Seeking dangerous actors for dangerous improv

[Jack]

I'm looking for actors and improvisers who are interested in long form improv that goes into "dangerous" areas.

What do I mean by this? Well, I used to do some workshops in London at the Actors Centre a few years back, and the theme of the workshop was on going into places in improv that would be more likely to bring up real emotions. It was kinda like walking a tightrope - one side was absolutely riveting theatre, the other side emotional meltdown - but I found it the kind of theatre that was not only extremely entertaining to watch and partake in, and also an opportunity to really learn stuff about myself as a performer and a human being.

I'm proposing something similar for courageous Austinites. I have some excellent training in therapeutic techniques and I know that such workshops require sensitivity and a sense of trust, because actors would be going into places that could possibly leave them with more than just egg on their faces. I believe I can create an environment safe enough for actors to really "go deep" and explore in ways they can't usually in a "regular" workshop setting. Having said that, it would be the actor's responsibility as to how far he goes into character development, and his psychological welfare would be his own. It wouldn't be a therapy session, is what I mean...

But in my opinion if an actor can improvise and allow himself to really explore outside his comfort zone, the benefits are immeasurable, even if it does mean feeling vulnerable at times.

If anyone's familiar with the work of British director Mike Leigh, he uses such techniques with his actors, working towards theatre productions and film. It's not all tears and rage, necessarily - he's done some hilarious comedies on stage and screen. For example, check out this YouTube clip of the first ten minutes of one of his TV films

The characters were all devised by the actors, and the piece was written around the actors' characterizations.

If anyone's interested, please contact me. This is just an initial feeler - I have nothing planned yet. I'm just wanting to see people's reactions to the idea.

Thanks

[bilbo]

i could be interested in this, as my emotions are closed to everyone, including myself.

[Marc Majcher]

Yes, please.

[LisaJackson]

I'm interested.

[Jules]

I'd be down with that. I have a bunch of training in group process which could also be helpful.

[harperjdav]

I'd be interested in exploring this. I was thinking just recently about how powerful it might be to do improv that had some real tragedy, some real angst behind it. Something that really gets behind the human mask and makes us think, hurt, bleed.

But funny is good, too...

[Lindsey]

Yes.

[Jeff]

I do love Mike Leigh movies: Nuts in May, Life is Sweet, Bleak Moments, High Hopes, Naked. All great films!

[arthurina]

I have issues