Austin Improv

Congrats to GGG on a fun show!!! And thanks to all who were in attendance and who helped keep improv on Thursday night alive and kicking in Austin!!

And a big hand to Parallelogramophonograph and Improv for Evil who turned out for First Thursday and handed out a ton of flyers!

bless me father...

last night i was exhausted from a long week of work, improv, sketch, reading, etc, so i decided to stay home and relax. i didn't go to first thursday, the first time in months. i didn't go to the thursday show, also the first time in months. i was enjoying my break from the world and responsibility. that is, until my phone rang.

"why didn't you come to the show?"

"..."

"well i called to see if anyone else from 1st thursday is coming."

"i didn't go to first thursday..."

"..."

"sorry"

"no, it's alright. it's not just soley you. it's everybody."

"but, i am everybody!"

whether guilt was the trip the caller intended me to take or not, i took it, and boy, did i feel guilty. again, i was reminded that *you* are everybody. (not a LOST reference) everybody doesn't hand out flyers. everybody doesn't work lights on thursday. everybody doesn't work the box office. *you do* and if you don't do these things, no one will.

so i confess that i was selfish last night. i'm not happy about it, but i admit it. i own up to it. i apologize that i let down the community. i want to be superman, (when he brings the president the US flag in the second movie and says, "i'm sorry i let you down, mr. president. it won't happen again.) but i know i'm an otis.

and you know what the worst thing was? the whole day, including the time in which i received that phone call, i was wearing my improv shirt.

damn.

I flyered at First Thursday last night and hit the GGG show around 9:00. Plus I brought everyone pretty shirts at both, so I am free of guilt and it tastes so sweet.

Let's look at the underlying issues:

First Thursday was well-supported last night by two troupes. It could be better supported in the future. Your troupe should be there supporting next month, or the month after that. By the end of the year we should be recognized on sight by every hipster and hippie in Austin. It's a fantastic market and we get great reactions from people.

The Thursday shows have been a struggle and we came up with a plan of action. Chris Trew is taking over Thursdays in mid June and creating an Ed Sullivan-style variety show that will run for all eternity, attracting students and making Thursday nights at the Hideout the place to be. Unfortunately that doesn't kick in for a couple months. In the meantime, we've got to do what we can to support the Thursday shows. So show up for your favorite troupe or check out a troupe that you don't normally go see.

I flyered at First Thursday last night and hit the GGG show around 9:00. Plus I brought everyone pretty shirts at both, so I am free of guilt and it tastes so sweet.
You, sir, were an improv god last night.

I also thank everyone that came out. We almost ran into problem of having too many people at one point because everyone walking by me, from either direction, already had a bright orange improv schedule in their hands!! A good problem to have. (I also suggest we keep printing new schedules on bright paper.) And the crowd was much more receptive last night; 75% of the flyers I stuck out got taken (not like last time where giving away one was like pulling teeth). I think we are starting to prime people to know and accept us. Valerie and I are going to really work hard to get a performance space for the next few 1st Thursdays. If we can, we will be golden.

And best of all was seeing everyone handing out their own flyers. At one point a lot of people were handing out two flyers at once, one for their troupe and one with the main schedule. Improv for Evil had their own, as did Shower Scene. For once Parallelogramophonograph did not (because we only have one show coming up and it is highly specialized, though next month we'll be back full force). And the Whirled News Crew was out doing man on the street interviews.

We are so almost there, let's plan to explode into every Austinite's consciousness this summer.

(Also, put on some kick ass shows this weekend becuase I talked to two people from other cities looking to move here and they were interested in our improv scene, including one that did stuff at UCB in NY). Even if they don't move here, let's send them back saying "Guys, you should really check out Austin, that place is wicked cool for improv.")

Nice, nice, nice.
I have such a soft spot for AIC and the people who make it what it is.

Love.

thanks to everyone who came out and supported the GGG show. it was nice to have you there.

a super big THANKS to sara farr who provided the following:
1. staff
2. beer
3. diet coke
4. pretzels
5. oranges
6. big red cooler

it was like having a soccer mom. one who didn't yell at me when i missed a goal.