Next At Bat

Greg Parks, Liv August, Phillip Schramm, and Anrea Ravich (unfortunately pianist Joe Ye couldn’t be there) of Impropera join us to talk about performing an improvised opera,a form in which everything, from the dialog to the scene painting, is sung. They also discuss picking suggestions, developing trust, deus ex machina, musical accompaniment, silence, and the power of bluntly stating your character’s emotions.

We also talk a lot about fuck bois.

Then we improvised a short acappella opera.

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Mookie Harrington, Shea Roberts, Breanna Cecile, Phil Peterson, Alec Johnson, and Erik Ostrom (unfortunatley Mary Kane, Wells Farnham, and Lindsay St. Clair couldn’t join us) of Colossal Park join us to discuss cramming an entire theme park disaster movie into 25 minutes.

They also discuss how a single idea can develop into a complete show, developing chemistry after being formed through an audition, callbacks, monologues, and thinking of the show as a whole. Also, a mist stalks us.

Then we visit Dragonland.

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Liv Augusta and Phillip Schramm of Goof Goof join us to figure out the hierarchy of host and co-host and the Next At Bat cabinet.

They also discuss abandoning narrative for an energy-driven experience with organic, musical transitions and lots of eye contact in which the contract with the audience allows meaning to be discovered by the viewer.

Also, we leave it to you decide if Philip and Phillip are the same person.

Then things get goofy.

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Jill Bernard, Amy Burge, and Breanna Cecile of the Tiny Funny Women Fest committee, join Philip (Matt unfortunately couldn’t join us) to discuss how TFWF is different than most improv festivals because it’s goals are empowerment and inclusiveness. To that end, they have female-identified ensembles instead of existing groups, have workshops about the year’s most relevant issues, encourage community building and frank discussion during breaks, and have been known to break into an impromptu potluck. During a new segment, Philip’s Corner, we learned a lot about crafts.

Also, Jill and Breanna get trapped in the airport’s VIP lounge.

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Writer/director/creator Katherine Curtis, lights and sound designer Kurt Radtke, Director of Photography Abbie Elrod, and actor Will Roberts of FunWitFunny join us to talk about producing a video sketch show on a budget. They discuss collaboration, ideal frequency/length, finding one’s voice, and production value. We try a new segment, Philip’s Corner, which doesn’t get dark at all.

Also, Philip tries to return a fish.

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Nathan Rouse, Justin Bettincourt, and Phillip Schramm of This Just In: The Improvised News Show join us to talk about doing an absurdist show in the guise of a newscast. They claim it’s about pure entertainment, but Matt posits that it’s actually an exploration of the id, ego, and super ego. They also discuss filtering suggestions, dynamics, and satire.

In a brand new segment, Philip’s Corner, we learn about the Loch Ness Monster and fake children.

Also, Michael Dallavalle get’s a great deal on pants.

Follow This Just In: The Improvised News Show at facebook.com/thisjustinimprovbutts

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Bowl of Chili (Sarah Arnold, Davis Steen, Leah Isaacson, and Denzel Belin) join us to discuss their current form, The Writer’s Room. They talk about using a duel narrative to reveal characters’ inner emotions, working within genres, know when/if your character is needed in a scene, and using stage picture as an indicator.

We also see how the Illuminati influenced the latest episode of Weird World.

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Drew Kersten and Jordan Bainer (unfortunately Bette Bentley couldn’t join us) the producers of Melee a Trois brought along a couple of participants, Sophie Brossard of Danger Zone and Emily Lindholm of Jorts (and Philip Simondet, also of Danger Zone, was also there – if you remember) join us to talk about producing an improv competition. We discuss marketing, expectations, providing stage time, showcasing both established and up-and-coming groups, and promoting a show.

We also learn a little French.

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Bennett Christensen, winner of the 2016 HUGE Hangout Auction, brings along Denzel Belin and John Gebretatose (of Sultans of Silly) for his episode. He poses the question, “what have you gotten out of improv?” which leads us to a discussion about making friends, developing community, overcoming social anxiety, and dealing with neurological disorders, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s Disease. We also talk about diversity, taking breaks from performing, enjoying one’s friends’ accomplishments, and using improvisation’s inherent positivity to enjoy life.

We also have a lot of nice things to say about Jen Scott.

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On our 100th episode, Casey Haeg and Eric Heiberg join to interview us. We discuss the importance of doing things outwide of your comfort zone, what makes a good interview, improv philosophy, not watching improv, discovery versus invention, the history of the Twin Cities improv scene, teaching methods, and the secret of Philip’s Corner.

Also, Eric feels left out and invents jayshitting.

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