Improv Troupe Fractured After Dispute
A local improv troupe was torn apart when its six members all insisted on different but equally stupid team names to use for their first performance, sources say.
By Jay Miller
LOS ANGELES, CA. -- A local improv troupe was torn apart when its six members all insisted on different but equally stupid team names to use for their first performance, sources say.
“I thought Shia LaBuff was a shoe-in,” said J.D. Starks, five-year performer in the Los Angeles improv scene. “I even photoshopped Shia LaBeouf as a buff guy. Just absolutely shredded, bulging muscles and all. I guess I was before my time; I’ll just hang on to that graphic until the time is right.”
Starks, a L.A. native, assembled the unnamed group with five other performers he met at various local improv auditions where they were all passed over in favor of more gifted yes, and-ers.
“Mine was Johnny Cochran Blocker,” said Amy Lundt, a local improviser specializing in the Harold format. “But no one else really got on board. Really? Are you telling me Lemonade Starship, Krispy Kramer and Dr. Peter Pepper are better than Johnny Cochran Blocker? As if.”
When we explained that none of the names really connected with us or made us want to see the show, a frustrated Lundt rolled her eyes and “wiped” the scene by standing from her seat and half-jogging out of the room.
“Our team name should’ve been the entirety of the lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody,” said Tucker Brown, a recent Improv 101 graduate. “It would have been so funny for our name to have been just, you know, the whole song, but spoken without any music or anything.”
When asked where their name ideas came from, each of the six performers chuckled to themselves and muttered something about their idea being an inside joke from a scene they did a while back that was ‘hard to explain if you weren’t there.’
Who Directs Our Halloween Improv Comedy Teen Slasher?
This year’s Teen Slasher is directed by Jay Miller Teen Slasher and I had a chance to ask him a few questions. He has some great insight into improvising!
Don’t miss teen slasher this year. Only 4 performances!
Jay Miller has survived a lot of Teen Slasher shows.
1. How long have you been improvising?
I’ve been improvising for just over 9 years now.
2. How did you get started?
I was introduced to improv through a high school drama teacher. When Summer rolled around, I stated looking for places to do improv outside of school. This led me to Blacktop’s Meetup page and I started attending the theater’s drop-in workshops.
3. So many people are scared to improvise, and think, “I can’t do this.” Initially, when you started, did you have to push past fear? How did you do that?
Fear and anxiousness were certainly barriers I had to push past when I started doing improv. The key ended up being trusting my teammates to support me. I learned that improv is a team sport and realizing I wasn’t alone helped tremendously. I still feel anxious sometimes, but I think that nervous energy catapults me into some very fun and interesting performances.
Jay Miller…..sexy black and white version!
4. Teen horror films always seems to have that one moment the audience rolls there eyes and says, “why would you do that?” What was a moment when you were a teen you look back on and think, “why would you do that?”
Oof. I mean, I was a teenager, so I roll my eyes at pretty much everything I did back then. One example is my incredibly angsty MySpace page. I’m glad that site crashed and burned because I never want to see that profile again.
5. What would be something someone would be surprised to know about you as a teenager?
I wasn’t a people person in the slightest. I hated being the center of attention and avoided as human contact as much as possible. That’s still mostly true, actually, except for when I’m performing.
6. If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, but all your human needs—such as food and water—were taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?
Tough one. I’d go for a sleeping bag and a tent. Might as well be able to sleep comfortably if I’m stranded!
“Did you just see that improvised show! I nearly died!”
7. What’s your favorite horror film?
You’re going to make me pick my favorite? Okay. If I have to choose, there’s a horror-comedy called Gravy (2014) that has a special place in my heart. It wasn’t a critical or box office hit but I’ve always loved it to death. If we’re strictly talking horror movies, IT (2017) is still one of my favorites. I’m a huge Stephen King fan and I think the 2017 adaption was incredible.
Honorable Mentions Treehouse (2019), Get Out (2017), Us (2019) Scream (1996), Cabin in the Woods (2011), The Thing (1982), Psycho (1960), Dude Bro Party Massacre III (2015) and countless others that we really don’t have time to list. Trust me, picking my favorite out of all of these is near impossible.
8. Why did you want to direct Teen Slasher?
Teen Slasher has always been my favorite Blacktop Show. Horror and comedy are my favorite genres, period. They’re both difficult genres to execute well but garner incredible audience reactions when done right. Doing both at the same time and succeeding? That’s been a dream of mine for a long time. Did I succeed? You’ll have to see the show and find out for yourself.
9. How many times have you been in Teen Slasher? What's been your favorite memory?
Geez. That’s really tough, considering my bogus memory. The closest estimation I can manage is that I’ve been in five or so years of teen slasher. This is our ninth year performing the show and while I wasn’t planning on performing initially, you just might see me in the Halloween night show. That would make six!
