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<p>Entries in Improv (73)</p>
<p>Friday Oct 21 2011  Cagematch @ The UCBT - 10.20.11</p>
<p>Friday, October 21, 2011 at 12:34PM Hardcore wrestling legend, standup comedian, and god Mick Foley made a surprise drop-in at Cagematch! It was insane! I tweeted "This is bigger than Diddy, right?" to which @chrisgethard promptly replied, "no way!" Okay, maybe not quite Diddy big, but on a scale of UCBT celebrity appearances from Matthew "Free Money" Lesko to Diddy, it's wayyyyy up there. It's one of those epic moments that only happens here. The UCBW has been around how long--like 5 years, right? And to get one of the most iconic pro-wrestlers of all time to not only come down to the show, but participate in a match! That's major. Can only imagine it's a dream come true for everyone involved.</p>

<p>"Have you heard the one about Superfly Jimmy Snuka?"</p>

<p>Razor Raymond (someone dressed like Razor Ramon on a Razor scooter) looks on disapprovingly as Mick tells everyone he'll be tonight's Guest Enforcer.</p>

<p>Zach Linder is just barely able to get back his special elbow pad from Mick.</p>

<p>Silvija Ozols, Gavin Speiller and Eddie Dunn of Rogue Elephant. I had a bad angle, sorry!!!</p>

<p>Kate Riley, Don Fanelli and Dru Johnston of Fuck That Shit, the new Cagematch champions!</p>

<p>Here's how the UCBW match ended... it was awesome.</p>

<p>Mick tweeted later:</p>

<p>> What an amazing time@UCBWin NYC last night - so many talented performers, and an incredibly supportive crowd! Thanks to@emilykim@charlietodd@themattlittle@robotriley@maryiampietroand all the people I missed...and everyone who sent out such spirited tweets. I would love to do another show at the historic Upright Citizens Brigade Theater!</p>

<p>The Apiary | 20 Comments | 130 References tagged Fuck That Shit , Mick Foley , Rogue Elephant in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary , Improv , Show Recap Friday Sep 30 2011  THE HONEY SHOT - AIRWOLF</p>
<p>Friday, September 30, 2011 at 9:00AM  Photo: Alden Ford</p>

<p>* THE PLUG: Don't miss "Airwolf: Let's Go Back to Your Place," happening SATURDAYS @ 7:30PM at The UCB-East | $10</p>

<p>Wanna plug? E-mail me photo & credit. And join our flickr group. Send 10 days in advance.</p>

<p>keithhuang | 2 Comments | 58 References tagged Airwolf , UCB East in Improv Monday Aug 15 2011  Del Close Marathon 13 Video Recaps</p>
<p>Monday, August 15, 2011 at 11:54AM The UCBT has put together some daily recaps of the 13th Annual Del Close Marathon. Relive the memories over and over and over.</p>

<p>Day 1</p>

<p>Day 2</p>

<p>The Apiary | 2 Comments | 3 References tagged Del Close Marathon 13 in Improv Monday Aug 01 2011  Things I Was Offered to Cover Someone's Shift at The PIT</p>
<p>Monday, August 1, 2011 at 2:56PM If you have the pleasure of interning at The PIT, not only will you SAVE BIG $$$ on your improv classes and learn some of the ins and outs of running a comedy theater, but you'll also get placed on a somewhat humorous email list introducing you to the lurid, backdoor black market of shift swapping. Each intern is assigned a weekly time slot for 8 weeks and if something comes up one of those weeks, then you need to find someone to swap with you. These requests are generally accompanied by dramatic, unhinged emails with all caps subject lines like 'OH GOD SOMEBODY HELP ME' and 'I'M NEEDED AT MY 2ND COUSIN'S CHRISTENING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WON'T ANYONE HAVE MERCY??' Here are all the offers I got over the past couple of months: * "I've got a friend who works at Baked by Melissa. I could hook you up with cupcakes. Or something other than pastries. It's really up to you."</p>

<p>* "I can also bake some delightful treats for you."</p>

<p>* "I'll give you donuts."</p>

<p>* "I will buy you two beers after your shift. Or if you prefer, bring you cookies."</p>

<p>* "I will totally swap a shift with you on a day I'm free, and buy you a beer or two. Best part, I'll be at the bar after the show when you get off of your shift. This means I can buy you the drink right then and there. Immediate gratification."</p>

<p>* "If anyone would be willing to cover for me, I would buy you so many coffees or anything cheap and legal you desire."</p>

