Austin Improv

It’s the technological marvel that made modern cities possible. It’s the closest physical contact most of us ever have with people we don’t know (unless we’re Greco-Roman wrestlers, or prostitutes). And it’s the basis for Elevator Action, the improv show that doesn’t go all the way to the top floor. First, cram a bunch of complete strangers into a metal box so small they can practically smell each other’s hopes, fears, and sweaty underpants. Next, physically invade their personal space from everyside, even as they desperately try to remain “polite.” Then watch as the thin film of civilized behavior burns away, revealing a primal, roiling clusterboink of hilariously inexcusable behavior. Think of the most awkward, embarrassing, please-god-let-it-end elevator ride you’ve ever been on. It was, what, 45 seconds long? This one is 25 minutes. Come on, we’re not holding the door forever.
Every Thursday in September at ColdTowne Theater(8pm).
Starring Liz Brammer, Lance Gilstrap, David Lee Hess, Cortnie Jones, Joshua Krilov, and John Ratliff

I approve. The Elevator used to be Gravy's signature format back in the mediaeval days of Austin improv when Bill Stern still lived here . Glad to see other people doing it.

Awesome. Do you remember any of the basic elements of the format (besides the obvious)? Did they use pop-outs, time-dashes, etc?
Action's is pretty basic, but we were talking about techniques to up the ante.

It was pretty organic, but yeah, we did lots of pop-outs, dashes, flashbacks, the whole nine yards, as long it started and culminated in the Elevator. We did shows with the same trapped in a "blank" format as well. The Jury did an Elevator in a meat freezer in the OoB big show a couple years back if I recall correctly.

shando wrote:It was pretty organic, but yeah, we did lots of pop-outs, dashes, flashbacks, the whole nine yards, as long it started and culminated in the Elevator. We did shows with the same trapped in a "blank" format as well. The Jury did an Elevator in a meat freezer in the OoB big show a couple years back if I recall correctly.

i think it was the Cupholders who did it then.

the_reverend wrote:

shando wrote:It was pretty organic, but yeah, we did lots of pop-outs, dashes, flashbacks, the whole nine yards, as long it started and culminated in the Elevator. We did shows with the same trapped in a "blank" format as well. The Jury did an Elevator in a meat freezer in the OoB big show a couple years back if I recall correctly.

i think it was the Cupholders who did it then.

Right, my mistake. Jury was dead by then.

shando wrote:

the_reverend wrote:

shando wrote:It was pretty organic, but yeah, we did lots of pop-outs, dashes, flashbacks, the whole nine yards, as long it started and culminated in the Elevator. We did shows with the same trapped in a "blank" format as well. The Jury did an Elevator in a meat freezer in the OoB big show a couple years back if I recall correctly.

i think it was the Cupholders who did it then.

Right, my mistake. Jury was dead by then.

easy mistake to make, given the line ups...i only know because i remember cracking up laughing in the audience rather than onstage.

and THE JURY WILL NEVER DIE! SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS! ATTICA!

...ahem. this show sounds really cool! hope it goes well!

The Elevator Action run has been a blast. Special thanks to the Draft and the Level 6 troupes for seriously kicking ass at every show. The last ride of the September residency is Thursday night (9.30.10) at 8pm. Come on down. We're going up.

Yes come Thursday! There is a special happy hour beforehand at 5:30 so you can mix and mingle with improvisers and people from the community at large... fun!