2/18/16 Rehearsal Recap

2/18/16 Rehearsal, 7pm to 9:30pm

Present:  Alycin, Taryn, Emily, Paul, Charles, Stephanie, D'Arcy, Rebecca, Jeff

This rehearsal blog talks a lot about how we will work and function in rehearsals and as a group (discussions).  It's a good thing to read every now and then to refresh the brainy parts.  ;-)  It also discusses what we did in this rehearsal (What We Did).

First --- I loved the overall vibe of the rehearsal, so thank you for bringing the positivity!  It was good to see newer and older faces,  ;-)

DISCUSSIONS

Timeliness:  Rehearsals will start promptly at 7, so players are requested to show up between 6:45 & 7pm to meet & greet others.  If you are running late, please text Jeff and ensure you warm yourself up before you join the group in rehearsal.

Life happens and it is understood that people are going to be late, just keep in mind that we have a short window (2 hours once a week) to rehearse, so we need to fill up as much rehearsal time with rehearsing and fun that we can.

Also, arriving on time means we'll all warm up together and that will allow us to get in synch and all be on the same page and less information will have to be repeated.  :-)

Communication:  We'll follow a simple line of communication in rehearsals - if someone is speaking and you have something to say, please raise your hand.  If someone is questioned directly, let the person who is questioned answer.  If you have something to say and you haven't been given a chance to speak, please make sure you continue to raise your hand.  This will allow everyone to have a voice.

Positivity & Support:  We are shifting from focusing on rules of improv and rules of games and onto acting, building characters, and creating an ensemble where we are all feeding off of each other's characters and risks.  No more rules.  We are all at different levels of experience, talent, and abilities. We are all working to improve our individual crafts, providing support & encouragement for others, and forging a group mind for improv.

Everyone is on their own learning and exploration path, so we will all encourage that person's journey and we will support each other in positive ways.

Critiquing the Craft:  Since we are focusing on exploration and growth for each actor (and the group as a whole), this means when we are watching our fellow actors, we should observe their acting and consider if what they are trying to do is coming across on stage.  This is nuance, not right or wrong.  More about the art of acting than if it works for a game.  Growth and exploration is our focus, not if it's funny or based on any given rules.

We will use questions, to the actor, about their character and their approach, that the actor will answer, and this will allow each actor to be active in their own growth.  Suggestions may be offered, but only after these questions have been answered and the actor is given a chance to consider the options for themselves.

This process, besides allowing each actor to be active in their growth instead of listening to the director or other players offer suggestions, is going to allow actors to become more aware of what they are doing onstage while they are doing it.  Just as you are aware of many things while you are driving, riding a bike, cooking, talking, etc. - you will become aware of yourself and what you are doing onstage.  The more aware of yourself that you are onstage, the more ownership you have of the place you have onstage and in a scene.  If everyone owns their place onstage, improv can be magical for all involved.

WHAT WE DID

Soft Auditions:  All present at this rehearsal took part in auditioning for the group.  Each person was asked questions and then each was asked to perform for 2 minutes.  Everyone (new, old, returning) will partake in this audition and we will hold these at least once, maybe twice a year.

The reason behind the auditions are to allow everyone's intentions about themselves and the group to be heard.  As well, it allows for people to get to know one another a bit more in an intensified way.   The reason we will repeat the auditions for members who have already auditioned is because people may change their intentions, needs, & wants for themselves within the group and this will allow each member to express their intentions.

What I really enjoyed about this, besides the 2 minute performances, was the vulnerability and sharing of thoughts and ideas that took place.

Hot Spots Shuffle

With 30 minutes remaining, I decided we would play a new version of Hot Spots - I call it Hot Spots Shuffle.  In this free-for-all, instead of one person going on stage, this version allows for one person or as many as the person inspired to move the scene feels like having on stage.

I primarily did it so we could just play, as a group, to end the rehearsal and wanted the no-rules approach to be bathed in our improvisational sweat.  I also did it because it is a formless long form and a good introduction to recurring ideas and shuffling of thoughts and bodies.

I thought it would go for 30 minutes and the rehearsal would be over, but we played it for an hour and fun was had by all.

Thanks for bring your energy --- see you next week!

MAAD 2016 New Horizons: Respect & Support Others, Take Risks, and Have Fun!

2016 Mantra:  Respect & Support Others, Take Risks, & Have Fun!

The MAAD blog has re-emerged from its long slumber.  I will try to keep this up on a weekly or bi-weekly basis and focus on what we cover at rehearsals and for members to post.

Please feel free to respond and post when you feel inspired about something that took place at a rehearsal, show, or if you feel like sharing your thoughts about improvisation/acting.

Past:

Entering our 4th season, on February 11th, MAAD performed its first show in about 18 months and, with a packed house, lots of food & clothing items & cash donated to the St. Francis House & The Doris, and for 5 of the 9 members the show being their 1st or 2nd ever, I was very pleased with how we performed.

Though the show was not perfect, I felt as though everyone had good moments on stage and the audience's response during the show leads me to believe that they had a great time.  It was a lot of fun and from what I could tell, it looked as though all of the players were having fun, too.

Everybody brought positive energy the night of the show and there was a lot of prep work done.  Daily Green & First Magnitude donated food and beverages and the audience was lively and in a generous mood.  Good times.

Future:

Doris Renovations:  2016 for The Doris means renovations starting to take place!  The Doris is looking to have a stage and a complete gallery by the end of this year.  As well, they plan on restarting their classes this May.  I will definitely be teaching improv classes (and stand-up, too), so I may ask if a couple of you visit from time to time.  :-)

The Doris people have been hard at work trying to get the grants and funds in place and things are happening.  Note that as a not-for-profit organization, things tend to move slower than they do for commercial enterprizes.

The great thing is the Doris folks have a vision and, as I've seen before, they will get this ball rolling again!  I saw some updated plans and good things are in store for us.  :-)

MAAD Shows:  After the success of the February 11th benefit for the St. Francis House, we have been given the green light to continue to host benefits for other local organizations.  This is a great way for us to get involved in the community while learning our craft and having fun.

MAAD Rehearsals:  We will be shifting our focus to character building and scene/game entry points and use these rehearsals to allow each actor to find ways into a character and into a scene.  This time of individual discovery and working on the craft of acting will lead to the overall growth of our improv troupe.