Priorities
Improv Roundup and Reflections 31 July 2023
The first time I was pregnant, it was early 2020. I had to spend weeks 8-14 at home with no work, no obligations, just rest and relaxation. It was a mixed bag of emotions, as it likely was for many of us during that first lockdown - the tedium of enforced home-life, the deep breaths we could take with the enforced break from theatre and other artistic work, the relief at being able to sleep as much as I needed, the loneliness of distance from friends and family. This time around, the spectre of C19 hovers on the edge of all our daily activities (less threatening thanks to vaccination, more likely to be encountered thanks to less masking and a lack of overall change in air-quality inside spaces) but has not afforded me that same 6 weeks of rest that, if I had my way, would be mandatory and available for all pregnant people at during the first trimester.
What does this have to do with improv, you ask? The lack of this newsletter over the last two months, mostly. My priorities have been very different while I grappled with the usual morning (all-day) sickness and exhaustion, and getting a round-up out every week or so was a struggle too far. Come 2024, I will definitely be taking a break both from the newsletter and from leading/teaching/directing improv projects. It’s been made clear to me that the phrase ‘taking time off’ doesn’t really apply in this situation, as I am likely to be working harder than ever, so I’m thinking of it as a break from one responsibility to focus on another.
If I were to try to relate this to our every-day improv… I think it’s just that it is okay to have your priorities change. We aren’t the same people we were when we started improv, and we won’t stay the same people we are right now. Our tastes, obligations, interests, and availability will change - let them. Be present with what’s important in the moment.
snippets
Spent last week at Brisbane Improv Festival. Taught one workshop, took six others, performed in one show, and watched at least a dozen others. I’m very grateful to have been programmed, and to have participated with such lovely colleagues. Huge shout-out to Big Fork Theatre for pulling it off!
BATS are closed for maintenance. Buy a ticket to the No Show.
Local company WIT just elected a new committee, best wishes to the newbies and oldies alike.
Vinny Francois’s hand metaphor as explained by Chris Mead.
coming up…
shows
Demo Show / Koha Taster (Improv Connection). Monday 31 July (tonight), 6:15pm-9pm at St Paul’s Lutheran Church. “To get our students more experience in front of an audience we're having an 'in-house' show where you're invited to come along and support them! After the show you'll have the chance to chat to the players and there's also an optional Free Taster Class taught by Ben Zolno for anyone who comes along and wants to give it a go!”
Foundations of Improv - Preview Show (Improv Connection). Tuesday 1 August, 8pm at St Paul’s Lutheran Church. “To try out some of their new techniques, we're looking for a small audience to enjoy an 'in-house' show – if you're reading this, you're invited!”
Wet Soup. Thursday 3 August, 8pm at the Pow Wow Room, tix $15-20. “A hilarious variety show where comedians do experimental acts to see what sticks. It is 100% mostly-unscripted and anything goes!”
Tiny Dog. Friday 11 August, 9pm at Cavern Club, tix $15. “Pōneke's fiercest improv company brings you fast and loose improvised comedy.”
Director’s Cut (WIT). Tuesday 15 August, 7pm at the Pow Wow Room, tix $5-10. “Directors competing with other directors to direct a talented troupe of bold improvisors in a series of unique scenes.”
All The Feels (Improv Connection). Monday 21 August, 7:30pm at the Pow Wow Room, tix $5-15. “Come along to Improv Connections end of term show where you won't just laugh, but get All The Feels!”
workshops
Improv Theatre 102: Build Your Platform (Locomotive). Starts Monday 7 August, 7-9pm at Thistle Hall Community Venue, registration from $180 (financial assistance available).
WIT Tuesdays (Wellington Improv Troupe). 6-8pm, Te Auaha, various teachers. Drop in, koha. Check the most recent newsletter (at the link) for info on this week’s session.
Improv Movement Class (Java Dance). 9-10.30am Tuesdays, join the FB group to stay in the loop.
Help me collate all the upcoming improv and improv-adjacent events and useful news - tell me about yours!
ka kite anō
That’s all for this week; let me know what I missed in the comments, and stay safe and well xx
Love this Jen! One of the things I really love about improv is that it gives us so much permission to just be with things as they change, moment-to-moment. This is life, as it is, anyway, so it’s a fabulous container for practice. Congrats on Bubba 2, and I’m glad you’re giving yourself space for this big job! Clare from Next Door Improv 🌹