A Halloween comedy that offers a step and repeat?! We have it at Blacktop!
10. What has surprised you about directing Teen Slasher?
It surprised me how much I had to sharpen up my communication skills to direct effectively and bring my personal vision to life. I’m good at communicating in other parts of my life, improv included but directing required a new level of communication entirely. I’ve certainly grown a great deal from it.
11. You've been in five shows… So you must know, what's the secret of getting the blood off your skin and clothes? Any tips on getting blood out of clothes, hair, or skin?
Yeah, that’s always fun. Clothes require a cold soak, followed by a cold wash. No hot water. None. I can’t stress that enough. For skin and hair, you just need a few gentle washes. It might take a handful to get the reddish color out, but rest assured that you will!
12. What's one tip you would give another improviser interested in genre work?
The most basic advice I have is to learn to tell a story. Just about every genre comes down to telling a story, so understanding how narrative structure works will help you in every genre show you do. All that’s left after that is to learn the genre you want to perform by watching whatever you can to inspire you. Some genres tweak narrative structure a bit, so look for those changes and note any tropes you see popping up in those genres a lot.
In short, if you put in the time to understand the narrative structure and the specific genre you’re emulating, it’ll take you a LONG way.
13. Advice for future Teen Slasher directors?
Have a vision in mind and make sure you’re putting the performers through exercises that help them make that vision a reality. Also, make time to hear the performers’ ideas. They’re performing the show and might have insights that weren’t apparent to you. That was certainly the case for me!
How to Be a Comedian: Listen to Successful Comics
How to be a comedian starts with one step. It all starts with desire. Desire to make people laugh and share your thoughts with an audience. Listen to the pros.
If you're thinking of jumping on stage and becoming a comedian, you should! There are lots of open mics in Sacramento and Placer in 2019. In fact, we have two open mics every week at Blacktop Comedy. While you have plenty of opportunities to get on stage, you might also be wondering, "how to become a comedian"? It's a great question, and every comics path is different but it begins at the same point.
One-Step Stand-Up Process
There's not a seven-step process to becoming a comedian, a five-step process, or even a two-step process. There's one step. It all starts with desire. Desire to make people laugh and share your thoughts with an audience. Feel that desire, listen to that voice, trust your instinct, and do it. Just do it. That's the step.
Are you scoffing? Rolling your eyes?” Muttering, "Great. Thanks, Paul for that inspirational pep talk. Got it. Do it? What wisdom!"
I understand. It does sound simple, but it's true. Getting on stage for the first time is a monumental challenge. It can be the hardest part. Personally, I waited 4 years before I had the courage to step onstage. Yikes. Don't do that! Believe me. I regret waiting.
Let's pretend you did it! Congratulations! You made people laugh, or maybe you made no one laugh…. but you still gave it a shot and that counts for everything! The second time is easier. And, believe me, you’ll probably want to get back up there. Did you feel that rush of endorphins onstage? It’s addictive.
How to Become Great
Now comes the hard part...becoming a better comedian, creating new jokes, and fine-tuning the material you already have. I think many people who ask, "how can I be a comedian," really mean, "how can I be a GREAT comedian?"
Luckily, you don’t have to just listen to me. I brought in the professionals. I asked comedians who are killing to share some comedy advice. They all started at local open mics, love what they do, and perform regularly. These are the people you want to listen too, and I’ve compiled their wisdom here, for you (and for me! I got a lot out of this too. Thank you so much John, Wendy, Becky, Al, Josh, Drew, Benton, Aurora, Luke, Jack, and )
Stand Up Comedy Tips.
I asked, "What do you wish you knew when you began stand up?" and their answers blew me away. Thoughtful and insightful comedy insights. Enjoy!
Make friendships look around you at the mic you are standing at now. Find the circle of comics walk up to them and introduce yourself. Friendships will take you past the starting line of comedy before your talents will.
Johnny Casino
Don't forget to have fun. It doesn't matter city or venue appreciates that someone booked you for a show. Be kind even to the assholes it helps you sleep better. Be on time but don't be a pushover. Thank your crowd they are why you have the ability to call yourself a comedian so just go be funny and try your best. Don't be a dick in anyone eye copays are too expensive for that nonsense. Love Mama Wendy
Wendy Lewis
One, study the greats. Great basketball players study shot form; great architects analyze past construction. Why should comedy be any different? Pay attention to what makes a joke work well and incorporate those same ideas into your jokes. Maybe it’s a tone of voice, a style of act-out, a moment of vulnerability. Whatever it is, use it!
Two, be your unique self! Everyone has used Tinder, but has everyone else gotten detention for reading a Bible in class? Did everyone else grow up on food stamps and think there was a separate economy for food-based purchases versus non-food purchases? Share the perspectives, opinions, and life experiences that make you who you are.
