Spring has sprung, but don't pack away your jackets
Pōneke round up, 12 September 2022
I write to you from my father-in-law’s lounge in Waiuku - we are watching nordic noir over cups of tea while I catch up on what’s happening in Wellington improv. I’m also enjoying a nice warm post-workshop glow, having spent the morning introducing Late Night Knife Fight to a group of Auckland improvisors. Shout out to Rebecca Stubbing who is organising the first (and maybe not last) offshoot of the monthly show outside of Wellington! Pretty lovely to have our lil ol’ show spread its wings and go further afield.
imProfile: YOUR NAME HERE?
I don’t have a profile this week and I don’t have time to put one together on the fly. Remember, I would love to feature YOUR company here. Or maybe just YOU here - I know there’s plenty of people working in multiple companies and ensembles whose work I’d love to share.
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
Director’s Cut (MmmPop Improv). Friday 16 Sept, 6:30pm-7:30pm at Te Auaha's Tapere Iti, tix from $5. It’s the university improv group doing some longform fun.
Tahi Festival continues until 17 Sept. “A celebration of solo artists, TAHI is a ten-day Festival 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!
Coming next week is DAFT: Disabled Artists’ Festival of Theatre. 18 - 25 September, heaps of events including shows and workshops.
workshops
Improv Masterclass: Show Design (Impro Connection). Starts 12 September, 5:45pm - 9:30pm at 12 King Street, $390. Led by Austin Harrison, possibly full, but you may get in today if you act quick.
The Art of the Scene (Impro Connection). Starts 12 September, 5:45pm - 9:30pm at 12 King Street, $390. Led by Jonathan Mandeno, again: possibly full, but you may get in today if you act quick.
Intro to Improv with Susan Williams (DAFT). Monday 19 September, 10am - 2pm (or come for the first two hours) at BATS Theatre. Koha welcome, registration required. “A workshop for disabled people which puts our experiences first. Have you always wanted to try improv, or do you already love it?” Share with your networks!
other links and stuff
Nothing on my radar today - got any good links you want to share?
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…
Big names in improv are regularly interrogating our traditional ‘rules’; Chris Mead’s most recent newsletter shares this blog post, which is the most recent iteration of the ongoing ‘Yes And’ discussion. Interested in others’ thoughts on these conversations - my general approach is that rules in improv are like rules in sports. They apply when you all agree they apply, and they help you play the game you’re playing, and they don’t apply in all codes or events.
Here is a playlist in case this email did not find you well. New songs added weekly.