OK, regardless of whether you subscribe to the Chicago or San Fran style of improv, regardless of whether you take the first suggestion or drill down for more, regardless even of whether you think the AIC should have more or less issue camps, there is one thing we can all agree on: Improv is one of the most white-bread, non-diverse communities around.
So, how do we change this? How do we reach out, advertise to, and incorporate more "minorities" and cultural subgroups? There are just as many non-white, non-straight, non-male suckers willing to pay for classes as there are white, hetero man suckers, but how do we get them?
In this, the first of many such bleeding-heart, liberal, left-leaning, diversity-minded propaganda posts--or as I like to call it, improvitive action--I would like to ask you how you think we best reach out to the minority populations in and around Austin.
I am currently working on a list of print media outlets for potential advertisement placement. Do yo know of any good magazines or newspapers that may fit this bill?
What other ways can you think of for the AIC to make itself more well-known and more welcoming to minority communities in our area? What minority communities are there? Which should we target first? Second?
Advertising improv to minorities...
Anything about the AIC itself.
Moderators: arclight, happywaffle
Bain in '08!
What if we talked to leaders within these artistic communities? Surely the guy who runs Latino Comedy Project, whose name escapes me right now, would have some ideas about how to reach young people who might be interested in improv if they knew it existed. Similarly, thirty minutes with a theater prof at Huston-Tillotson could yield similar insights.
Politically incorrect note: Guilty white liberals (points to self) sometimes have a tendency to overvalue input from minorities just because it comes from minorities. I'm not suggesting that we take every suggestion we get outright, or assume that we should do what they would do in our position. I just think it's a good place to start.
What if we talked to leaders within these artistic communities? Surely the guy who runs Latino Comedy Project, whose name escapes me right now, would have some ideas about how to reach young people who might be interested in improv if they knew it existed. Similarly, thirty minutes with a theater prof at Huston-Tillotson could yield similar insights.
Politically incorrect note: Guilty white liberals (points to self) sometimes have a tendency to overvalue input from minorities just because it comes from minorities. I'm not suggesting that we take every suggestion we get outright, or assume that we should do what they would do in our position. I just think it's a good place to start.
-
- Mo Daviau Offline
- Posts: 1643
- Joined: August 11th, 2005, 3:14 pm
- Location: Austin then Ann Arbor, MI (as of 8/11)
- Contact:
The name escaping you is Adrian Villegas.
I spoke to a black woman waiting in line for tickets at OoB and really tried to sell her on classes, and gave her all pertinent info, but I guess she drifted away...
My high school, which at the time was 8% white, had an improv troupe. Despite the school being 70% latino and 22% asian or black, the improv troupe while I was in it was all white except for one guy who was Mexican.
We also seem to be low on the gay folk these days, too.
BTW, I went to the same high school as Mario Lopez from Saved By The Bell. Seriously.
I spoke to a black woman waiting in line for tickets at OoB and really tried to sell her on classes, and gave her all pertinent info, but I guess she drifted away...
My high school, which at the time was 8% white, had an improv troupe. Despite the school being 70% latino and 22% asian or black, the improv troupe while I was in it was all white except for one guy who was Mexican.
We also seem to be low on the gay folk these days, too.
BTW, I went to the same high school as Mario Lopez from Saved By The Bell. Seriously.
-
- kbadr Offline
- Posts: 3614
- Joined: August 23rd, 2005, 9:00 am
- Location: Austin, TX (Kareem Badr)
- Contact:
ratliff wrote:Politically incorrect note: Guilty white liberals (points to self) sometimes have a tendency to overvalue input from minorities just because it comes from minorities. I'm not suggesting that we take every suggestion we get outright, or assume that we should do what they would do in our position. I just think it's a good place to start.
So this IS an improv discussion.BAIN wrote:...regardless of whether you take the first suggestion or drill down for more...
I wish to register a complaint. Should Wes' nemesis be campaigning for him? It doesn't seem right.
You work your life away and what do they give?
You're only killing yourself to live
What about a themed evening/show? TNA would be a good opportunity to get a couple of different acts in from, say, an all hispanic or all african-american background.
It doesn't even have to be the performers on stage necessarily that shows the inclusiveness, but the act itself. Perhaps have a one-time Sunday night program with 2 or 3 troupes performing but bill it as 'gay night' or something and publicize it in the gay press / other venues. This would be a good one for audience building also because many of the gay friends I've had were very proud of the taste-maker status that the community has earned in the popular consciousness.
