5 September
Pōneke improv round up for the week starting Monday 5 September
The thing about giving yourself a weekly task like a newsletter is that you have to do it weekly and that doesn’t leave much room for weekends when you are knackered. But here we are! Back with another issue and only a bit of napping needed to get it sorted. Remember to take a breather when you need it, and not a moment later okay? You deserve it.
I couldn’t find any improv shows on this week but there is still heaps on that you should definitely go to, including Skin Tight at Circa which featured a few years ago in ScriptProv at BATS. I’ve heard incredible things about this production - physical, visceral, intense and affecting.
imProfile: IMPROV CONNECTION
Who they are: Improv Connection is a training and performance company started by Ben Zolno in 2019.
What they do: Improv Connection uses real-life emotion to create drama and comedy “so gut-wrenchingly relatable that you'll swear it must have been written”. Classes run regularly (terms and one-offs) and usually feature performances, plus graduates feature regularly on the improv scene.
The vibe: “Dramedy...? Relatable pain? We prepare our community for improv of every genre/type, but in class we focus just on grounded emotion that looks more like indie film or unscripted theatre. We tell our audiences they may laugh or cry at any moment, but they end up laughing about 80% of the time.”
Get involved: Join a class or buy a ticket to a show. “To lead us to easier, funner, more fulfilling scenes, our priority is create a safe, equitable, and focused environment to study, explore, and perform.“ A great intention!
Stay updated: Visit www.improvconnection.net for all their current events, and join their mailing list.
Help me profile all the improv companies and ensembles in Pōneke!
Send me your group’s info and you’ll feature in a future post.
coming up this week…
shows
So There I Was: A Storytelling Showcase (NZ Comedy School). Sunday 11 September, 7pm-9pm at The Fringe Bar. Tix from $15. Awesome to check out different performance styles - comedy and story are integral to improv!
Tahi Festival. 7-17 Feb. “A celebration of solo artists, TAHI is a ten-day Festival from 8-17 September dedicated to showcasing the finest and most engaging solo performances from all around Aotearoa. With events across Pōneke in 2022, check out our website for all the details and to book.” Not explicitly improv but I know there are some improvisors there, plus it’s always good to see what the scripted are up to!
workshops
Fundamentals: Power in Authenticity (Improv Connection). Starts Tuesday 6 September, 6pm at 12 King Street, from $299.
Do Scenes, Get Notes (Locomotive). Starts Wed 19 October, 7pm at Toi Poneke, from $160. Just gone on sale - it is what it says on the box!
Regular spots: WIT Tuesdays, Java Dance improv jam. Check out earlier issues for more details.
other links and stuff
Links links links
Help me collate all the upcoming improv and improv-adjacent events and useful news - tell me about yours! Deadline is Saturday, I put this together on Sunday.
let’s talk…
Years ago in Melbourne I watched a show called The Big Hoo Haa and I had such a great time - it was silly and joyful and well structured and I thought, man I want to make a show like that! No spoilers, but I might finally be getting that underway.
What shows have inspired you to create or to get involved? What makes you go ‘Oh my gosh I need to do THAT’?
Here is a playlist in case this email did not find you well.