lucas but not really.

Also, I'd like to play Maestro this weekend.

[Miggy]

* The Hat Game

This is a very honest question, because I'm trying to learn. I understand what the Hat game is supposed to accomplish as a practice/warm-up. I don't understand, though, how this is entertaining as a performance game. Can you help me understand?

Thanks,
Mike

[kbadr]

As a performance game, it works really well actually.

The main point of the hat game is that it will produce good scene work. You're supposed to basically not worry about the hat, and pay complete attention to your scene partner. It trains you to stay out of your head, because the instant you retreat into your head, you lose your hat (if the other player is paying attention)

So, as a performance game, it'll produce really good scenes, when played correctly. There's also this added tension that the audience has in the back of their mind as they wait for a hat to be taken. Often that will subside if the scene is really compelling and then when someone does take the hat, the audience is delighted because they forgot the hat game was even being played.

[Roy Janik]

I don't understand, though, how this is entertaining as a performance game. Can you help me understand?

Yeah, absolutely I can.

As I was taught the hat game, it's an exercise that builds the skill of 'being in the moment'. The players put the hats on, get a suggestion, and do a scene. They then do their best to play the scene straight, ignoring the fact that the hats are there.

But the moment they sense that their scene partner is thinking about what do next and/or has checked out of the scene, they grab the hat.

Now, regarding performance... I've only ever seen the hat game used as an elimination game, and that's how I intend to use it. The players do 3 scenes... best 2 out of 3 wins.

If the players are playing the game as described above, they won't go for the easy kill. The hats will flit in and out of danger, but the players will continue to just play the scene. This drives the audience nuts. They're on the edge of their seat, waiting for the grab. And then just at the right moment, when a player stumbles, the hat is grabbed.

Now, granted, if the players are too into the scene and stay apart for a long period of time, it's not that interesting. But that's when the directors say "place the hat in danger", or they start the next scene off with a location where two people are crammed in together.

[beardedlamb]

one of my favorite directions of all time that sean would give repeatedly. "Put the hats in danger!"
just funny out of context. like ona t-shirt or something.

i am playing micetro this saturday.

i will be at the jam tonight.

i am underimprovved today.

beard [the beard is back]

[andrea]

The first person to correctly identify all three people in the picture will get a big sweaty hug (and maybe a beer) from me the next time I see you...


and - GO!

bob, ted, maggie. buy me beer!!

[kbadr]

I will be at the jam, but I will be a little late (gotta go see a man about a house)

[Miggy]

Ok - I can see that working. I guess I've only seen it where the performers were either a.) lost in their scene from the beginning or b.) focused on their hat from the beginning. The result wasn't very satisfying. I can undertstand it better now when you describe the playing with danger part.

[bradisntclever]

Ok - I can see that working. I guess I've only seen it where the performers were either a.) lost in their scene from the beginning or b.) focused on their hat from the beginning. The result wasn't very satisfying. I can undertstand it better now when you describe the playing with danger part.

Coincidentally, I just read through a section of Impro for Storytellers that covers the Hat Game in depth, and Roy and Karim are right on the money. Johnstone also makes a point to "Put the hats in danger!" which, I agree, sounds funny out of context.

The only other part I would add is that when performing, it's best to stay within arm's length of your partner. You should try and find a position where your partner is able to reach out and grab your hat if not paying attention, but not one where s/he is guaranteed to grab it if they try. The audience is most excited when there is a 50% chance of success.

Johnstone also mentions that adding any sort of restrictions or "improvements" tends to lead to problems that cancel them out. For instance, if you tell improvisers they can't grab at the hats until a certain time, someone (beginners in particular) will grab for them as soon a they can. This is just like grabbing at the beginning of a scene.

The Hat Game appears to be a game best learned through experience. Seasoned improvisers tend to do better inherently as they can "make a mental split" where half of their mind is watching/participating in the scene and the other half is aware of the hat at all times.

[Matt]

In!

[Mike]

I'm in for Micetro!

[Marc Majcher]

In!

In-deed.

[Roy Janik]

Here's the lineup. We actually had a ton of people express interest in playing Maestro this time around, which comes as a very pleasant surprise. So I'm sorry if some of you didn't make it into the cast list.

Here it is, as far as I know it. I haven't totally confirmed with Andy, but I wanted to get it out:

1. Kareem
2. Kinald
3. Kristin
4. Kacey
5. Asaf
6. Lamb
7. Wallace
8. Vines
9. Andrea
10. Shawn
11. Marc
12. Ratliff
13. Jeff

If you're not on the list, but you have interest in helping with tech or with scorekeeping, let me know.