Also, what are some local bands that have followings that have a different look than our own or have a fun/improvisational vibe? We can give free tickets to them as fan giveaways at one of their shows or just buddy up for an occasional endorsement on stage that we can in turn reciprocate.
Those are 'Pull' tactics, but perhaps what is called for in our low-awareness artform is more of a 'Push' marketing strategy so that people know what improv actually is. By that I mean, get the performance out to where the audience is instead of finding ways to get the audience in where the performers are. I think Jeremy was working on something similar to this, though maybe not targeting minority venues.
It doesn't even have to be the performers on stage necessarily that shows the inclusiveness, but the act itself. Perhaps have a one-time Sunday night program with 2 or 3 troupes performing but bill it as 'gay night' or something and publicize it in the gay press / other venues. This would be a good one for audience building also because many of the gay friends I've had were very proud of the taste-maker status that the community has earned in the popular consciousness.
Also, what are some local bands that have followings that have a different look than our own or have a fun/improvisational vibe? We can give free tickets to them as fan giveaways at one of their shows or just buddy up for an occasional endorsement on stage that we can in turn reciprocate.
Those are 'Pull' tactics, but perhaps what is called for in our low-awareness artform is more of a 'Push' marketing strategy so that people know what improv actually is. By that I mean, get the performance out to where the audience is instead of finding ways to get the audience in where the performers are. I think Jeremy was working on something similar to this, though maybe not targeting minority venues.
Last edited by Miggy on September 29th, 2006, 3:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- kbadr Offline
- Posts: 3614
- Joined: August 23rd, 2005, 9:00 am
- Location: Austin, TX (Kareem Badr)
- Contact:
Doing a "gay" night or "{insert minority here}" night seems like pandering to me. But my opinion might be in the (?!?) minority here.
What do other theatre groups/programs do to reach out to minorities? I'm theatre-ignorant, so I have no idea about such things.
What do other theatre groups/programs do to reach out to minorities? I'm theatre-ignorant, so I have no idea about such things.
You work your life away and what do they give?
You're only killing yourself to live
-
- nadine Offline
- Posts: 915
- Joined: November 28th, 2005, 1:05 pm
- Location: quantum probability
- Contact:
This African-American performing arts festival is happening right now. their lineup seems to have plays and dance.. no improv. Maybe next year? Contact info is on the article. Go Bain!
http://www.austin360.com/arts/content/a ... 24bam.html
"ProArts launches Austin's first African American performing arts festival
Two-week festival builds bridges between Austin's black artists and their national peers"
"What's it like for an African American theater artist in Austin?
"I feel like I'm in a vacuum here, a void," says writer and performer Zell Miller III. "
http://www.austin360.com/arts/content/a ... 24bam.html
"ProArts launches Austin's first African American performing arts festival
Two-week festival builds bridges between Austin's black artists and their national peers"
"What's it like for an African American theater artist in Austin?
"I feel like I'm in a vacuum here, a void," says writer and performer Zell Miller III. "
I agree with Kareem, for maybe slightly different reasons. Until we actually get some minorities participating, branding something as a minority night seems like asking for trouble.
I think some gay/black/Asian/Latino people would be into the pride aspect and enjoy the idea of it being called out, and I think some gay/black/Asian/Latino people would like to be considered performers first and foremost without reference to their secondary characteristics. (As in: "She's the best female improviser in the AIC.") I think it would be a nice problem to have, though, and the way to get to that point is to jack up the diversity of the community if at all possible.
Until then, I suggest we follow the lead of white elites throughout our nation's history, and ask Gene and Nadine to surrender their identities as individuals and instead act as surrogates for their entire genetic subset, so we can ask them questions like, "What's the deal with Asians and MSG?" and expect them to have an answer.
I think some gay/black/Asian/Latino people would be into the pride aspect and enjoy the idea of it being called out, and I think some gay/black/Asian/Latino people would like to be considered performers first and foremost without reference to their secondary characteristics. (As in: "She's the best female improviser in the AIC.") I think it would be a nice problem to have, though, and the way to get to that point is to jack up the diversity of the community if at all possible.
Until then, I suggest we follow the lead of white elites throughout our nation's history, and ask Gene and Nadine to surrender their identities as individuals and instead act as surrogates for their entire genetic subset, so we can ask them questions like, "What's the deal with Asians and MSG?" and expect them to have an answer.
I suppose it could be seen as such but the 'gay night' idea and the latino/african-american theme were essentially two different ideas. I don't think we should advertise an evening as 'Black Night'. I'm really not suggesting that. It would just happen and hopefully audience members would see folks like themselves on stage or in the audience and feel welcome coming back a second time. I was just suggesting getting a couple acts together in order to get critical mass.
