Stay safe, stay home (except for Fringe Shows)
Improv round up for Pōneke for the next week or so (what is time)
Snippets
I’m in Taupo, we seem to have missed a lot of the terrible weather, but I send huge aroha to everyone affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Check out Emily Writes’ round up of useful links (both practical and distractional).
And then there was a flipping earthquake! Is the world trying to tell us something?
Fringe launches tonight with a gala (I think just for invited peeps) and tomorrow with the first proper shows - it is a huge one and I do not envy the team in charge of coordinating this beast amidst yet another national state of emergency. But there are so many cool improv shows you can support and if it’s safe for you to do so, grab your tickets and go!
The Improv Boost listed my newsletter on their website and I seem to have picked up a few subscriptions from there. Hello! Welcome! This is mostly Wellington, NZ specific stuff but I do add my own improv thoughts along the way. Right now I’m on holiday (yes, during a cyclone) and so my thoughts are sluggish, but thank you for being here, please feel free to browse the back issues, and leave a comment on the Substack app as your heart desires.
coming up…
shows in FRINGE
The Big HOO-HAA! Pōneke (Locomotive). 17, 18 Feb and 10, 11 March, 8:30pm at BATS Theatre, tix from $18. See below!
Jam Packed Third Act (Torben and Zed). 17-19 Feb, 7pm at 216 Cuba Street, tix from $12. “Imagine the best film you've ever seen. Done that? Well at 'Jam-Packed Third Act' Torben and Zed will create a story even better! That's right, even better than Shrek 2.”
Shame and Scandal (Next Door Improv). 17-19 Feb, 9:30pm at Te Auaha, tix from $15. “Discover what happens when a deep, dark secret is revealed.”
So, You Have Kids? A High School Reunion (Peaked in High School Productions). 23-25 Feb, 7:30 pm at two/fiftyseven, tix from $12. “In this improvised extravaganza, Huia High's Class of 2000 re-unite to reminisce and create new memories.”
MmmPop Gets A Fringe (Mmmpop). 26 Feb and 5 March, 6:00pm at Fringe Bar, tix from $8. “Some of Victoria University's finest are putting on a 1-hour improv special for the Fringe festival, so come and see some amazing on-the-spot entertainment! “
workshops
Do Scenes, Get Notes (Locomotive). Mondays in March, 7pm at Thistle Hall, registration from $65. With Jennifer O’Sullivan (that’s me).
WIT Tuesdays, Java Dance jams still running. I think there are more workshops running but right now I am on holiday and it was not as straightforward to gather as the Fringe shows (they’re all on the same website!) so please, send me your upcoming workshops so I can share them! Help me! I am so smol and need your info!
Help me collate all the upcoming improv and improv-adjacent events and useful news - tell me about yours!
imProfile: THE BIG HOO-HAA! PŌNEKE
Brace yourself for an epic improv faceoff. 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!
Who they are: The third iteration of The Big HOO-HAA! and the first outside of Australia! Run by Locomotive and featuring a rotating line up of beautiful Pōneke people.
What they do: Short- and mid-form improv comedy in a 90 minute showcase. Two teams (the Hearts and the Bones) play off for glory and laughter.
The vibe: Very silly. Very fun. Ruckus. Cheer, boo, laugh, enjoy.
Get involved: Right now we’re a closed ensemble but Locomotive runs workshops and who knows, one day there may be auditions or casting calls??
Stay updated: Follow The Big HOO-HAA! on Facebook and Instagram, and visit our website.
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.
Here is a playlist in case this email did not find you well.