<p>* "I'll buy you a drink or a cookie or gum."</p>

<p>* "I am willing to knit you either a hat or a scarf (well, as long as you're willing to wait for a few months.). Or if you hate knitted goods, I can buy you a drink."</p>

<p>Which would you take?</p>

<p>The Apiary | 1 Comment | 7 References tagged The PIT in Improv Friday Jul 29 2011  WitOut's Del Close Marathon 13 Preview</p>
<p>Friday, July 29, 2011 at 11:12AM The Philly comedy site WitOut released a guide to the 13th annual Del Close Marathon, happening August 12th - 14th at the UCBT-NY. Time to start getting pumped! The Apiary | 6 Comments | 15 References tagged DCM 13 , WitOut in Improv Friday May 13 2011  Dirty South Comedy Theater Founder Zach Ward: "Next stop, Boston!"</p>
<p>Friday, May 13, 2011 at 12:34PM  It was announced today that Dirty South Improv and North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival founder, Zach Ward, is moving to Boston. And I assume he's chartering a Fung Wah bus in order to get there. He writes:</p>

<p>> "On May 5th I accepted my new job as Managing Director of ImprovBoston. The week since has been a whirlwind of packing and planning for myself and Jessica, considering options for DSI Comedy Theater, and OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS! Wait, before I continue, you should read THE ANNOUNCEMENT!</p>

<p>DSI Comedy Fans can rest assured, North Carolina will enjoy the same quality comedy classes and weekly performances that they have come to expect from DSI. My #Hustle and our local company wouldn’t have it any other way. I will stay Executive Producer, but the theater will be under new management starting this Summer. And Lord knows NCCAF (@nccomedyarts) can’t stop and won’t stop, So get ready for 2012!."</p>

<p>PREVIOUSLY</p>

<p>* A week in the life of Zach Ward</p>
<p>* Zach will give you vacation tips if you're ever in the South</p>
<p>* A chat with ZW's future coworker, Will Luera</p>

<p>The Apiary | Post a Comment | 5 References tagged Zach Ward in Improv Monday May 09 2011  2011 Summer Intensive Improv Classes Across the Country</p>
<p>Monday, May 9, 2011 at 2:26PM  An image I found when Googling "improv summer camp" I recently wrote about what appeared to be some kind of twisted endurance test for improv newbies, but it turned out I stumbled upon the wonderful world of improv summer camp. And it's kind of exciting! Several theaters around the country now offer seasonal intensive classes that range from one week to over a month--all at doorbuster pricing too. It's perfect for college students, performers eyeing a relocation, jobless ex-cons, angsty teens who just got in an argument with their parents and are running away, drifters without families, and people with so many vacation days you want to throw up on them--basically everyone! How nice would it be to spend a few weeks in a different city, make some new buds, and get the lay of the land?</p>

<p>2011 Summer Improv Intensives</p>

<p>New York</p>

<p>Magnet Theater</p>

<p>5/16 - 6/3 - Improv Levels 1-3 - This program concludes with a student graduation show, directed by Magnet founder Armando Diaz. - $599</p>

<p>6/9 - 6/12 - Camp Magnet - Their annual summer retreat is back for its 4th year. Go camping in the Catskill Mountains and enjoy 4 days and 3 nights of improv, writing workshops, and adventure. - $549</p>

<p>The Peoples Improv Theater</p>

<p>7/11 - 8/5 - Summer Improv Intensive - Complete an entire improv program, Levels 1-4, in just one month. Classes are held M-F from 2-5pm. The intensive will follow with a graduation performance. - $1,000</p>

<p>The UCBT NY</p>

<p>7/18 - 7/31 - Improv 201 - Open for students who've completed 101 some time in the past 2 years. Two or more instructors teach the class jointly. - $425</p>

<p>Looking for an intensive 101 here? The UCBT's class coordinator tells us:</p>

<p>> We posted all of our summer intensives in March to give students enough time to plan travel around class dates. We listed a few sections per month, but at this point, most of them are sold out. If someone drops out of a class, their spot is opened up online and registers on a first come first served basis. You can subscribe to our RSS feed in order to be alerted when new spots are available or new classes are listed.feed://newyork.ucbtheatre.com/classes/rss . We offer intensives year round as well.</p>

<p>Chicago</p>

<p>iO Theater</p>

<p>7/11 - 8/11 - Improv Levels 1 - 4B - The Summer Intensive condenses the entire iO Theater school of thought into five incredible weeks. Each week, a different iO teacher instructs the class in a particular level of curriculum. - $1100</p>

