Unnofficial Maestro Comments Thread

Roy Janik · Post by **Roy Janik** » March 12th, 2006, 11:55 am

Last night was a fun show. Congrats to Kareem on his win. I didn't think he had a princess in him, but that man is full of surprises. And thanks to Brian for working the lights for the first time. He made bold choices on scene endings, which is awesome.

Last night was strange because of how much the audience loved us. Even scenes I was in that I thought were lackluster got a tremendous response. I think it was in part due to the bonus point game Dave Wallace broke out at the top of the show. It required a large number of suggestions from the audience, and it got them engaged and energetic.

I've been in shows that worked the other way round- where I thought we put on a tremendous show and the audience never responded. And I must say that I prefer too much praise to too little. I thanked the audience as they left and they were all very happy and many of them said they would come back.

So hooray!

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » March 12th, 2006, 2:45 pm

Yeah, last night was definitely kind of weird. It wasn't a bad maestro, but we weren't clicking the way we should have been. And I was consistently surprised/confused by the audience's scoring.

It was one of those shows where it wasn't clear to me that any one player soared to the top of the pack, but sadly it wasn't because everyone was at the top of their game. Again, not that it was bad at all, but I know all the players involved and know I've seen all of them do a lot better. Just something to strive for next week.

Still, the bottom line is that the audience really enjoyed it. That's a big part of why we do shows, so weeeee!

HerrHerr · Post by **HerrHerr** » March 12th, 2006, 4:28 pm

Maestros have so stepped it up from a couple of years ago. I have so much fun watching the scenes from the sides and I think the audience digs it when they see we're having fun in all areas of the show.

There isn't a player over the past fews months that I haven't wanted to be on stage with. And there are a bunch of people I absolutely want to be in scenes with. I got to do that last night in every scene (but not with Kareem, not yet, it will happen again, it must, Gloria Swanson). The level of play is so high. The games are mostly fun too with cool new variances.

I agree. Shows where the audience is having a blast is what we aim for. We did that last night in spades. Woo-woo!!!

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » March 13th, 2006, 12:14 pm

I figured out another thing that felt a little weird about Maestro on Saturday. Making it film-themed, to coincide with SxSW was a great idea, but I think maybe some of the games/scenes were a little *too* centered on specific films. "Recreate a scene from film X" and the like. For me, I feel like my improv suffered because I didn't always have a really clear grasp on the plot of the film we were supposed to be re-creating/lampooning. When a game is set up as a scene or re-cap from a film, it feels like a big part of the expectations set up for the audience will involve hitting the marks of the film really well. For example, in the Independence Day scene, I really wanted to come out as Jeff Goldblum, but I know I can't do his voice right, so it wouldn't have been good. And the scene about Annie--I don't even remember how that film ends! I think that's the reason that quite a few (all?) of my scenes went meta.

Maybe more film-oriented games, but not ones that were direct pop-culture references, would have been better. Oscar-winning moments, or recreating a minute-long scene in 3 genres, etc. Even interior monologue, with maybe a film-slant.

But like I said...the audience enjoyed it, so meh.

fbillac · Post by **fbillac** » March 14th, 2006, 10:49 pm

One thing that has always been a point of conflict for improvisors is "Do we play for the audience or do we play for ourselves?". This is especially evident in short form/game playing shows, like the Maestro, when most if not all of the players have been exposed to other, more structured, long-form genres. It's an interesting question and merits some thought.

Who do we play for?

An improvisor who leans toward the long form might play for the art of the scene and strive to acheive that holiest of moments when the audience "gets it". A short form player might just be waiting for the other holiest of moments, when the audience laughs!

Or is it the other way around?

The answer for me is pretty simple. I play to the top of my ability, no matter what the style may be, everytime I hit the stage (for myself) because when I go to a live show I expect nothing less from those who are performing for me (for the audience).

I beleive it is incumbant on us as performers to never let that audience gain control of the show. They paid to see us but we OWN them for that slice of time. If we lose focus because the audience starts to feel awkward or did not enjoy a game or agree with a choice that was made, then we failed to maintain OWNERSHIP of our audience.

We build wonders and create beauty through laughter and teamwork. We astonish patron after patron with our speed, timing and genious. We do it for them because we are able and skilled and very VERY talented. Most audience members are impressed even with a bad show because the nature of improv itself is similar to a stunt show. If a catastrophy occurs, that's a shame but DAMN that was freakin cool!

Sorry to ramble but ....

That's my $0.02

-Dav

nadine · Post by **nadine** » March 26th, 2006, 11:21 am

Hey, I just wanted to echo Jason's comments that the support from the improvisers last night at meastro was awesome. It was the first meastro for Jason and me.

And I knew that you guys were taking care of me. Thank you for letting me hang on to your coattails.

nadine.

Roy Janik · Post by **Roy Janik** » March 26th, 2006, 12:18 pm

Last night was a really strong, fun Maestro and I had a blast co-directing. And holy crap if "the show must go on" wasn't one of the funniest things ever. I was proud of everyone's commitment to being dead. I'm sure there are some fucked up knees today.

HerrHerr · Post by **HerrHerr** » March 26th, 2006, 6:53 pm

My right hip is bruised.

And it's worth it! Just wish I could've seen the madness.

nadine · Post by **nadine** » March 26th, 2006, 7:04 pm

Marc went crazy and took a lot of pics, but many of them was blurry because he didn't want to keep flashing the audience.
http://www.improvforevil.com/ife/2006_03_25_maestro/

And because we're improv for evil.. here's a .avi of Jason's funky town dance:
http://www.improvforevil.com/ife/2006_0 ... I_3720.AVI

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » March 26th, 2006, 10:57 pm

My left knee has a nice bruise and my left ankle is making nice popping sounds.

I still wish that I had been dropped on my face, inducing a broken nose. I was silently hoping I would end up with blood streaming down my face throughout the scene. I actually have no idea what Chris was saying during the scene because I was so into being "dead." Awesome.

ChrisTrew.Com · Post by **ChrisTrew.Com** » March 27th, 2006, 12:54 am

That was really fun.
Seriously, I felt like the hungriest dude at the tastiest buffet in the world. A floor full of improvisers dying* to support the game made it super easy and wonderful. Love. Love, love, love.

*Zing!

Roy Janik · Post by **Roy Janik** » April 23rd, 2006, 8:32 pm

Last night was such a damn good Maestro. I loved every minute of it, and so did the audience.

Mike · Post by **Mike** » May 28th, 2006, 2:45 am

Last night was a really great Maestro. Congrats to Kaci on her first-ever win, and thanks a lot to Roy and Wes for directing.

I can now add to my resume "Emmaciated Horse" as one of my skills.

Wesley · Post by **Wesley** » May 28th, 2006, 12:58 pm

I think emaciated horse was the best possible suggestion ever for a fairy tale.

Roy Janik · Post by **Roy Janik** » May 28th, 2006, 2:26 pm

Yay! How many times were you ridden in that Maestro, Mike?

And congrats to Kaci.

And to everyone else for putting on a kick-ass show.