Three, when something in life makes you laugh, write it down. Your job is then to take that funny idea and put the audience in the same context as you when you laughed at it so they can laugh at it too. If they don’t laugh at something that made you laugh, work harder on setting them up so they experience the thought the same way you did.
Four, be a reporter. Don’t stop at the funny idea/premise. Ask the Ws: Who, What, Why, Where, How, When and build a better joke. “Nevada is ranked 51st in education” is a funny joke, but answering questions like “Why are they ranked so low?” “What was it like learning in the 51st ranked state?” are where you find the best jokes and really turn an idea into a real bit.
Drew Shafer
I would say the best advice I can give to someone who wants to take it more seriously is to stick with it. There is going to be a times (especially when you first start) that’s it’s not going to go well, but you have to learn to just brush it off and keep going. Don’t get discouraged by a bad set; everyone has them. I know it comes off a little cliché, but it’s true. The only way to get better is to keep at it.
Jack Scotti
One, write as often as possible. Every day if possible. Every time you get an idea or the thought for a joke, write it down. Try to take between 30 – 60 minutes a day and just sit somewhere where it is nice and quiet and write.
Two, go to as many open mics as you can. There seems to be an open mic just about every night of the week. Sometimes multiple mics on the same night. Try to get as much stage time as possible.
Three, when you go to an open mic, have a plan. Before you go, set a goal for the night. Do you want to do only your new material? Work out jokes you’ve been struggling with? Go with a plan in mind and stick with it.
Four, be supportive. Go to a show that you are not on. Go to open mics. Introduce yourself to fellow comedians, producers and venue managers. Be nice and courteous. If you go to a show that you are not on, stay out of the way. Stay out of the green room. Just sit in the audience and enjoy the show
Five, don’t be a jerk. This should be a no brainer but needs to be said. Be nice to people especially other comedians, producers, venue managers etc. If you come across as cocky or jerk, nobody is going to want to work with you or put you on their show. So yeah, be nice to people because you never know where other comedians are going to end up in a few years. They may end up managing the comedy club or be the next big up and coming producer. Trust me, if you are a jerk, they WILL remember you.
Six, don’t run the light. Let’s say you are at an open mic and you get 5 minutes. When you get the light, wrap up and get off the stage. Don’t try and cram in the rest of your material. If you are on a booked show, the same rule applies. If you are on a show, when you get the light, wrap up and get off the stage. The biggest pet peeve that venue managers have is comedians that run the light. They will notice if you take advantage of the time given you. Just don’t do it.
Morty Stein
There are so many things I wish I knew when I started comedy. The number one thing I wish I knew was : Don’t try to be funny. Be yourself and speak your truth. The reason a lot of us get into comedy is because when something bad or good happens, we tend to start laughing. Maybe because we’re a little sick in the head, but I think it’s because, at that moment, we feel like everything is out of our control and we just have to throw our hands up, take it, laugh, and move on. Showing that vulnerability in an honest way is funny. The way you explain your truth is your voice. The moment you stop trying to be like what you “think” a comedian should be is when audiences will respect you and, dare I say, laugh. Also, move the mic stand behind you if you pull the mic out of it. It upstages you and is distracting!
Aurora Singh
I would say get up on stage as much as possible. Professional comics have told me 10 times a week is not enough. I know where we live it can be tough to even get on stage 3-4 times a week. But having two mics a week at Blacktop certainly helps!
Also record EVERY set, and label the recordings. Listen to them, refine your stuff. This is the work part. It sucks, but it helps a lot. Don't worry about hating the sound of your own voice, that's normal.
Write detailed notes. It sucks to write a good idea down and then not be able to find it later. It doesn't matter if you use a notepad, sticky notes, or an app on your phone, just be organized
Luke Soin
Be yourself but be different. Comedy is crazy, it's not like any other day job or hobby. You're in control of your own destiny. There are no guidelines to stand-up. You don't have to wait around for comedy clubs to start giving you work, you can create your own shows, make friends with comics who put on their own shows, there are so many different outlets nowadays that you can forge your own path.
And if you ever feel like you're getting comfortable on stage, change something about your set. Sit on the stool and tell some jokes, open with your closer and close with your second-best joke instead, etc. Putting yourself in uncomfortable positions can bring out the best in you, and is a great way of learning how to be better in different environments
Josh Means
Learn how to bomb a single joke without it taking your whole set down. Just acknowledge the joke bombed in a way that's funny and shows you're okay with it, and let it strengthen your connection to the audience rather than weaken it. You can cross it off your list, promise not to do it again, claim you bout it off that $5 website, whatever, just make sure you don't let it plunge you into a flop.
Also, quit worrying about being hack. You can be the most shockingly original comic since Emo Phillips later, for now, go ahead an be a hack. You're learning to stand on stage, handle a mic, project your voice, time a joke. Get all that down, and then you can work on making sure your true, unique voice is coming through all of the time.