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Recognize the greats, learn from the greats

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This post is inspired by Charna Halpern’s Improv Nerd appearance, linked at the bottom.

Have any of these thoughts crossed your mind?

“I’ve played that form before. I know it.”
“Two person scenes aren’t complex enough to satisfy me.”
“The audience isn’t laughing, I better make a joke.”
“Spatula was a good suggestion.”

If they have, it’s likely you need a fresh insight into improv. Heck, every improviser does from time to time. Complacency is a trap that we fall into often in improv as in life. Like any art form, improv takes practice, diligence, and a constant reassessment of one’s craft. No improviser is perfect, and the sooner we realize that, the sooner we’re able to take onboard the genius of those who know this world better than us.

Enter Charna Halpern, the founder of the IO theater in Chicago (formerly Improv Olympic).

Source: http://ioimprov.com/chicago/about/

Charna Halpern and Del Close. Source: ioimprov.com/chicago/about/

If the name is not immediately known, well, it’s strange that you would have made it this far. She is improv. Her name is synonymous with high-skill improvisational theater. IO is home to some of the best in the business. And she has much to share. Her publications on the subject are well-known and insightful. Heck, Truth in Comedy is basically the foundational guide to long-form as we know it. But deeper than that is her biting insights in Art by Committee, where she tears into the Harold and dissects teams that have bested the form.

But the main point today is that Charna is a source for countless one-line inspirations that you can jot down in a notebook and read before a show. These quick notes will help you be a better improviser because they give you that brief side coaching idea, distilled down past the drivel and wordiness. With this one idea, you can walk on stage (or into rehearsal) with a goal.

My recent favorite from Charna is “Play a flawed character.” I’ve tried to bring it onto stage with me several times, resulting in scenes that pack a visceral energy the normal happy-go-lucky character just can’t get to. For instance, in a recent father-son scene, I played a father lambasting his son in no uncertain terms for being a disappointment. I yelled at him for failing at college. When he talked back, I slapped him. This was tense. My partner was in a position where there’s no joke and no relief from the verbal and physical abuse. We both had to trust here: my partner that I would gift him an out and me that my partner wouldn’t break the tension. Eventually we found it by naming our family: the Ronald Mcdonald’s. The stark contrast between the levity of the initial scene and the silliness of the reveal resulted in great audience response, as well as a fun motivator. But the takeaway is that if I had not chosen to play an abusive father, we wouldn’t have gotten there. Play a flawed character, and enjoy it. Thanks Charna.

For a bevy of knowledge from Charna Halpern, check out her Improv Nerd interview with Jimmy Carrane. Or find Improv Nerd episode 30 on iTunes. Happy improvising!

#cheggit Not only is this a #flashback and #throwback but it’s a #flashforward to next Saturday! Jan 17, 2015. Live #improvcomedy with your friends #iyfi at #leewardcctheater TIME : 8PM $10 at the door BUT if you bring a guest who’s never been to an #iyfi show then it’s $5 for the both of you. #iyfifun #itsanewyear #dosomethingnew #inspire #laugh #improvhi #letsdothis @rielchris @mandble @j__reyn by scorpianmonkey

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https://www.instagram.com/p/xvYYw3H5No/

Save the Date: Master Instructor Jill Bernard is coming to TOWN!

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jillbernardSAVE THE DATE! Master Instructor, Jill Bernard will be coming to Honolulu late January and will be sharing some major IMPROV AWESOMENESS with us! Her class schedule is still being finalized, BUT we know for sure that some musical improv is coming our way…YIPPEE!

Stay tuned for more details and be sure to sign up for our newsletter to keep updated on this and other upcoming master workshops!

 

Coming to Oahu in November: Master Teacher – Rachel Hamilton!

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Rachel_HamiltonWe are super excited to announce that Master Improv Instructor Rachel Hamilton will be in Honolulu to drop some major knowledge on us in November!  Rachel is an Emmy Nominated Writer and has worked with comedy legend, Joan Rivers.  She also works closely with fellow master improviser, David Razowsky.

Tentative Schedule:
Nov 15th – “Chick-Prov”
Nov 16th – “Improv for Actors”
Nov 17th & 18th – “Master Improv Classes”
Nov 19th – “Special Workshop”

Save the date! More details coming soon. For now…let’s learn more about Rachel Hamilton:
Rachel Hamilton is an accomplished Improvisational Actor, Storyteller and is widely regarded as one of the best Improv teachers working today. A former Mainstage cast member at The Second City, Chicago, Rachel learned her craft from and with the best, having shared the stage with geniuses like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Scott Adsit, Nia Vardalos and many more incredible artists.Rachel began teaching almost twenty years ago and she feels passionately that Improv skills are great training for both theater and for life. Her teaching style is upbeat and nurturing – she creates a safe space where everyone can feel safe and supported, and where everyone can do their best work. Rachel designs and implements improv workshops all over the country for both actors and non-actors, offering Improv as a tool for training in performance as well as for personal development.

Born in DC, Rachel has lived, loved and worked in all the major cities; Chicago, LA and most recently NYC. Last year, in a conscious quest for more tranquility and natural beauty, Rachel made the brilliant choice to move her base to Sausalito, California and is delighted to be bringing her deep well of experience to the Bay Area’s vibrant Improv scene.

Rachel has worked as a performer and/or teacher for the following: The Second City (Chicago & LA), Magnet Theater (NYC), The Upright Citizen’s Brigade NYC), The Reduced Shakespeare Co, 30 Rock, Artistic New Directions (NYC), the Moth, Syracuse University (Adjunct Prof.), Michael Howard Studios (NYC), as well as numerous corporate and private clients.

Rachel is also an Emmy-nominated writer and worked as part of the production team for the hit documentary,Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.