Maestro 101

[acrouch]

The Hideout is introducing a new class to the line-up.

MAESTRO IMPROV WORKSHOP
Eight-Week Workshop
Instructors: Andy Crouch and Sean Hill

Ten brave players will take this class and become the backbone of Maestro for the months of June and July. We'll workshop the hell out of Austin's most enduring and endearing format, developing stronger scenework skills, directing skills and searching desperately for that spark of spontaneity and joyful risk that inspires audiences.

Each week in June and July players from the workshop will play in, support and help direct the Saturday Maestro along side Maestro vetrans. (Limit 10 students)

MAY 2008
Tuesdays, 7-9pm
May 6 - June 24
$120

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Maestro is in part a training format that allows younger improvisers to get up on the stage and start figuring things -- they get stage time, the opportunity to play with more experienced improvisers and direct feedback from the audience. This class intends to enhance that training by taking ten players every two months and workshopping the skills and philosophies that make for good Maestros and good improv. Which they will then put into practice in Maestros for two months.

Maestro will still be open to everyone, but the class will make up the backbone of each Maestro, playing, helping direct and filling many of the support positions.

Because Maestro is a Keith Johnstone format, this class will be a heavy study in Keith.

This class is for you if:
-You enjoyed Rich Ross's directing Maestro workshop
-You dug William Hall's workshops
-You think Maestro can be better and want to be a part of that
-You're curious about Johnstone stuff
-You've never won Maestro
-You've won Maestro a bunch of times, but have no idea why
-You're invested in the future of the Hideout
-You're looking for a fun time from 7-9 on Tuesday that only costs $15 a week

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

[kbadr]

This class is an awesome idea and it should really help keep Micetro running strong.

By putting in just a little work we can all have a hell of a lot more fun on Saturdays at 10pm.

[Michael T]

This is a great class idea.

Does this include potential directors as well, exploring the dichotomy between cast and director(s)?

[acrouch]

This is a great class idea.

Does this include potential directors as well, exploring the dichotomy between cast and director(s)?

Absolutely. We will cover all aspects of Maestro in the class, especially directing.

[LuBu McJohnson]

Damn you for doing this during Shana's 401 class. How will I eat next month? I'm gonna hafta sell my boat.

[Jeff]

This class is for you if:
-You enjoyed Rich Ross's directing Maestro workshop
-You dug William Hall's workshops
-You think Maestro can be better and want to be a part of that
-You're curious about Johnstone stuff
-You've never won Maestro
-You're invested in the future of the Hideout
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

I'm a match for all of those situations above, but my Tuesdays aren't free. "Bob"speed to those of you who are taking this workshop. (btw , "Bob" is the clip art godhead of the Church of the Subgenius, the world's most deliberately hilarious religion).

[acrouch]

This class is for you if:
-You enjoyed Rich Ross's directing Maestro workshop
-You dug William Hall's workshops
-You think Maestro can be better and want to be a part of that
-You're curious about Johnstone stuff
-You've never won Maestro
-You're invested in the future of the Hideout
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

I'm a match for all of those situations above, but my Tuesdays aren't free. "Bob"speed to those of you who are taking this workshop. (btw , "Bob" is the clip art godhead of the Church of the Subgenius, the world's most deliberately hilarious religion).

If all goes well, we're planning on making these classes happen every two months.

[Mike]

The class idea sounds good, but can you please elaborate on the way things will go as far as casting the show?

Will those people who take the class be the exclusive cast for two months, to be replaced by the next 10 folks who pay to take the class, or is the whole casting issue to remain unchanged?

I'm reading the initial post over and over and am becoming confused as to whether or not you need to take the class in order to play, or is my stupidity overwhelming me and making me miss something?

I'm all for a class on how to make Maestro better, Why not? I saw Shana offer a similar class/workshop I think about 2 years ago, and I guess it's time for Austin to put forth another set of classes where we can all make Maestro a more enjoyable experience to play/support/watch.

[Spaztique]

This could have not landed on a more perfect time, seeing as I've missed every Maestro workshop that's ever came by: it's both at the end of the school year, and it lands at the same time as the Tuesday Night Jam!

Only an asteroid, an alien invasion, or some other space-related death-causing activity can stop me.

"Bob"speed to those of you who are taking this workshop.

Lucky lucky! The first class takes place on the The Feast of Saint Guinness the Stout!

[acrouch]

The class idea sounds good, but can you please elaborate on the way things will go as far as casting the show?

Will those people who take the class be the exclusive cast for two months, to be replaced by the next 10 folks who pay to take the class, or is the whole casting issue to remain unchanged?

I'm reading the initial post over and over and am becoming confused as to whether or not you need to take the class in order to play, or is my stupidity overwhelming me and making me miss something?

I'm all for a class on how to make Maestro better, Why not? I saw Shana offer a similar class/workshop I think about 2 years ago, and I guess it's time for Austin to put forth another set of classes where we can all make Maestro a more enjoyable experience to play/support/watch.

Clarifications follow:

The class will provide four or five players every week and will probably take on many of the support roles (box office, lights, sound). The rest of the players will be cast in the same old way. Students in the workshop might assistant direct or co-direct as well, depending on level of experience.

This isn't any kind of pay to play scheme. You don't have to take the workshop to play in Maestro. That said, the workshop will be a blast and the more people that get involved, the better we'll be able to make Maestro in the future.

[Jessica]

This sounds like so much fun. I'm totally interested. How is the teaching going to work? Are Andy and Sean going to switch off, or are they going to both teach each class?

My one real concern is that this might end up being a class for beginners. While you can always learn from going over beginning material, I have not enjoyed classes where a significant amount of attention is given to learning the basics. So, how do you think you'll deal with that issue?

[acrouch]

This sounds like so much fun. I'm totally interested. How is the teaching going to work? Are Andy and Sean going to switch off, or are they going to both teach each class?

My one real concern is that this might end up being a class for beginners. While you can always learn from going over beginning material, I have not enjoyed classes where a significant amount of attention is given to learning the basics. So, how do you think you'll deal with that issue?

We'll probably take different nights and occasionally both teach.

Anyone taking this class will have probably seen or played in enough Maestro that we won't need to go over the basics too much. I'm imagining the class as an advanced workshop in Johnstone in application to Maestro. Kind of like an extended version of the William Hall Maestro and Life Game workshops and the Rich Ross Directing Maestro workshop.

[Jeff]

Kind of like an extended version of the William Hall Maestro and Life Game workshops and the Rich Ross Directing Maestro workshop.

On another note, it would be so sweet to put on a good Life Game some time. I loved Hall's workshop for it, and I would take it again in a second.

[Jessica]

Ok, I signed up - which means this class is now officially going to be awesome! I want to make Maestro the best of the best - who else is with me?

[skywise]

Again, How is this going to affect the Tuesday night jam? Tuesday is the free jam night to get people more interested in Improv. Will there still be a jam?