Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
Pōneke improv roundup, December 2022
How early is too early to check out of the year? I’m ready to down tools and pick up a mimosa or three, read a good book, and work on my 2023 plans. I almost forgot to send out this final roundup and I’m glad I remembered, because there’s so much on before we all scarper for holidays. I’ll be on stage one last time this Friday with the Paua Ballads and I can’t wait to hear what everyone is doing in Fringe next year (programme launches next Thursday!). Comedy Fest offers are going out right now too, and I’d love to see some great improv in the line up.
I’ll be back sometime in the new year with more roundups and short thoughts about what’s on. I’d love to hear about your year and what you’re planning in 2023, so please feel free to reply to this or comment on the Substack app (now available on Android!). Have a well-fed summer with plenty of good company, friends xx
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…
shows
Jingle Elves (Paua Ballads). 6-10 Dec, 8:30pm at BATS, tix from $18. I’m guesting on Friday and I cannot wait!
Joy of Improv Showcase (WIT). 8 Dec, 8pm at Wellington High School, free entry. Let’s welcome some new people to the performing community!
Tiny Dog (Tiny Dog). 9 Dec, 8:00pm at BATS, tix from $15. Featuring one special guest: the wonderful Christine Brooks!
PopRoxMas End of Year Special (Pop Rox). 10 Dec, 8:00pm at Te Auaha tix from $15. These kids are just so silly and fun, please go have a lovely time.
Improvisor of the Year Awards (Locomotive hosting). Sat 11 Dec, 4pm, tix $5. All improvisors who have performed, practiced, directed, taught, learned, and otherwise engaged with improv in Pōneke are eligible for nomination, and all are encouraged to attend <3
Xmas Improv Extravaganza (WIT). 13 Dec, 7pm at the Pow Wow Room, koha entry. First half Ferris Wheel, second half improv jam!
workshops
TABS: The Annual BATS Summit (BATS Theatre). 13-16 December, at BATS and online, various times and events. Heaps on offer, lots of it free, get amongst it!
Fundamentals of Improv: Koha Taster (Improv Connection). 10 Dec, 11am-1pm at Toi Poneke, koha. Send your improv curious friends.
Do Scenes Get Notes in 2023 (Locomotive). 4 week courses in February and March taught by Matt Powell and Jennifer O’Sullivan respectively, 7pm-9pm at Thistle Hall, $55-$80. Earlybird pricing available til one month out.
other links and stuff
Improv Advent Calendar. Just lovely.
A beautiful write up of improv advice from Heartthrobs in Auckland, the team behind Sleigh! at the Basement.
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…
I feel like there’s a big conversation to be had about this review of Sleigh on The Spinoff from four different people who all had a great time but also all wanted to make sure we knew that usually improv makes them nervous or anxious or uncomfortable or cringe. And like… I am really interested in how we got to this place of this (unearned?) reputation of improv, and why it is that when people go to a good improv show they have to say ‘it was a good show, unlike what I was expecting!’ instead of just ‘it was a good show!’ How frequently do you read a review for a scripted show that says ‘it was a good play performed well, which is good because usually theatre sucks!’ At the same time, I am really glad that these people had a good experience, and that they have shared that in these reviews, especially if it encourages someone else to go along and have a good time at a new experience…
Maybe I am just a jaded improvisor who has been hurt before by more than one positive review with negative vibes?
Certainly feeling the "let's call it here" vibe to the year