IMPROVISATION NEWS Reviews Epione's Secret Subway Show!
Read the review here:
http://improvisationnews.typepad.com/improvisation-news/take-3/
TRAGIC IMPROV LEVEL 1 CLASS
Instructor: Andrew Uhlenhopp
Location: New York City
When: Wednesdays from 7-10PM for 8 sessions + Graduation Show.
Start Date: July 15th
Class Size: 12
Cost: 250$
Location: Ripley Grier (520 8th Ave)
To
sign up, please send an e-mail to tragicimprov.classes@yahoo.com with
the subject "classes." You may also use the "contact us" link on the
website.
call with questions at:
646 496 3420
Andrew Uhlenhopp (pronounced "yoo'-len-hop") joined Tragic Improv's Epione in 2008. He has been
teaching, coaching, directing, writing, and acting for nigh on twenty-five
years. He honed his teaching skills at The Sally Johnson Studio in NYC, and as
a co-founder of the theatre company Walk The Plank he lead improv workshops for
actors of all skill & experience levels. He continues to teach his dog
improvisational techniques every day. Andrew believes that it is important to
relinquish one's own agenda in order to strengthen the dynamic of the whole (as
difficult as that may be), and that nurturing students is far more important
than berating them. He received BA's in Theatre and Philosophy from Knox College.
This class is great for both actors and improvisers. It is an ideal
improv outlet for method actors and dramatic actors. Unlike most
improv, the class doesn't focus on witty exchanges of dialogue.
Instead, it focuses on developing emotional relationships, complex
characters, group mind, stage presence, and realism.
If you're an improviser, you'll learn some new tools.
You'll learn to approach scenes from an emotional place, rather than a
mental one. If you're getting stuck in your head, this class will get
you out of your head. We will also focus on leaving the jokes behind.
Scenes can still have comedy, but it isn't a requirement.
With a small class size of 12, each student will receive individual
attention. Every performer works differently, and the class is designed
to recognize and expand each student's unique abilities.
Student feedback:
"TI is doing something unique and necessary in the improv landscape. Emotions and drama make improv so much more powerful."
"John was great at getting us to dig into ourselves for the real feelings."
"I
especially appreciated John's ability to key in on our personal
strengths and weaknesses- how to be aware of them and how to break
through them."
"I am not an experienced actor, and TI made it very comfortable from the first class to the last."
"John's method of giving notes, his tone of voice, and his words are wonderful. He is critical with supportive ease."
"I think this form is healthy for the actor. Good stuff. Great Class!"
Now Showing in New York City:
Tragic Improv presents
EPIONE
Laugh if you dare!
Directed by John Montague
Saturday, June 20th
Under St. Marks
94 St. Marks Pl. (btw. 1st and A)
L Train to 1st Ave., 6 Train to Astor Pl., F Train to 2nd Ave.
10:30 PM
8$
Call 646 496 3420 For Reservations
Epione is:
Helen Abell
Darnell Holguin
Alexa Kryzaniwsky
Kelly Reeves
Cathy Simpson
Andrew Uhlenhopp
Brendan Wahlers
Chriss Williams
Jason Williams
On June 25th, Epione invaded the V Train!
The Plan: Create believable improvised scenarios on a subway car.
The Goal: Unsuspecting riders will not know they are in the midst of a performance.
The Preparation: For the past month, each member of Epione prepared a character for the performance. While all dialogue and blocking was improvised, characters and costumes were carefully constructed.
The Characters:
Cathy Simpson: Religious Fanatic
Brendan Wahlers: Homeless Guy
Thomas Poarch: Old acquaitance of homeless guy, now a successful business man.
Alexa Kryzaniwsky: Ukrainian Singer
Helen Abell: Shy, wholesome girl
Darnell Holguin: Latino gangster who flirts with shy, wholesome girl.
Chriss Williams: Crazy Domineering Wife
Gil Browdy: Wimpy Cowering Husband of crazy wife
The Audience:
In addition to the unsuspecting riders, we invited about 15 audience members to ride and watch. They were instructed to behave like average subway riders.
The Outcome: Total Success!
"So from my experience, it was really interesting playing with
sterotypes and watching how people would react to us. Darnell and I
started getting into character in the holding car and were playing
around with our characters; one guy couldn't stop watching us and
wasn't sure what was going on. Then Darnell walked over to the map to
look at it and the woman that was sitting there grabbed her purse,
pulled it in close to her and pulled her jacket closed. The real
kicker was when we were in the performance car. One guy was annoyed by
us and moved away. Several people clapped after we kissed. And another
person got off the train when we did and told us that he was
monitoring my body language and if I looked at all threatened, he was
going to jump on Darnell. Oh yeah, that guy was a real Women's Self
Defense Coach. Also, apparently when i left the car, some of the
passengers were telling Darnell that i just moved cars and that he
should chase after me. It was a blast"
Helen Abell
"I thought the scene with Helen & Darnell was really authentic, and
the way Darnell responded was great. There was a lot of energy there.
Also Thomas' scene with Brendan was very compelling."
Audience Member
"In the beginning I was focused on the actors, but as I immersed myself in the experience, I became more interested in the raw reactions of the passersby. It was a rad experience, fucking awesome!"
Audience Member
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