Keep warm and improv on
Pōneke improv round up, Winter 2024
I’ve had a draft waiting to be finished and sent for so long, it still had ‘Happy new year!’ in the intro paragraph. As is obvious to everyone except me, making a new human was an extremely time- and energy-consuming activity and it was pretty unreasonable to expect I would keep up with anything not 100% compulsory. I don’t want to say ‘I’m back!’ with full gusto just yet, but I do want to start engaging to more with the world outside my front door and I look forward to making this newsletter one of the ways I do that. I did manage to get to a few comedy festival shows including PopRox’s Farce Onion which was blimmin’ delightful and possibly the only improv show in the fest. An honourable mention goes to Samantha Hannah’s Female Lady Women Comedians for being not only hilarious but also partially improvised!
Two things have prompted me to finally send this draft - the first is the great news that NZIF 2024 is now open for pitches. I have a few things itching to make it to stage, and I can’t wait to see what Jim and Matt have in store for us with their sophomore fest. The other thing is that BATS has been hosting ‘improv week’ in the Dome - a chance for monthly-ish shows to access a larger space and share resources across a short run. I helped get this off the ground last year and fingers crossed I make it to a show or two this week or maybe next month.
snippets
Since I last sent one of these, I’ve been collecting interesting links to share. Here’s what’s survived in the forest of my browser tabs:
After the improv honeymoon - Chris Mead. “Every new improv group has a certain phase where the honeymoon is over and some mild irritations do start to arise. I was wondering if you have any thoughts on how to tackle these before the group breaks apart.”
Recharge your batteries - also Chris Mead. “Teaching has made me a better improviser…. But you can’t just be a teacher. Your batteries will eventually deplete to nothing.”
What are the best ways to play THE QUESTIONS GAME? - Shawn Kinley. “Some teachers say, YOU SHOULDN’T ASK QUESTIONS. They argue that questions offer no information and unfairly puts pressure on your partner to carry the scene. These teachers are being a bit rigid and aren’t addressing the underlying issue.”
The SIN: Essays on Improv. “This book is a snapshot of different insights, pedagogies, and good practice from some of the members of our group.” I bought this back in 2022 and it is still in my digital to-read pile. Read it with me this winter!
Talking with myself - Daniel Allan. “From one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Daniel Allan talks to Daniel Allan about improvisation in New Zealand, the education system, doing a masters project on IMPROVISATION and a little bit about the journey to a committed life of spontaneous exploration.”
what’s on…
this week
Micetro (WIT). Thursday 6 June, 6:30pm at BATS Theatre, tix $15-25. “Beloved improv elimination competition Micetro is back for another bite of the cheese.”
Instant Theatre (Improv Connection). Thursday 6 June, 8:00pm at BATS Theatre, tix $15-25. “Improv Connection's Masters program uses a grounded, emotional approach to create a play on the spot.”
Controversy (Doom & Bloom). Friday 7 June, 6:30pm at BATS Theatre, tix $15-25. “Through unscripted theatre, Doom & Bloom's CONTROVERSY throws petrol on your innocent audience suggestion, or trivialises the greatest questions of our time.”
The Big HOO-HAA! (Locomotive). Friday 7 June, 8:00pm at BATS Theatre, tix $15-25. “The Hearts stand valiant in one corner. The Bones hunger for glory in the other. You, the audience, decide the champion. But hey, the points are made up and everyone’s having a great time!”
Murder Club. Saturday 8 June, 6:30pm at BATS Theatre, tix $15-25. “Five improvisors plot to murder a fictional character of the audience’s choosing and then try and put in action.”
Late Night Knife Fight (Locomotive). Saturday 8 June, 8:00pm at BATS Theatre, tix $15-25. “The improv show where three teams face off in a battle for glory, honour, and the audience's favour.”
coming next
The Cabin (Best on Tap). 12-15 June, 6:00pm at BATS Theatre, tix $15-25. “Four friends tramping. One stranger. One night that changes everything.”
PopRox Improv Comedy Nights (PopRox). Next show 27 July, 7:00pm at Circa, tix $25-30. “Pōneke’s premier bar-hopping comedy collective have found their home at Circa Theatre for 2024!”
workshops
Honestly I’m not sure what’s on at the moment and haven’t got extra time to hunt things down this evening - what is on your calendar? What are you offering?
Help me collate all the upcoming improv and improv-adjacent events and useful news - tell me about yours!
ka kite anō
Stay warm, stay safe, and in case you didn’t hear it yet today:
Toitū Te Tiriti.
Trans rights are human rights.
Free Palestine.
You’re back! Great to read again and thanks for linking the Shawn Kinley thing, I totally forgot I did that!