Better late than never
Roundup of Pōneke Improv from 10 October
Yes, it’s Wednesday. If you’re expecting a different more specific email from me, sorry I haven’t got to you yet. It is coming, I promise.
Didn’t find many actual improv shows on this week (in Wellington that is) but I found some adjacent ones. There was a drag murder mystery on a few weeks ago that I wish I’d featured - they had a guest each night who had to perform with a script they’d just been handed, and boy howdy some improvisors in there would have been amazing! (Were there any? Did anyone go to it?)
imProfile: IN CONVERSATION (a podcast)
Who they are: Jason Geary is an improvisor in Melbourne, Australia. Dave Morris is an improvisor in Victoria BC, Canada. During the first lockdown Jason was supposed to head over to Paper Street Theatre and guest in a festival there - since they couldn’t do that, they made a podcast across the internet.
What they do: It’s right there in the name - they have conversations! About improv! The first season is just them, talking deeply about different aspects of performance and creation and such. The second and third seasons feature guests, including one episode with me and my then two-month old bebe.
The vibe: Hopeful and thoughtful and good to listen to. They both have great voices and they have great things to say.
Stay updated: I think it’s probably finished at this stage, but there are three seasons worth to listen back to - find it on your podcatcher of choice.
Branching out into other improv things that I love :)
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
Soft Carnage (Brynley Stent). 11-15 October, 7:30pm at BATS Theatre, tix $20-40. Brynley is a brilliant improvisor, and before she was really famous (Celebrity Treasure Island, Taskmaster NZ, Jono and Ben, Funny Girls) she was locally famous as a Christchurch and then Wellington actor and improvisor. She is also flippin’ hilarious and you should go to her show (even though it’s scripted).
Chop Shop (Monfu). 14 October, 8pm at Fringe Bar, tix $20-25. Alternative comedy night, I see some clowns on the lineup and they are usually a delightful loose unit of spontaneity.
Late Night Knife Fight: IN AUCKLAND! Friday 14 October, 9pm at the Pumphouse. That’s right, Tāmaki Makaurau has its own offshoot of LNKF starting this weekend, with The Real Housewives of Oneroa headlining. I’m so excited for them.
workshops
Improv Theatre 101: Learn The Tools (Locomotive). 8 weeks from 17 October, 7pm at Thistle Hall. Tell your improv-curious friends (we need a few more bodies in the room!)
Improv Theatre 203: Do Scenes, Get Notes (Locomotive). 8 weeks from 19 October, 7pm at Toi Poneke. A workshop for improvisors looking to get some one-on-one coaching in a group :)
Improv Retreat (Improv Connection). 4-6 November, Waikanae, registration starts at $259. A weekend away with improv teachers! What fun!
other links and stuff
Nelson Fringe applications are open! Festival dates are 23 March to 1 April 2023.
BATS Halloween Fundraiser: “This October’s spooky season BATS Theatre is raffling off the chance for fans to take on the role of theatre ghost for the year in a new fundraiser. Not only will winners get the privilege to “haunt” some of BATS Theatre’s spaces but winners will also experience an epic ghostly make-over with prosthetics, make-up and special effects by Wētā Workshop’s co-founder Richard Taylor.” This sounds delightful. But is also a pretty funny thing to have launched alongside their ‘please consider putting a bequest to BATS in your will for when you become an actual ghost’.
Links links links
Help me collate all the upcoming improv and improv-adjacent events and useful news - tell me about yours! Deadline is Thursday, I put this together on Friday.
let’s talk…
Substack have come out with an Android version of their app! You should get it if you’re an Android user, and you should totally check out the huge number of awesome Substacks you can sign up for. I’d love for it to be my only social media. Imagine - only stuff I want and knowing I’ll definitely get it? Chronologically? The dream.
If you had to keep just one social media account, what platform would it be on?