Austin Improv

I got to say, I'm a bit cheesed off everytime I hear about this "long sad lull" in the current lore about the resurgence of improv in Austin. I'm really happy that improv is thriving in our fair burg and I offer many thanks to those of you who have increased the butts in seats and the number of troupes performing.

I appeared on the improv scene during this Long Sad Lull, way back in 2002. During this LSL, those of us who cared were still attending weekly Heroes rehearsal, and making sure Micetro was being put up week after week without much (ahem) help from the administration at the time. Girls Girls Girls was kicking serious ass monthly over at Arts on Real, sometimes doing sold out shows. NCT was still around. The Jury was together and performing regularly. Out of Bounds was happening, although on a smaller scale than the one this year.

It wasn't dead. And it wasn't sad, either.

I'm happy things are so awesome these days, but I'm sick of the efforts that those of us put in during this alleged "long sad lull" going unacknowledged.

Now lets get back to work, shall we?

It is because of your efforts that people who left long ago (due to restrictions on who and where they could play) had a place to come home too.

i think it was more of a shift and regroup than it was the dark ages. plenty of groups were getting good audiences on campus, at northcross mall, at the hideout, at arts on real, and even at the blue theatre. hell, the jury did a show on the steps of the capitol for 80 people.
what it reallya mounts to is press coverage and now that the scene in austin is receiving consistent and increasingly positive press attention, it appears as though (especially to the press that is covering it) things were sweet, died for a bit, and are now re-emerging. the truth is that great work was being done and good houses were being filled. there was just little to no attention from the press.
the shift happened because two big entities went bust, both associated with the same guy. the bad dog comedy theatre and Big Stinkin' both sank and if it wasn't for sean hill and some other key characters who lived in the shift for a few years, the scene would be completely different than what it is now.
what's good for the goose is good for the gander and even though some people are sometimes overlooked, myself included, it's great news that things are trending toward greatness. i agree with you, mo. i don't think there was any sadness or lulls. the new interest in improv in austin should be capitalized on to strengthen this new caste long into the future. and OOB should be wary of having its feet pulled out like BS.
right, i'm rambling.

b