Austin Improv

The first 11/11/08 jam ever!

When: Tuesday, 7:00 to 10:00
Where: Hideout Theater (617 Congress Ave); upstairs
How Much: FREE!

I've got some good, new Story Spine exercises and we'll play around with some La Ronde work, some scenes about nothing, and other exercises that will definitely translate well for those of you looking to strengthen your long-form skills. I know a lot of you are looking to work on that, so we'll give you some good story-telling tips, techniques, and basics this week that will work equally as well in long and short form work.

We'll also workshop a "Maestro Game of the Week," but I haven't thought about which one yet. What game would you like to hit hard and work through several times? What is your big "dreaded" Maestro game at the moment?

And don't forget, if you want more personal notes on your performance, talk to me before the jam or shoot me a PM and I'll give you more personally focused notes after the jam!

Think about this "philosophical" question, too, which we'll talk about throughout the night's jam:
"What IS story?"

What is a story?
What makes for a "good" story?
Why do we watch a story?
How necessary is story?
What are the elements of story?
What makes a story a story and not just an event?
Why is going to the store for eggs not necessarily? What would need to happen to make it one?

Think, also, of examples of stories (in any medium: book, TV, movie, song, etc) that you like and what it is about them that draws you in.
I will ask you to pick apart different aspects of them and to retell them in different ways.

A big "thank you" to Wesley, who comes to the jams not only prepared and enthusiastic, but also with handouts! Wes is a terrific teacher and we're all lucky to learn from him.

Madeline

You are too kind and your words flatter too much.

I owe you notes!