Pandering is appealing to people's lowest tastes in order to achieve something and I don't reccomend we do that. Targeting a certain audience is not pandering. 'Gay Nights' happen all the time in unlikely venues (e.g. Disney World). I'm not gay myself but I can understand the desire for community and why it would be symbolically important for an entertainment venue to reach out to one's community and also to know you have a safe place to go for comedy since there's no shortage of gay jokes out there.
Pandering is appealing to people's lowest tastes in order to achieve something and I don't reccomend we do that. Targeting a certain audience is not pandering. 'Gay Nights' happen all the time in unlikely venues (e.g. Disney World). I'm not gay myself but I can understand the desire for community and why it would be symbolically important for an entertainment venue to reach out to one's community and also to know you have a safe place to go for comedy since there's no shortage of gay jokes out there.
Last edited by Miggy on September 29th, 2006, 3:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- phlounderphil Offline
- Posts: 621
- Joined: August 15th, 2005, 3:07 am
- Location: Austin
- Contact:
Coming to the November Blank Show...
Slam Poetry + Improv.
This will be heavily advertised in the slam poetry community and will feature AT LEAST two "minority" poets in it's 3-night run. Maybe even MORE!
I will post another thread seeking volunteers to perform/tech this show, but for now, consider this my input into the discussion on how to "attract"
minorities.
You really do have to pander to your audience.
Slam Poetry + Improv.
This will be heavily advertised in the slam poetry community and will feature AT LEAST two "minority" poets in it's 3-night run. Maybe even MORE!
I will post another thread seeking volunteers to perform/tech this show, but for now, consider this my input into the discussion on how to "attract"
minorities.
You really do have to pander to your audience.
-
- improvstitute Offline
- Posts: 790
- Joined: May 16th, 2006, 12:14 am
Guilty As Charged
I'm having a lot of trouble not typing the phrase "Negro Finding Committee."
Just saying.
Is anyone here actively trying to exclude minorities? Is anyone actively trying to recruit whites? Does the idea of a "minority" night seem condescending to anyone?
Just asking.
"Hi, we'd like you to join our community because you're a minority."
"Umm, gee. That makes me feel welcome."
I'm progressive, liberal, pro diversity etc... But I don't think we're talking about Plessy V Ferguson here either.
Am I being a dick?
Just saying.
Is anyone here actively trying to exclude minorities? Is anyone actively trying to recruit whites? Does the idea of a "minority" night seem condescending to anyone?
Just asking.
"Hi, we'd like you to join our community because you're a minority."
"Umm, gee. That makes me feel welcome."
I'm progressive, liberal, pro diversity etc... But I don't think we're talking about Plessy V Ferguson here either.
Am I being a dick?
--Jastroch
"Racewater dishtrack. Finese red dirt warfs. Media my volumn swiftly" - Arrogant.
"Racewater dishtrack. Finese red dirt warfs. Media my volumn swiftly" - Arrogant.
Nevermind. Forget I mentioned it. It was a dumb idea. We do dumber things in corporate America all the time in the name of diversity... maybe I let it sink into my brain.
All the same, I wish Wes well. Sometimes effort needs to be made and no matter how much we want something to be, it doesn't just happen without some action.
All the same, I wish Wes well. Sometimes effort needs to be made and no matter how much we want something to be, it doesn't just happen without some action.
Last edited by Miggy on September 29th, 2006, 4:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- nadine Offline
- Posts: 915
- Joined: November 28th, 2005, 1:05 pm
- Location: quantum probability
- Contact:
Re: Guilty As Charged
Ok. What's the point of your post? To say that Wes shouldn't even bother?Jastroch wrote:Is anyone here actively trying to exclude minorities? Is anyone actively trying to recruit whites? Does the idea of a "minority" night seem condescending to anyone?
Just asking.
"Hi, we'd like you to join our community because you're a minority."
"Umm, gee. That makes me feel welcome."
I'm progressive, liberal, pro diversity etc... But I don't think we're talking about Plessy V Ferguson here either.
Am I being a dick?
I know when a girl expresses interest in improv, I'm like. Yeah! Join! I would so like to see more girls around. But that doesn't mean when a white dude wants to join I get all discouraging. But am I extra excited when an asian girl express interest? Heck yeah. I'm sure you'd be excited if you found out that there maybe folks from New Orleans/your hometown/your drum circle wanted to take improv classes...
There is no harm in advertising in Asian magazines or taking part in something like the African American Performing Arts Festival.
If you don't like to think of it as minority-specific, then think of it as a potential base of new consumers.
Nadine