Austin Improv

add another topic if the one you want isn't here.

edit: it won't let me edit the poll but i would like to add:

Minority Rights (how do we take care of and include a wider variety of the minority viewpoints in our artform; ie race, gender, class.)

i want to vote for minority rights.

andrea wrote:i want to vote for minority rights.

Wow, that's an awesome topic. Now we have to make sure that we've got people to talk about this kind of stuff, and not just a bunch of middle class white dudes.

shando wrote:

andrea wrote:i want to vote for minority rights.

Wow, that's an awesome topic. Now we have to make sure that we've got people to talk about this kind of stuff, and not just a bunch of middle class white dudes.

If that's in fact what we vote for.

Shaved Lamb wrote:add another topic if the one you want isn't here.

edit: it won't let me edit the poll but i would like to add:

Minority Rights (how do we take care of and include a wider variety of the minority viewpoints in our artform; ie race, gender, class.)

Is "rights" really the correct word here? Also, I don't think there is really a minority gender. As for class, the minority would be the upper class. I agree that we should include more viewpoints of the top 2% earners.

York99 wrote:Is "rights" really the correct word here? Also, I don't think there is really a minority gender. As for class, the minority would be the upper class. I agree that we should include more viewpoints of the top 2% earners.

uh, no bits please. this is a serious discussion.

I agree that "rights" isn't the correct word, though.

Minority Issues? Minority Involvement? Diversifying the Improv Community?

Rights sounds like we're actively excluding minorities, or have deluded ourselves into believing that we have the ability to take someone's rights from them.

beardedlamb wrote:

York99 wrote:Is "rights" really the correct word here? Also, I don't think there is really a minority gender. As for class, the minority would be the upper class. I agree that we should include more viewpoints of the top 2% earners.

uh, no bits please. this is a serious discussion.

All except for the last sentence was serious. I appreciate the condescension, though.

My point was to try to see what you were getting at. My guess would be something like "Increasing the Diversity of Players and/or Audiences" as the panel discussion topic. Correct?

I know this panel wouldn't just be for Austin improvisers, but do we really have a minority issue in Austin or in improv in general?

Are we talking about how to get minorities more involved in improv? Are we talking how to play minorities in less sterotypical ways and represent them better in performance? My feeling is that every community would love to have more minority representation.

Currently, the biggest issue, I think, is getting butts in seats--selling improv to the community at large. How to promote improv, our big Achiles heel here because there is no shortage in talent and energy around here. And I think this might apply to those from out of state. Sure, you've got uber cities where improv is set up now after years and years of work, but what about cities like Austin that struggle?

I'd vote for that. Good topic.

I hate this. fixating on exclusionary "problems" with improv and how to "fix" them seems regressive and guilt-inspiring more than anything.

Do a panel on the state of the art, let's talk about the core impulses that drive us, where we find common ground with other disciplines. How do we relate to jazz improv? Freestyle rap? Improv dance? Performance art?

I want improv to get away from acting like a nerdy after-school theater or d&d club talking down to the sole minority or girl in the room, I want us to talk more about how we're all advancing on shared artistic ideals regardless of identity. What binds us together? Hope of money? fame? or that delicious "something else"?

that's what I would want from a panel.

Panel: Should you move to Austin?

British cars, mini-fridges, and Johnson get in my office: Which Improv Bits Need To Be Retired?

mcnichol wrote:British cars, mini-fridges, and Johnson get in my office: Which Improv Bits Need To Be Retired?

Bob IS a genius...

That God he's on my team!

Dave wrote:

mcnichol wrote:British cars, mini-fridges, and Johnson get in my office: Which Improv Bits Need To Be Retired?

Bob IS a genius...

That God he's on my team!

Yeah, that shit's funny.