Next At Bat

Joe McGo, Jackson Collins, Joe Blum, Lizzie Gardner, Adam Iverson, Eric Hoversten, and David Kappelhoff of GARY (unfortunately Andrea Ravich, Emily Ruff, Laura Hickey, and Cody Nelson couldn’t join us) talk about auditions, coaching styles, old school openings, casting, bonding, coaches playing, catharsis, caring for the audience, commitment, and growing as a team.

Also, we have a dinner to celebrate a year of gambling sobriety.

Follow GARY at www.facebook.com/garyimprov

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Larry Bieza, Mary K. Wright, Adam Woolhouse, and Christopher Harrington of Jesters Comedy Improv get caught in a time loop with us.

They talk about finding a venue, serving food during a show, structuring a short-form show, the cross-over between long and short form improv. reading a crowd, offending people, audience intaraction, and satire.

Matt does his standby, Leisurely Paced Fire, and we try a new segment, Philip’s Corner.

Also, we learn what Next At Bat will be like in the future.

Follow Jesters at www.jcimprov.com

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Gregory Parks and Emmett Cowen of All, Alone talk to us about solo improv. They discus clowning, making mountains out of molehills, experimenting, cutting scenes you don’t enjoy, the power of tech, trusting the audience, meeting or defying expectations, and keeping it simple, stupid.

We also get a sneak peek at the next Farrelly Brothers movie.

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Ricecakes (Mary Mangan, Brian Rice, and Janelle Blasdel) talk about how their form, which uses side conversations to and information and create dramatic irony. They discus evolving through member changes, staying silly, keeping track of multiple threads, why they focus on character instead of plot, and ramen.

Matt does his classic section segment, Freeballin’, and we try a new feature, Philip’s corner.

Also, we look for a missing flask.

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Diorama (Eric Heiberg and Sophie Brossard) explain to us how a mono-scene based on discovery, silence, and listening can lead to relationships that present more complex versions of love. They also talk about exploring dangerous situations, not taking a suggestion, hugging, and commitment.

Matt does his classic segment, “Short Answers That Were Meat to be Short but Never Are *except for Eric Heiberg (SQTWMtbSbNA*efEH), and we try a new segment, Philip’s Corner.

Also, we find out how slapping can improve your ability to sing.

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Squash Banana (Jeff Gyllen and Breanna Cecile) talk with us about going for realism over comedy (and the comedy that comes through that naturally). They also discuss learning through shows, mono scenes, complimenting versus pushing, giving themselves more options, and the value of using specific details from your real life. Breanna does a great job, but fuck Jeff Gyllen.

Matt does his classic segment, Oh Shit, Can I Think About That?, and we introduce a brand new segment, Philip’s Corner, in which we learn about Jeff’s D.

Also, we have a peek behind the scenes at the recording of Devin and the Boys’ album.

Follow Squash Banana at facebook.com/SquashBananaImprov

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Andy Hilbrands and MJ Marsh of Cross/Weaving tell us they wanted to play together so badly, they invented a form in which they interact with each other as little as possible. They also discuss stage picture, spacework, how little the audience cars about fixing the problem, listening, playing at the top of your intelligence (even if your character isn’t), seeing different sides of characters as they interact differently with other characters, and how to spell Michael.

We try a new segment, Philip’s Corner, which is mostly movie reviews.

Also, we get the boys together for trivia night.

Follow Cross/Weaving at www.facebook.com/crossweaving

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Eric Thompson and Matt Allex, representing Double-Blind Improv, talk about how producing a show in which the games and cast are chosen at random can create energy because improv audiences tend to be smart and want you to succeed. They also talk about dealing with difficult venues, breaking, the importance of a good host, the value of doing what you think you can’t do, and why bombing is good for your soul.

We try a new segment, Philip’s Corner, in which we discuss burritos and life hacks, then do some short-form.

Follow Double-Blind Improv at facebook.com/doubleblindimprov

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Stacey Trelfa, Ryan Strunk, Aaron Cook, and Amy Burge (unfortunately Jen Wilson couldn’t join us) of The Pickup Artists explain how they pull of what what might be the most intimidating show description: improvised narrative a cappella musicals.

They talk about learning things from music coaches and improv coaches, filling in each other’s parts, theater acoustics, group mind a key changes.

Matt does his classic section, Fast Pitch, and we try a new segment, Philip’s Corner, in which we discover that this Ryan guy really has his shit together.

Also, we sing a musical about safe mining.

Follow The Pickup Artists at www.thepickupartistsimprov.com

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Max Mars, Caroline Hitt, Fred Cheng, Nate Weingarden, and Matthew Kraft of Stevie Ray’s Comedy Troupe (unfortunately Brett Williams and Music Director William Pierce couldn’t join us) talk about how to structure a “fun, funny, professional” variety show. They discuss organizing their 2 hour show, which includes songs, sketches, stand-up and short-form improv, in a way that creates dynamics – some parts are laugh-a-minute, while others allow them to sit back and enjoy engaging scenes. They break down the multiple layers that happen concurrently to form a show as a whole entity, more than just a series of separate games, and how a host, a musical director, amazing technical support, and valuable notes from the leadership help achieve this.

They stress the importance of getting the audience on your side, and weigh in on the eternal short-form versus long-form discussion.

Matt has a great idea for a new feature on the show, a top ten list, and we try a new segment called Philip’s Corner.

Also, Matt does for short-form for the first time (other than teaching it).

Follow Stevie Ray’s Comedy Troupe at www.stevierays.org

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