Austin Improv

Saying that a show ISN'T good and then citing certain ambiguous Chronicle reviews to back up the statements is equally as bad box office manners as saying that one show is better than the other. I don't want to tolerate any more of this trash-talking although I assume that I won't have to once Kazillionaire's run ends. It started off as a joke, but now it's downright disrespectful.

I'm also upset that both the 8 oclock and the 8:30 improv shows aren't suggested when a customer arrives at 8:15 with no idea what they want to see. Sure, my primary concern is earning the Hideout money which would suggest that I'd prefer the 8 o'clock show to be pimped. But I find it's disrespectful to our renters and our friends to not suggest their show too.

And I am not too happy that threefer tickets were sold to people wanting to see Kazillionaire. For the future, suggesting both shows and asking patrons which show they want to see (in specific terms like "threefer or kazillionaire", not "improv?") seems like the best way to keep things sorted out and to keep our renters happy (to whom we most certainly have a resposibility). Rentals of the downstairs theatre tend to make the Hideout more money than the upstairs shows and I'd hope that we can get a reputation as good hosts so that people continue to rent from us.

As for the Chronicle review by Brenner...though he is honest in saying that there is comedic genius in the K* show, it's his final few words which give everyone who reads the article a negative impression of the show. That's why I think it was a dickhole review, because he overshadowed his praise with his negativity and no one remembers the praise. Sure, Brenner's done other good things for improv. But when people are reviewing a show based solely on the last few words of a REVIEW they read, without ever seeing the show, then there's a problem. Go see Kazillionaire! You'll laugh your ass off. That's a promise.

-Xaq Webb
(sorry for being a dickhole House Manager)

well, this is like salt in the wound. to have a strange review written about us that recommends people don't go see it and then to have someone quote that as a means to keep people away when they are in a neutral, albeit competitive, setting like the box office is disturbing.
i'd just like to wash my hands of all this bad mouthing at the box office. i certainly don't condone it and it is something i would never do. in that light, i would hope others would have the same courtesy, my crew included.

do we have to put down some yellow tape to cordon off a cease fire zone or can we all be adults and act professionally when dealing with the difficulties of having two spaces working at once?

jerome

Excuse me, but as far as I know when I am part of the host troupe for the evening, selling tickets for the AIC improv show - THAT'S WHAT I'M THERE TO SELL TICKETS FOR.
Lots of people came up and said, "I'm here for the comedy show." There was an equal number wanting to see their friends in the threefer (YM&G and GGG had several friends and family come) and those wanting to see the K* and I had to get them to clarify. It wasn't my job to sell K* tickets so I didn't, I said, "The guy selling those tickets will be here shortly." In no way would I want to sell someone a ticket for a show they didn't show up to see. Just like I didn't try to convince to Ghost Tour people to see improv instead when there dude was late.

As far as the chronicle review, another improviser came up and said, "Man, that was a harsh review."
And I quote myself, "Yeah, I was really surprised. Usually Brenner gives us better reviews. Maybe he has something against sketch we don't know about."
I for one, like sketch, hence my great commitment to Hoover's Blanket. So what would I have against the K* show? In fact, Roy and I have been trying to see this show for the past two weeks, but we've had other AIC commitments every single night (THURS-SAT). Tonight we're going to see it because it's the only time we could fit it in.

And I am not too happy that threefer tickets were sold to people wanting to see Kazillionaire. For the future, suggesting both shows and asking patrons which show they want to see (in specific terms like "threefer or kazillionaire", not "improv?") seems like the best way to keep things sorted out and to keep our renters happy (to whom we most certainly have a resposibility). Rentals of the downstairs theatre tend to make the Hideout more money than the upstairs shows and I'd hope that we can get a reputation as good hosts so that people continue to rent from us.

Here's exactly how that went down,
A woman walks up to me at the box office,
"Hi, I'm from Boston. I'm taking improv classes there and my teacher says I should see some Austin Improv while I'm here."
"Oh, so would you like to see the threefer show, three improv troupes at eight o' clock?"
Xaq butts in,
"Or you could see the downstairs K* show, it's got some improv in it."
She says, "I'm here to see the improv show."
And I think, well, her teacher probably meant for her to see the threefer, since it has been running for over a year by this point at least.
So one more time to clarify, " So would you like to see the threefer show or the show with sketch and improv?"
"Yes, the three one, that's the one I think I was told about."
And I sell her a ticket.

Another instance, when Xaq was not in the box office so how could he possibly know what I did or did not do,
"Hi, I'm here to see the improv show."
"The threefer or the downstairs K* show?"
"The improv show."
So I sell her a threefer ticket. I haven't seen the show yet, so I can't talk in any sort of detail, what's wrong with that clarification. I wasn't trying to steer her away from anything, why would I want a disappointed customer???

Trash-talking???
This is trash talking. This is unbelievably unprofessional. If you had a problem you should have approached us at the time. Instead of making vaque accusations here.
It was my first time running box, but I have been working in this theater for much longer than you have. I have no grudges against Jeremy or Madeline, and I have collaborated with them several times and I consider them good friends.

I NEVER said a show wasn't good. I haven't even seen it yet and I don't even joke in that manner.

I'm completely disgusted right now.
I work very hard to make sure we have a professional atmosphere at the Hideout. I show up on time and ready to work. I take the initaitive to be were I am supposed to be before someone has to ask. I am friendly to customers, even the ones who came up to me, obviously on the defensive saying,
"Where's my COMP ticket?!"

I think you are out of line and rude. I am very, very upset and embarrassed..

Everybody take a deep breath. This community loves you both. You both do good work. Everyone in this community wants everyone elses shows to go well and have good audiences; that support gives us all strength. We are in no way in any kind of real competition with any kind of real stakes. Let's all give the benefit of the doubt, address each other in civil private conversation and take more breaths.