Austin Improv

As everyone knows, the improv community has grown astronomically in the past few years. The enthusiasm and talent far exceeds the available stage time. I know that the people that schedule the shows at all of the theaters have a hard time figuring out how to encourage the new people, while still showcasing the established talented troupes that bring in the money to keep the whole machine running.

When my troupe first finished classes and wanted a chance to play in front of an audience, it was pretty much the 3fer or the Monday Night Mash...those were the slots for new folks to get their feet wet. It amazed me that the people that were booking the Mash would give stage time not only to new troupes, but people they had never even seen before. I was recently reminded that Coldtowne would perform at the Carousel Lounge early on and that the Mash started not at a theater, but at a coffee shop. When the slots started getting harder to get, it occurred to me that maybe that was the key...thinking outside the box with regards to where we can perform improv.

What if there were such a place...a space that was that was not associated with any theater or format, it was just a performance space? What would be the best use of a new performance space? Would it be best used as a place to give new and established troupes both another place to do their thing (like the Mash and the 3fer)? Would a jam-like setting, like the Institution jam or the Merlin Works mixer, be a better way to give even more people time to play and get comfortable, as well as, facilitate imps meeting imps? Would some combination show/jam, like they've been doing at Coldtowne be the way to go? Are there voids in what's available that haven't even occurred to me?

I'm curious as to what people wish there was more of...or what they wish existed that is currently missing.

What if there were such a place...a space that was that was not associated with any theater or format, it was just a performance space? What would be the best use of a new performance space?

Heck yeah! Bout time Austin had a Playground.

http://www.the-playground.com/

Nancy wrote: I was recently reminded that Coldtowne would perform at the Carousel Lounge early on and that the Mash started not at a theater, but at a coffee shop.

Yeah! PGraph's first regular slot was at The Carousel Lounge as part of Jerm Pollet's variety show.

I'm a huge fan of groups striking out and setting up their own shows at coffeeshops, bars, or wherever.

Nancy wrote:What would be the best use of a new performance space? Would it be best used as a place to give new and established troupes both another place to do their thing (like the Mash and the 3fer)? Would a jam-like setting, like the Institution jam or the Merlin Works mixer, be a better way to give even more people time to play and get comfortable, as well as, facilitate imps meeting imps? Would some combination show/jam, like they've been doing at Coldtowne be the way to go? Are there voids in what's available that haven't even occurred to me?

I think creating a space to give troupes shows to do their things would be a good start. There are so many groups, many of them rehearsing weekly. It'd be awesome to give them more chances to perform. Work as a non-profit or co-op, much like the AIC shows circa 2006: troupes perform and in turn give back by helping to run the place on nights they're not performing.

Roy Janik wrote:I think creating a space to give troupes shows to do their things would be a good start. There are so many groups, many of them rehearsing weekly. It'd be awesome to give them more chances to perform.

I concur with a caveat: if you decide to feature new troupes, try to feature one experienced troupe to headline. I think that's what helped the Mash work so well - a proven group could right the ship on a night where the first two were really, really green.

Thanks...a Playground would be great! It is helpful to hear from the perspective of the people actually doing the teaching and the scheduling. I think you have a good idea of what people need.

We have a handle on a place that, if it pans out, would likely give us the freedom to do whatever we want. This is not a theater, but more of the coffeehouse setting. I threw this out there to gauge interest and to generate ideas. I really would like to hear from people who are looking for more stage time as to what they would want.

I sure hope that this isn't an accurate measure of the interest...but if it is, I guess it would be better to know sooner than later.

Nancy wrote:I sure hope that this isn't an accurate measure of the interest...but if it is, I guess it would be better to know sooner than later.

I assure you it's not an accurate measure of interest... there's plenty of folks dying for more stage time.

Nancy,

I think this is a great idea. I love it. I am a bit over committed through August, but I am interested.

Once you get a date for you core responders to sit down and discuss the details, I would like to be at the table.

Redundant Summary:
The offer of more stage time but balanced against troupe/player investment of time and effort sounds a bit like work but a lot like love.

Looking forward to hearing more,

Paul

Personally I think offering stage time is better than another jam. I think between the jams and mixers at the various theaters, that's well covered. I think what Brad suggested of having a more 'experienced' troupe headline and giving slots to newer troupes for openers sounds nice to me. I'd love to have the opportunity to do more shows at a new venue, and I guarantee there are plenty of other folks who would too.

I felt like the Mash took off mostly because of Coldtowne's reputation. Students would come after their class. Their friends were playing. It's free and there's nothing else on Mondays. Coldtowne's a fun space. The coffee shop didn't have that comfort factor. The audience wasn't buying coffee or anything. I don't think that's what Kick Butt hoped for. Then at Coldtowne, more people heard of the Mash and wanted to play, plus the scene was growing. That's my interpretation.
I offer that to add to the headliner suggestion. Nancy's troupe played Whip-In and I'm sure you're familiar with the challenges of performing in a shop. And it can be hard to get a show thing going with audiences. Location is important. Personally, I'll see a flyer for weeks/months and keep meaning to go try out some weekly show, but come that performance night I'll be somewhere else going, Oh Shit. I keep meaning to go see that. Well, Next Week! Next week. Next week.
I too have tried to imagine where to set up a new performance space. So, I think it's a great idea, Nancy!

Nancy wrote: What if there were such a place...a space that was that was not associated with any theater or format, it was just a performance space?

That would be fantastic.

Nancy wrote: What would be the best use of a new performance space? Would it be best used as a place to give new and established troupes both another place to do their thing (like the Mash and the 3fer)?

I agree that having a mix of established and new troupes would be ideal.

Nancy wrote: I'm curious as to what people wish there was more of...or what they wish existed that is currently missing.

I also wish for more good practice space options.

Yeah, I agree that practice space options would be fabulous. I don't see that right now, but if a good rapport was established with the place, it could happen for larger things like auditions.

Katie, you hit on the main things that have come up amongst ourselves. How do we get people to come when we aren't Coldtowne, or the Hideout etc. The woman that I have been talking to seems only to want that people spend some money. The benefit of this place is that the room can be closed off from the rest of the shop, but with glass so that the curious might enter. I am hoping that if it is closed off, it would do away with any people that aren't there to watch a performance.

It takes time and consistency to build an audience, no matter what kind of work you're doing. ColdTowne didn't have reliable houses for the first two or three years we were open, and even now there are slots that can be a crap shoot.

If you're doing this in an alternative space, make sure the owner understands what it's going to take to build an audience -- Months and months! Also, make sure that performers know that buying some coffee or a drink is part of the deal. That'll go along way towards making everyone happy.

How to get people out in the first place? There's no formula that works, especially for shows without strong hooks and marketing angles. Facebook. Do512. Fliers. You have to hit all of them if you want any of them to work. Even then it'll be a crap shoot. Your best bet is to schedule a group who still has outside friends who'll come see them :>