Improv Obsession

This is Stephen Perlstein's thoughts, tips, discussions, and reviews about improv. I'm pretending I know everything about improv. I don't. I'm just writing this stuff as an outlet for my improv obsession in hopes that it will help me and any improvisors out there reading this. Feel free to disagree, or tell me what you think in the comments. Donations keep the show going.
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improvnonsense:

ucb-conspiracies:

Debunked! UCB’s “The Straight Men” is fake. It was entirely pre-planned by Will Hines.

Watch this video to learn how Will Hines: 


1) Knew the suggestion beforehand
2) Wasn’t authorized to be in this show
3) Manipulated the audience with his clothing
4) Communicated with an off-stage puppet master DURING THE SHOW.

Mr. Hines will not justify these baseless accusations with a response, and does not confirm or deny the presence of scripted material in this or every show he does.

Whoever is doing these is winning comedy.

This Saturday, May 25th is the Los Angeles Indie Improv Festival from 11 AM to Midnight. There are a ton of teams going up, and I thought I’d share who I’m gonna go see.

Cute Guys 12:20 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre (Blake Hogue, David Danipour, Drew CoolidgeErik Voss, Mark Schroeder, Michael Trubiano) Just a team filled with super talented dudes. 

Private Street 12:40 ArtWorks Theatre Main Theatre (Anais FairweatherCharlene deGuzmanDavid BrownDylan Booth Vigus,Mark SchroederYak Manrique) The Cagematch Kings! 25 wins at Second City, 5 wins at UCB, 100% worth checking out.

Triops! 12:12 at The Lounge Theatre (Brynna Campbell, Richie Root) I saw this adorable couple at the Valentine’s 11th Hour Show and they KILLED it.

Roadtrip! 1:40 The Lounge Theatre (Allan McLeodColton DunnDan LippertJacob WomackJonny SvarzbeinPam Murphy) WOAH! Cool line up!! I’m there.

Typhoon 2:40 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre(Allen Loeb, Casey Feigh, Dave TheuneJacob Reed, Lauren Lapkus, Mike Leffingwell) These guys are always super fun, and I guess they’re doing all group games? AWESOME!

Big Grande 3:40 at ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre (Dan Lippert, Drew Tarver, Jon Mackey,Ryan Rosenberg) These guys bring such creativity to their improv it’s constantly impressive.

Werner Hotdog 4:40 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre (Anthony Gioe, Casey Feigh, Cissy Fenwick,Clay Larsen, Greg Tuculescu, Josh Simpson,Julie Brister, Rene Gube) I love seeing this team host/do shows at Shapeshift. It’s an interesting form and it always goes in fun surprising directions.

Mr. Fahrenheit 5:20 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre (Lilan Bowden, Lindsay Katai, Wilder Smith) Super funny ladies! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen this group, but I’m REALLY excited to.

MurderCliff 6:20 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre (Chris Teregis, Dan Foster, Darien ClarkJessica McKenna, Jon Schmidt, Zach Reino) These guys I think are the ideal indie improv team. What does that mean? They’ve stuck together for a while, they do their own form, and they’re AMAZING. Also they dethroned longtime cagematch champs Heather and Miles. WOW.

Hip Hop Penguin 6:40 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre Casey Feigh, Jacob WomackNicholas Mandernach, Rene Gube) These guys did the best harold I’ve ever seen. In 5 minutes. Looking forward to seeing what they do in 20.

Reuben Starship 7:00 Art Works Theatre - Main Theatre (Anthony King, Charlie Sanders, Chris KulaEric Scott, Eugene Cordero, Joe WengertJohn Reynolds, Kate Spencer, Katie DippoldLennon Parham) Duh, go. Look at that line up.

Styx Martin 7:40 The Lounge (David Christenson, Dickie CopelandJonny Svarzbein, Lilan Bowden, Paul WelshSarah Claspell, Scott Davis, Stephen Perlstein) When you can’t get into all the headliner teams, come see my team!

Shakedown 8:40 ArtWorks Theatre - Studio A (Hector Santa Cruz, Joel Jensen, Matt SheelanNicholas Mandernach, Rene Gube, Toni Charlene) I admire this team so damn much.

Lord Willin’ 8:40 The Longue Theatre (Drew Tarver, Grant McFadden, Jacob WomackJohn Mackey, Marcy Minton, Mary HollandMatt Newell, Will McLaughlin) These guys do amazing southern style improv. Oh, and they’re all amazing.

9:40 Power Slot! Slave Leia, PALS, King and Woods, TAB. Be ANYWHERE at 9:40, and you’ll be watching a great show. (King and Woods technically starts at 9:30)

Ranger Danger and the Danger Ranger 11:00 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre (Drew Coolidge, Luis Cortes) A two man powerhouse. They had a good long run at the iO cagematch. They’re real funny, real talented, real unafraid. Check them out.

