Austin Improv

How long should a student wait before joining/starting a troupe to perform in and around Austin?

I ask this because weekly classes and watching Improv isn't enough for me. I want more stage time.

Thanks

Zar

There can't be a perfect answer. But right now is as good a time as any to hold weekly practices with a troupe. Meet at someone's house and go right into a montage or have someone brainstorm prompts for games. The group will come to recognize when it is time to submit to show schedules.

I'd be down in a few weeks. (provided it's not in Manor )



Welcome to the forums Zar!

- Messy Jesse

i say start a troupe as soon as you feel you're ready to start a troupe. find some like minded people you enjoy playing with, hang out, talk about formats, start rehearsing and playing together. it could all fall apart and be a monumental failure, but why let that stop you? isn't that the whole idea of improv? if it crashes and burns, you pick up the pieces, move on, take the lessons and start/join another troupe.

now, it might still be a little while before you get put on a schedule for a show (or at least a really good slot), but that's all part of it. paying your dues. building an audience. getting good by toiling in the trenches. also find alternative spaces to perform. all the world's a stage after all...nothing's stopping you from jumping up on it.

You might find it easier to start a troupe amongst some of your classmates. They are usually as hungry for stage time and knowledge.

I coach two groups, both of which formed from their respective classes, and the extra time they spend together shows up in their regular class as well, and because of that they make discoveries about their own skills/needs early on.

The one thing that I would be sure to advise you on, is to get a director/coach that is not apart of the group. No one in the group should be giving anyone else direction, and even the most seasoned pros find it to be iffy in some projects to be a player/director.

Create a list of people you guys either admire, or enjoy the teaching style, and make some determination on what you (as a group) wish to accomplish with the craft. I know you want stage time, but it is easier to start if you have a focus on creating something specific.

Choose a format, or do montages, but make a decision on something early so you are working on a goal right away. Now this goal can change as you begin to work, like you may create your own form, or what have you, but at least you aren't spending the first session with your coach, deciding what you will do.

On top of that, always be respectful, be honest, and have fun.

PyroDan wrote:The one thing that I would be sure to advise you on, is to get a director/coach that is not apart of the group. No one in the group should be giving anyone else direction, and even the most seasoned pros find it to be iffy in some projects to be a player/director.

Oh, this is something I have a lot of thoughts about, so I'm going to start a new thread, so as not to derail this conversation.

Do it. Let the market decide if it's a good or bad idea.

Wait zero. Every day that you don't jump in will be a day that you regret later.

kaci_beeler wrote:

PyroDan wrote:The one thing that I would be sure to advise you on, is to get a director/coach that is not apart of the group. No one in the group should be giving anyone else direction, and even the most seasoned pros find it to be iffy in some projects to be a player/director.

Oh, this is something I have a lot of thoughts about, so I'm going to start a new thread, so as not to derail this conversation.

i had a few as well, but i'll take them to your new thread...

jillybee72 wrote:Do it. Let the market decide if it's a good or bad idea.

Ayn Randprov?

Eleazar wrote:How long should a student wait before joining/starting a troupe to perform in and around Austin?

I ask this because weekly classes and watching Improv isn't enough for me. I want more stage time.

Thanks

Zar

Zar-
My troupe was formed out of my entire class, at the end of Level 2. After 10 weeks of learning and performing improv together in class, we developed an awesome chemistry and admiration for one another. We decided that we wanted to form a troupe and went with it. My troupe continues to work out our "kinks", as I'm sure all new troupes do, but we have really begun to develop that "group mind" thinking. We still have much work to do as a group, but we love and trust eachother, and it shows on stage.

I'm not sure what theater you are with, but my theater allowed us to do shows very soon after we became a troupe. After a couple of shows, we were asked to become a house troupe and we are now performing regularly. I know in some theaters, they hold auditions. I'm guessing that's mostly for house troupes? However, you can definitely form a troupe on your own and start performing around town at "Cagematches", "Monday Night Mash", "The Main Event", etc...or whatever it's called at your respective theater. These forums give lesser experienced troupes an opportunity to perform and gain stage time around town. Anyway, I totally understand where you're coming from with your desire for stage time. Improv is infectious and as soon as you begin taking classes and get a little stage time, you want more and more of it;)

About coaching- We decided to get a coach right away and it has been very beneficial to us. Our coach is a very seasoned improviser and performer, which is probably something to keep in mind when you are deciding on a coach. Make sure it's someone with good improv chops and performing experience, and not just someone you think is really swell. We sometimes get off task when we have our uncoached rehearsals, so it's good to have the coach there to "reel us back in", so to speak. One of our theater directors recommended to me that new improvisers/troupes should be coached, at first, then you can back off, after you've been performing together for a while. However, I know of some very seasoned troupes around town that are still being coached. It just depends on the troupes attitude toward coaching? Kaci mentioned her thoughts about coaching on the new thread she started, and while I definitely see her point, I'm thankful we have a coach. It's a necessity for us, since we're such a young troupe.

I hope we've all answered some questions for you, and also that this was somewhat helpful? Good luck in forming a troupe and most importantly, remember to have fun with said troupe!

-Britt

I've formed a couple of troupes -- one from classmates, one with a bunch of women, and one I now cast per run of shows. There is no time like the present. If you have the notion to do it, it is time.

Some things I suggest: Find a couple of people you think are fun to play with and ask them to band together. Start small and gather fun players together so that everyone enjoys playing together. Having a balanced play-energy is important.

Also, you don't need to WAIT to be put on someone's calendar. The Monday Night Mash (Snackers) and the original Cagematch (AIC) were both started by groups who wanted more play time. There are a lot of venues around town who are or might be open to having you come perform -- especially if you can commit to a weekly show. Trick is to find people committed to playing together.

Pgraph, Coldtowne, and Snackers all had weekly shows in their infancy that helped them grow as a troupe.

Good Luck!!

When you no longer need to ask the question, the answer will be made clear...

Sorry, just felt like being a Master Po asshat for a minute.

That said, I concur with Jill, but it's not Ann Randprov. It's Smith, Adamprov.

mpbrockman wrote:When you no longer need to ask the question, the answer will be made clear...

Sorry, just felt like being a Master Po asshat for a minute.

That said, I concur with Jill, but it's not Ann Randprov. It's Smith, Adamprov.

when you can snatch the suggestion from the invisible hand of the market, then you will be ready...

mpbrockman wrote:Ann Rand

Ayn, as in rhymes with "nine".

bradisntclever wrote:

mpbrockman wrote:Ann Rand

Ayn, as in rhymes with "nine".

Yah, typing too fast.

My first troupe was with fellow Level 1 students at ColdTowne to compete in a cagematch. We'd been in classes for maybe 6 weeks when we formed, though we were Level 2 veterans w/ 3 months experience by the time the cagematch went down. We also hired a coach to coach us several times. (I *really* recommend a coach, esp. essential for beginning troupes).

In retrospect, this was a great way to start a troupe and to have my first on-stage experience. From taking classes, we all knew that we liked each other and had fun playing together. Signing up for the cagematch gave us a definite goal (be ready to perform by X date). The coaching was invaluable. (The fact that our coach was Tami Nelson didn't hurt either.)

If you're currently in classes and feel the itch to perform, I'd say just pull the trigger, get people together that you like playing with, and start rehearsing.