A few words from Ed Doris about the Ongoing Improv Classes...

From Ed Doris, the teacher for AWM's Ongoing Improvisation Classes...

Improvisational theater is in an interesting place in Kansas City. The scene and community is growing and there is more collaboration than ever before. Established Improv troupes are still running and reinventing themselves all the time. The Kansas City Improv festival was a great success. There were sell out shows and some of the best performances yet. I can’t remember a time when so much was happening with improvisational theater in this town. It’s a great feeling to see what is going on in this town.

Improvisational theater has a long, global history (Comedia Del'arte) and yet it is associated with some of the worst aspects of pop culture. When most people think of improv, Who's Line Is It Anyway? is the first thing to come to mind; if not a group of people in a still shot displaying jazz hands and wearing some "puny" t-shirts in enough colors they make a bag of Skittles seem bigoted. Despite what is commonly associated with improvisational acting, it is a skill that is desired in more and more actors. With the advent of Long form improvisation (Del Close, Improv Olympic) and the development of improvisational acting techniques for scripted theater (Ann Bogart, Steppenwolf theater, SITI Theater), improvisational training is a necessary part of an actors resume. Unfortunately there is no bag of tricks, or an equation to memorize, that will guarantee success. Improvisation is a skill. It can be learned but, like any craft, it must be honed. The only way to do that is to participate in it.
As an improvisational actor since 1996 I have had the good fortune to find a craft that I love. In that time I have been able to work with some of Chicago's and LA's top directors and improvisational actors. The classes that I have put together are designed to provide a foundation for actors with any level of experience with improvisational theater. Using several of the main theories of improvisation, I have focused on trying to integrate what I have learned into a cohesive body of knowledge. The result is this series of workshops. I do not want you to experience glorified charades, seemingly unrelated physical activities or short form games that leave the participants wondering why they are wasting their time. Rather I want you to recognize the tools available to you, tools we all have, and understand how to develop them.  One of the most important things that I have learned is how invaluable experience is. This is why at the conclusion of each month’s workshops the opportunity to perform is available. You can’t learn to improvise with out actually improvising. You have to risk failure and engage the craft to find success in it. In this way, and in many other ways, improv is a lot like life.
I wouldn't do this if I didn't love it. There aren’t many things better than sharing improv with an audience. I am even more excited to share my experience with performers. I look forward to seeing you at a workshop.

Ed Doris

Teleprompter Workshop 9/25 1-4pm

We have a few spaces left for our Acting with a Teleprompter workshop this Sunday.

Contact actorswithmoxie@gmail.com to sign up!

There will not be another one till the Spring!

Just Announced...Workshop in Columbia, MO

Stacey Siegert & Megan Hovde Wilkins...

We will be teaching a day of Improvisation & Acting for the Camera

10.28.11 from 9am-4pm at

TRYPS Children's Theater in Columbia, MO

for details check out http://www.trypskids.com/

IFC Discounts!

If you are an IFC member you get $15 off a workshop/class at Actors with Moxie!

Please attach a copy of your IFC Membership Card to your reg form when signing up.

KC Improvisation Festival - 2nd Weekend

Hello!

 

Just a heads up...

 

The KC Improv festival's 2nd weekend is this weekend Sept 17 & 18.

 

The workshops being held are:

 

Playing The Game of The Scene & The Scene of The Game (10:00am - 12:30pm: Intermediate & Advanced)

Joe Bill: In this workshop we'll bring to light the deeper scenic opportunity for character development and connection while playing the game dialogue of the scene. What's THAT mean? It's tending to your scenic chops as you tend to your game chops. It means it's not that you play the game, it's how your character plays it. Come, wear it like a veil, with power.

Bold Beginnings (10:00am - 12:30pm: All levels)

Mark Sutton: This workshop will give you tools to begin your scenes with power and decisiveness. You will practice being able to identify the magic of your creations and playing it, being proactive and trusting your instincts. You will leave with a stronger presence and great confidence in your own choices.

Acting for Improvisors (10:00am - 12:30pm: All levels)

Stephen Ruddy This workshop is a crash course in stagecraft and acting technique for the improvisor. It also develops the essential acting and improv skill of being "in the moment". We will apply these skills to grounded, fun, improv scenework, using the Gravid Water techniques. This class will benefit anyone looking to become a more dynamic, confident, powerful performer on stage. Also, it is fun.

 

Check out http://kcimprov.com/festival/workshops.php for more info!

 

 

Date change!

The Ongoing Improvisation session has been changed to start Monday Sept 19th. Check out a previous post for info...

Sign up!

Never Forget...

Yesterday was the 10 year Anniversary of 9/11...

I lived in NYC on that horrific day.

I know I will never forget.