kevhines:

Another Macroscene show tonight.

I talked about this show last week:
Last Week’s Post

The form of the macroscene is less a form and more a technique spread across an entire show. That technique - using real world edits - makes for an interesting scene, something a little different then we normally get to see. While also something that is clear to a non-improv audience (I hope). In a way it’s more of a limitation. You could do these moves in any show, but for this show that is all you can do. However like a monoscene this limitation can be used to create some great shows. I feel simple limitations in improv can do that. They can challenge you, and if you meet that challenge you can reach new levels you might not have tried for.

Of course you can’t do that if you don’t push yourself. Week 1 of this class I was asked a ton of questions by the performers. Some I had thought of and knew the answers. Some I had not thought of, but could still figure out the answers. And some, I had never thought of and had no idea. We had to try and find out if it could work. And this class was willing to try.

This ability to examine the form combined with the willingness to try and push themselves is what really helped this class kick serious amounts of butt. Before the first show I reminded them, “just because you are in front of an audience don’t stop taking chances.” You can’t be afraid to fail or you can’t have a great show.

Last week we saw a show centered in an ex-coal mining town lose it’s last two destinations. An ice cream truck and an “authentic” Italian Restaurant (run by a Spanish Jew). We also saw a show set in a race-fueled high school, with one teacher awarding his students extra credit for presenting the face of death, and another teacher grading his students for drawing penises.

This week come and watch folks such as these:

Brett White - Brett is funny. That much is clear, but what I enjoy more then him being funny is Brett having fun. I guess most everyone is having fun but Brett has a way of playing that makes him seem in the thrall of the scene. As if he has no choice but to do the things he does. If he has a fault it’s that he never wants any scene to end, even if the next scene is more promising. Because he is enjoying the moment so much. That can’t be taught.

Sarah Claspell - I’ve known Sarah a while, coached her a few times, and seen her perform a handful of times. She’s always been a good improviser. Funny, smart, and fun. Well - upgrade all that stuff. She’s hilarious, super smart, and a blast in scenes. I have to assume I should have been watching more of her shows lately because I’ve been missing out. If Sarah’s in a scene you know they won’t go long without finding a fun game to play. Last week her first scene had 2 games. Each enough to support an entire scene, each getting it’s equal due, each played with patience and ease, each effortless.

Dustin Drury - Dustin was in that same scene. Dustin is really smart. But what I love most about the way he plays is his seemingly innate sense of what a scene needs to doesn’t need. He’ll leave a scene selflessly if it’s better off without him. He’ll enter in a burst of excitement to ramp up the energy of a show. He’ll quietly come in the background and fill in the reality. Dustin keeps a show from being stagnant all the while making great improv moves with a relaxed air of confidence that makes an audience sure everything is going to work.

Also Dustin is the one who told me to turn off the 3G on my iPhone and I haven’t had a dropped call since!

Ellena Chmielewski - In the first class, in one of the first scenes, Ellena and Terry Withers did a scene about attempting a conference call to discuss donut selections that remains one my favorites from the entire 8 weeks. Ellena is willing to do anything. She never leaves anyone out to dry. She’ll jump in where needed and not back down off mistakes. Which makes those mistakes work. And then once they’re working, she makes them even stronger, and before you know it you’re not sure it was a mistake to begin with. Ellena is, in a way, the perfect representation of the entire class. She is willing to fail, and willing to push, and willing to trust her scene-mates in all cases. Because of this her scenes surprise and delight me constantly.

And that’s just 1/4 of the class! See this show!

http://newyork.ucbtheatre.com/shows/2238