The Younger Statesman 11:20 The Clubhouse (Danny Tieger, David Kantrowitz, Matt ChesterMatt Schwartz) These guys are talented and I swear they do the most entertaining interesting opening I’ve ever seen.

It Came True 11:40 ArtWorks Theatre - Studio A (Andrew LawD’Arcy CardenDickie CopelandMarcy JarreauMike ScollinsPaul WelshSarah Claspell) I’m looking forward to ending my night watching my friends.

What shows are you seeing? What should I see? Who did I miss?

56 plays

Today, we’re talking Los Angeles Indie Improv Festival, THE SECOND YEAR! And back each for their second time, Casey FeighNick Mandernach, and Jonny Svarzbein. First we cover all the important information about the LAIIF, like it’s Saturday May 25th from 11AM to Midnight. Also we talk a bit about the organizing of the show with help from CrashbarTuesday Night ThunderRoom 10111th Hour Show, and the Manifesto Show  And we talk about some of the wonderful people who helped get the show on it’s feet this year including Improv Artvice master David Kantrowitz and the man behind Danny Cohen’s greatest hits, Danny Cohen! Also, someone throw an after party. 

ALSO, you should really review the show. See here: Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh Episodes Available Now.

Click here to download/subscribe in iTunes

Click here to find the Improv Obsession Podcast on Facebook

This is what the Improv Obsession Heroes are listening to right now. Thanks for donating

And, you can get these episodes. Although not gold edition, by leaving a review on the podcast in iTunes right now. More info here.

14 plays
Stephen Perlstein,
Improv Obsession Podcast

Christopher George is on the show! Christopher is the Assistant Artistic Director a at Finest City Improv in San Diego. He also writes an awesome improv blog, Riding on the Wall. Chris talks about his mission for creating a new improv scene in San Diego. Breaking from an oppressive theatre. And of course we talk about our approach and philosophy to improv. And he invites the entire world to come out to Finest City to see a show, all 7 Billion of you. Rate. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy.


ALSO, you should really review the show. See here: Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh Episodes Available Now.

Click here to download/subscribe in iTunes

Click here to find the Improv Obsession Podcast on Facebook

Click here for my Twitter @Perlstein

Yup, that’s right. I’ve got episodes from those two available right now. But, there’s a catch. I know, I hate me too.

It’s a review’s drive. Go to the iTunes store go rate and review the show. Don’t give it one star because you hate to do this. I wont count it if you do.  Write a review, and we’re one step closer to those episodes.

  • Once I get 100 reviews, Ian Robert’s episode will go online.
  • Once I get 200 reviews, Matt Walsh’s episode wil go online.

AND, if you’ve already donated to the show, if you’re an Improv Obsession Hero, you’re getting a link for those two episodes right now. If you wanna donate, I’ll send you the link. Any amount, I don’t want people giving me huge chunks of money anyway.

So there it is, you want those episode, you know what to do.

Read More

ucbconspiracy:

image

Its name is Harold

The Harold is a form of improv that was developed by Del Close in Chicago and brought to New York by the UCB.

That’s the story you hear when you see Harold Night at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. But there’s a part of the story that is being CONVENIENTLY left out.

lol. Cipha and I should be friends.

Dickie Copeland

Episode 41

Listen to in iTunes or Online

perlstein:

improvobsession:

Styx Martin, my improv team, is doing The Cagematch at UCBLA again Wednesday, April 10th at 11 PM. Come out! Tickets will be up today available here: http://losangeles.ucbtheatre.com/shows/view/1054

Facebook Event

(In this photo, we greeted our opponents, Private Street, with slow motion fighting.)

Tickets available now!

http://losangeles.ucbtheatre.com/shows/view/1054

54 plays
Stephen Perlstein,
Improv Obsession Podcast

Dickie Copeland is on the show today! You know Dickie from Styx Martin, Bitty Schrim, D’artagnan, Heavy Goose, Bikini Tiger, her wonderful writing, more. Dickie and I talk a bit about improv, but even MORE about developing yourself as a professional comedy person. We talk about why I should have changed my name, how to focus on a path for writers, determining and going after your type for actors, and also, why is game so hard. Also, we spend the whole episode drinking whisky so you know it’s a good episode! Subscribe, rate, comment, enjoy, donate.

Click here to download/subscribe in iTunes

Click here to find the Improv Obsession Podcast on Facebook

Click here for my Twitter @Perlstein

Styx Martin, my improv team, is doing The Cagematch at UCBLA again Wednesday, April 10th at 11 PM. Come out! Tickets will be up today available here: http://losangeles.ucbtheatre.com/shows/view/1054

Facebook Event

(In this photo, we greeted our opponents, Private Street, with slow motion fighting.)

First time I’ve ever performed in the UCB cagematch this Wednesday at 11:00 PM. Be there! Styx Martin! Woo!