Austin Improv

I was thinking it might be nice to list all the folks in the community who would be available to coach improv teams. Especially with the Cage Match going on, we might need someone to coach us for a few sessions, or there might be people who want to make a team out of their cage match group. So maybe we can make this a coaching thread with contact info. for people who want to coach a team.

Yes.
This idea has been floated for months and hopefully will happen as the community begins to get more organized and coordinated.

A lot of us new troupes would be very thankful for such a thing.

There are residents of ColdTowne who have expressed interest in the occassional coaching gig. Keep us in your thoughts. Or call us.

If only there was some sort of ColdTowne light signal we could shine into the sky when we need you...or perhaps a phone number?

Also, do you offer classes on your own weaknesses? Kind of like a "How to beat ColdTowne in a Cage Match" seminar?

I am available to coach, either on a one-off situation or on-going.

I think I know most people here on the board, but if you don't know me...

My name is Bob McNichol. I recently moved here (with my wife Erika) from Chicago, where I trained at ImprovOlympic (now known as IO, thanks to the Olympic committee), Annoyance Theatre, and other places. I performed for about 4 years at IO -- the last 3 1/2 on house team Johnny Roast Beef -- in addition to many other shows at IO, Second City, Playground Theater, and other independent theaters in Chicago. I currently perform here in Austin at the Hideout with Tight, McNichol & May, and I Am A Truck.

In Austin, I have had the opportunity to coach Wooden Nickel a few times and look forward to coaching more. I can certainly provide more information if needed. To get in touch, write me at (without the dashes): b-o-b-m-c-n-i-c-h-o-l-@-y-a-h-o-o-.-c-o-m

I'm @ 225-938-8242.
I don't know if the others want their numbers posted here for everyone in the entire freaking world to have, so if you need one of theirs, I will tell you via letter. They are so paranoid.

Jen, Dave, Erin, Bob and Erika have all coached one or both of the troupes in which I am and I have learned cool things from each of them. At this point, it's $5 a week--which amounts to 8-12 hours of instruction a month at $20. Better pricing than a workshop!

I highly recommend having a regular coach, or, at the very least, an occasional coach. You'll be surprised how much an objective viewer of your prov can help you. Ask for sidecoaching as well if you feel comfortable with that.

CJA

Arthur Simone of ColdTowne is free for sharing the deepest, darkest secrets of the reigning Cagematch champs!

Chris Trew, for instance, has an irrational aversion to lipstick.

Seriously, though, I've got years and years of theater direction under my faux-snakeskin belt, so send an email if you're needing someone.

I, Shana Merlin, am all about the coaching.

Here's my short bio:

Shana Merlin has been a professional improviser since 1995, performing from Calgary to San Francisco to Atlanta to Las Vegas to London, and a teacher since 2000, where some of her clients have included PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sea World, and The University of Texas McCombs School of Business. Shana has trained with most of the masters in the field of improvisation including Keith Johnstone, Paul Sills, Gary Austin, and Charna Halpern.

Some of the troupes I've coached:
Let's Try This, The Basement Theatre, Ed32, Gorgeous Ladies of Comedy, Spin Cycle, uh oh yeah and the Heroes of Comedy for like 3 years when it actually was a troupe that rehearsed every week.

You can call me at 657-3005 or email shana@merlin-works.com

I am SO tired (3 nights, 8 hours rest total - Yay animation!). I read this post as:

Available Coachholders

I said I wanted to coach, but I didn't say anything about my qualifications. So ask me if you're interested.

I am available to hold coaches securely in my loving arms, to gently stroke their furrowed brows, to whisper words of encouragement and reassurance into their ears.