The following has been hanging out on the AIC website for a while, and could use some updating and filling out.
[quote]The History of Improv in Austin
and of the Austin Improv Collective
Do you know the story of Austin Improv? Why don't you click that little edit icon in the upper left hand corner and tell a little bit of it? (if you don't have a little icon there, it means you don't have access. Click Here to change that.)
A Partial History of Austin Improv Since 1996
In 1996 the main improv venues were The Velveeta Room, featuring Marc Pruter’s Monk’s Night Out and The ComedySportz Playhouse, featuring Les McGehee’s ComedySportz Players. There was also a University of Texas troupe called Only 90% Effective directed by Brently Heilbron. The Velveeta Room was also producing other troupes like Code Blue and Los Paranoias, directed by Pam Ribon and David Lampe. David Lampe was a member of Monk’s Night Out and a founding member of The Oxymorons in San Antonio.
In 1997, Austin was put on the national improv and sketch map with the first annual Big Stinkin’ Improv and Sketch Comedy Festival, which brought troupes, teachers, and talent scouts from around the nation to Austin for a fantabulous long weekend of comedy. Improv played some of the biggest venues in town from the Paramount to Palmer Auditorium. It was awesome.
In 1998, Sean Hill and David Lampe hosted auditions for “Austin Theatresports,â€
The History of Improv in Austin, TX
Anything about the AIC itself.
Moderators: arclight, happywaffle
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- HerrHerr Offline
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Two-year veteren Chris Allen joined the scene in 2003 after taking classes with the aforementioned guru of improv Shana Merlin. After diddling with several Heroes of Comedy shows and a new troupe that was quickly-aborted once everyone in it had had sex with each other, he foolishly took on being in three other troupes (Foolish Mortals, Wooden Nickel and Hoover's Blanket--sketch comedy) for a one-year period and performed in over eighty-five shows in 2006. This blew his mind and heart and body. So he dropped his two improv troupes. In 2007 he fell in love with improv again and was ready and eager to play more after his respite. Unfortunately, the newly formed improv government with its four parties--The Frank Millsians, Coldtowners, Parallelogramophongraphers and GGGsians--would only allow Chris to play with the Micetronians. So, he eeked out the last days of his improv life playing camels and bread baskets and hesitate debating with the other....the other...the other...
...eggplants. In 2012, Chris won a lifetime achievement award in improv at a ceremony attended by Sean Hill and that homeless guy who sells flowers out front of The Hideout....I think his name is Lewis...but you know who I mean., so get off my ass, alright? Unfortunately Sean Hill could not attend, even though he had attended, and the cake was eaten by....eaten by....eaten by...
...Keith Johnstone. Now it's ten years later but he still keeps up the fight. In Ireland, in Lebanon, in Palestine and Berkeley
Patty Hearst heard the burst of Roland's Thompson gun and bought it.
...eggplants. In 2012, Chris won a lifetime achievement award in improv at a ceremony attended by Sean Hill and that homeless guy who sells flowers out front of The Hideout....I think his name is Lewis...but you know who I mean., so get off my ass, alright? Unfortunately Sean Hill could not attend, even though he had attended, and the cake was eaten by....eaten by....eaten by...
...Keith Johnstone. Now it's ten years later but he still keeps up the fight. In Ireland, in Lebanon, in Palestine and Berkeley
Patty Hearst heard the burst of Roland's Thompson gun and bought it.
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
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- HerrHerr Offline
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But seriously...
...the history of improv should include jen Cargil and Erin's return. They along with M&M and Rachel and Buckman helped infuse the Chicago style into Austin. Jen and Erin taught a class that lead to the creation of Wooden Nickel and all these Chicago peeps brought something much needed as the scene begin to explode--coaching. And specifically Coldtowne as well and all their awesome work pumping up the scene, including starting their own theater.
More on Well-Hung Jury and all the radical fun formats they created too.
...the history of improv should include jen Cargil and Erin's return. They along with M&M and Rachel and Buckman helped infuse the Chicago style into Austin. Jen and Erin taught a class that lead to the creation of Wooden Nickel and all these Chicago peeps brought something much needed as the scene begin to explode--coaching. And specifically Coldtowne as well and all their awesome work pumping up the scene, including starting their own theater.
More on Well-Hung Jury and all the radical fun formats they created too.
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
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- Asaf Offline
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- arthursimone Offline
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acrouch wrote:Copy this history, add to it and repost it. Like a Wiki.
maybe we should try and get a wiki entry?
"I don't use the accident. I deny the accident." - Jackson Pollock
The goddamn best Austin improv classes!
The goddamn best Austin improv classes!
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- ChrisTrew.Com Offline
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