Austin Improv

So I was watching a video of Amanda Palmer from the Dresden Dolls and she was jamming with Moby, Stephen Merritt and Neil Gaiman (really) and they were doing a cover "Science Fiction/Double Feature" from Rocky Horror.

It has me thinking about how musicians collaborate like this all the time. They just hop on stage with each other or work on each others albums.

Then I was thinking about the improv community in those terms. I think we are in a particularly fertile era of improv here in Austin where lots of people are creating some amazing visions. I was curious what would happen if people collaborated on a the vision itself.

So I thought of these groupings of people that I would be interested in seeing create something together. Not just play together mind you. We all do that all the time. I mean create something (it might not even be improvised).

Feel free to take this as a challenge. Feel free to post your own challenges.


Arthur Simone
Kareem Badr
Tom Booker

John Ratliff
Jordan Maxwell
Lauren Zinn

Jessica Arjet
Jill Bernard
Josh Krilov

Eric Heiberg
Kayla Freeman

Justin Davis
Audrey Sansom

Just some thoughts.

cooool!!!! love this!

Eric Heiberg
Kayla Freeman


I don't know if the world is ready for this... (Though, potential duo name: Free-Hugs)

Nicole Beckley wrote:Eric Heiberg
Kayla Freeman


I don't know if the world is ready for this... (Though, potential duo name: Free-Hugs)

YESSSS

Just to be clear. I'm not suggesting that these folks would be a troupe together. I just wonder what these creative forces would put out in the world together.

For instance I've seen what types of shows Arthur, Kareem and Tom have helmed. If they were the forces behind one show, what would that show be? Something that others might perform that would clearly have all of their imprints. Maybe it would be a short film. Maybe it would be a scripted show. Maybe an improv piece. It would not be a troupe though.

Asaf wrote:Just to be clear. I'm not suggesting that these folks would be a troupe together. I just wonder what these creative forces would put out in the world together.

For instance I've seen what types of shows Arthur, Kareem and Tom have helmed. If they were the forces behind one show, what would that show be? Something that others might perform that would clearly have all of their imprints. Maybe it would be a short film. Maybe it would be a scripted show. Maybe an improv piece. It would not be a troupe though.

This makes me want to start some sort of interactive guerilla happiness project (performance art-esque or community art installation or flash mob-like shenanigans?) with Heiberg. I have a feeling it would be mischievous and slightly cerebral and very fun. There are many other improvisers I can imagine having a flair for this sort of thing, too. Harnessing the jackpot of artistic vision we have in this improv community and translating it to other mediums is a great idea.

Interesting collaborations I'd like to see?

Adam Trabka, Shannon McCormick, & Kerri Lendo

Nathan Livni, Val Ward, & Halyn Erickson

Ryan Hill, Josh Gill, & Jason Vines


This is just the tip of the iceberg; the possibility of awesome combinations is endless.

Is it weird that I want to see some kind of character, Beyond Thunderdome-style, that is Jason Vines riding on the back of Alex Gray?

Asaf wrote:So I was watching a video of Amanda Palmer from the Dresden Dolls and she was jamming with Moby, Stephen Merritt and Neil Gaiman (really) and they were doing a cover "Science Fiction/Double Feature" from Rocky Horror.

(and, of course, this is the main thing i take from this...) link?

Moby's kind of the wild card for me in that mix, as the others are close friends/spouses and frequently collaborate. if you haven't listened to any of the stuff Gaiman and Palmer did with Ben Folds on the 8in8 project, it's pretty damn good.

Asaf wrote:John Ratliff
Jordan Maxwell
Lauren Zinn

were all three of us ever at a Rogue Scholars rehearsal together (other than the very first meeting)? i can't recall...but yes, i adore these two and will work with them again in a heartbeat. of course, i've got a very "i'll create anything with almost anyone, time permitting" mindset that often gets me into trouble.

Moby's kind of the wild card for me in that mix, as the others are close friends/spouses and frequently collaborate. if you haven't listened to any of the stuff Gaiman and Palmer did with Ben Folds on the 8in8 project, it's pretty damn good.

Anything Gaiman does is pretty damn good.

I would love to see a philanthropic collaboration put forth. It seems that many folks here have causes and projects they support, it would be great to see the collective creative force of AIC behind something unique.

Kayla Lane wrote:

Asaf wrote:Just to be clear. I'm not suggesting that these folks would be a troupe together. I just wonder what these creative forces would put out in the world together.

For instance I've seen what types of shows Arthur, Kareem and Tom have helmed. If they were the forces behind one show, what would that show be? Something that others might perform that would clearly have all of their imprints. Maybe it would be a short film. Maybe it would be a scripted show. Maybe an improv piece. It would not be a troupe though.

This makes me want to start some sort of interactive guerilla happiness project (performance art-esque or community art installation or flash mob-like shenanigans?) with Heiberg. I have a feeling it would be mischievous and slightly cerebral and very fun. There are many other improvisers I can imagine having a flair for this sort of thing, too. Harnessing the jackpot of artistic vision we have in this improv community and translating it to other mediums is a great idea.

Interesting collaborations I'd like to see?

Adam Trabka, Shannon McCormick, & Kerri Lendo

Nathan Livni, Val Ward, & Halyn Erickson

Ryan Hill, Josh Gill, & Jason Vines


This is just the tip of the iceberg; the possibility of awesome combinations is endless.

I accept. I vote for Val, Nathan and I to do an art installation. I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Terry wrote: Anything Gaiman does is pretty damn good.

it's true and cannot be denied save by liars, damn liars and fools.

I would like to see Kareem Badr and Cody Dearing do something.

Kayla Lane wrote: Ryan Hill, Josh Gill, & Jason Vines

Hard rock band. Hells yeah.

Kayla Lane wrote:

Asaf wrote: Adam Trabka, Shannon McCormick, & Kerri Lendo

Sub Byron Brown for Trabka, and the three of us just finished acting in a feature film that's pretty damn awesome.

Brad Hawkins wrote:I would like to see Kareem Badr and Cody Dearing do something.

double dare