<p>Second City</p>

<p>Weekly sessions running 6/13 - 8/19 - Levels 1 - 2 of Improv & Comedy Writing - Learn improv and sketch writing, meet new friends, and take advantage of Chicago's rich comedy scene. 2 weeks - $1000</p>

<p>Los Angeles</p>

<p>iO West Theater</p>

<p>7/25 - 8/26 - Improv Levels 1 - 5 - Condensing the first 5 levels of their 7 level curriculum into one month, you will master the Harold and have a nice tan when all is said and done. - $1400</p>

<p>Groundlings</p>

<p>Various dates 6/20 - 8/12 - Teen Summer Workshops - Get the jump on an illustrious comedy career early with weekly performance classes designed just for teens. - $350</p>

<p>The Apiary | 1 Comment | 8 References tagged summer comedy class , summer improv classes in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary , Improv Thursday May 05 2011  INSIDE WITH: BLAINE SWEN OF IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE</p>
<p>Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 10:21AM  Blaine Swen | Photo: Ari Scott</p>

<p>By: Keith Huang</p>

<p>Improvised Shakespeare is in town this weekend and Blaine Swen, one of the Bard of Avon's Make-Em-Up Boys, answered a few burning questions.</p>

<p>For anyone who has recently signed up for a Level Whatever improv class from Whichever Improv School, watching Improvised Shakespeare is like eating one of those fancy-ass meals on Top Chef -- it's just delicious beyond words. Furthermore, it's chock-full of improv nutrients like Hardcore Listening, Honest Emotional Reaction and the largely unteachable Speaking in Iambic Pentameter and Saying Words Like 'Forsooth.' And maybe one of the best indications that this show is truly great is that the sell-out audiences usually comprise non-improv, private citizens.</p>

<p>Here's what Blaine had to say:</p>

<p>Where does one acquire breeches and a tunic ... poet's shirt ... peasant's shirt? What do you call it?</p>
<p>We don't have names for them. We love them beyond labels. You can't find them anywhere. We bought all of them.</p>

<p>Do you have any preshow superstitions? Like not saying the name "Macbeth"?</p>
<p>We don't have any superstitions, but we do have several pre-show rituals. Those are sacred and I've said too much about them already.</p>

<p>What did you think of Shakespeare when you were in high school and college?</p>
<p>In high school I hated Shakespeare. I publicly burned his works. Truthfully, I think we all really enjoyed reading and performing Shakespeare in high school and college.</p>

<p>Do you have any teachers who might be surprised that you pay tribute to the Bard in such a creative way?</p>
<p>My teachers would be shocked to know that I read. I don't think that I, or any of the other guys, had any teachers who would be shocked to know that we do this; though I think we have plenty of teachers that would be really intrigued by the concept.</p>

<p>How often do you perform non-Shakespearean improv?</p>
<p>Most of us perform in several groups outside of The Improvised Shakespeare Company. A lot of us work for the iO Theatre and The Second City in different capacities, so we get a chance to do non-Shakespearean improv fairly regularly.</p>

<p>Does using Elizabethan language and performing Shakespeare on such a regular basis affect your regular improv?</p>
<p>One of the great things about improvising Shakespeare is that the form not only encourages, but demands heightened emotional reaction. I've found that after performing improvised Shakespeare I'll tend to find it easier to emotionally react no matter what form we're doing.</p>

<p>Have you seen any other improvised Shakespeare companies?</p>
<p>I was part of one many years ago in Los Angeles called The Backstreet Bards. I thought we were great.</p>

<p>You guys are the darlings of the Del Close Marathon, which is saying a lot. Do you get nervous before that show?</p>
<p>We were definitely nervous before our first shows at DCM in 2008, but the audiences are so receptive and exciting that now our nervousness is channeled more into an excited anticipation. That's not to say that we don't have a few butterflies in our stomachs. I think it's always good to have a couple. It keeps you on your toes.</p>

<p>* THE PLUG: Don't miss Improvised Shakespeare, happening this weekend FRI @ 7:30 & 10PM | SAT @ 10PM | Tickets</p>

<p>keithhuang | Post a Comment tagged Blaine Swen , Improvised Shakespeare in Improv Page 1 2 3 4 5 ... 10 Next 8 Entries » Copyright © 2011, [theapiary.org]. All rights reserved.</p>