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Hey Guys!
So this is the show I’ve been working on and it’s our first episode. It was written by using improv and character study. I really hope you like it and would love to hear what you think!
P.S Pass it on! 
Filed by lauren at March 2nd, 2010
Tags: BBQ, bobsled, comedy, dads, funny, improv
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Written by KYLIE ROBERTSON
Posted on www.calgaryjournalonline.ca
Armadillo Armadillos work to gain a following in the city
Making out. Reconstructive surgery. Ikea. Mathematics. Euthanasia. Youth in Asia. What do all of these things have in common?
When the Armadillo Armadillos are handed these topics, they can weave all these ideas and more into a hilarious narrative using improvised comedy.
The Calgary-based improv troupe is carving itself a niche in the comedy scene.
Owen Chan (left) and Colin Lau (right) share a tender moment during a skit. Photo: Kylie Robertson/Calgary Journal
The Armadillos perform an improvised comedy show every Saturday night at 8 p.m., in the Evergreen Theatre at the Currie Barracks. “There’s a lot of underground improv in Calgary,” said Shawn Hoult, who has been part of the Armadillos since they became a group in September of 2008.
Hoult and Owen Chan, the creative director of the group, both said that improv comedy is a big scene in Calgary, and a great way for people to change and enhance their everyday lives – both as actors and audience members.
“Improv changed my life,” Chan said. “I’m a high school teacher, and I would’ve burnt out if it weren’t for this. It makes me cope with change better, makes me able to deal with different situations.”
Chan teaches drama at Lord Beaverbrook High School.
Chan also said that some may be intimidated by improv, “because if you’re doing it right, it won’t look like it’s made up.”
“(Or) you can cross the line,” he added. “You can say something that’s politically incorrect.”
“Or just too weird, and no one can follow it,” added Hoult, laughing.
“It rewards multiple watchings,” Chan said. “The more you watch it, the more you understand how it works…you see one show and you’re like, ‘Okay that was fun,’ and by the time you see a second and third show, you’re starting to see a pattern of things, and the rules you’re working with. I think for intelligent people everywhere, it’s a really interesting way to see spontaneous art.”
But improvised comedy is not without its difficulties. Chan and Hoult both find that the hardest part of improv is agreeing on what’s happening.
“We have so many people with so many ideas,” Chan said.
“You have to decide in the first few seconds what’s happening, without talking about it,” Hoult added.
The Armadillos don’t have a large following, but hope to break that pattern soon.
“The real trick I think is consistency and for us to be here doing it every single week and getting the word out,” Chan said.
The troupe works on a “pay what you can” system for their shows, so money is tight.
“We don’t make enough money to do this,” Hoult said. “We’re barely covering our costs.”
“We haven’t started this too long ago, so it’s kind of been just our friends (at shows),” he continued. “We’ve kind of worn out their welcome,” he said laughing, speaking about the crowds at their shows. “So now we’re trying to bring in other people.”
A popular device in improv is to use the surroundings to add to the story. Chairs often become car seats, as Kristen Anderson, Mike Watson and Owen Chan (bottom) demonstrate above. Photo: Kylie Robertson/Calgary Journal
“This is the first time I’ve been to a live improv,” said Andre Nehman, who attended his first improv show Saturday, Jan 23. “So far, it’s really good. It’s interesting to (see them) on stage and try to come up with something new and funny,” Nehman said. “This is a lot better than I thought it would be,” said Courtney Amery, another first-time improv audience member. “I’ll definitely come back to watch, but not to perform.”
For those interested in performing, the Armadillos do teach a class on improvised comedy. They run for eight weeks at a time, with one class each week. For more information on classes or shows, check out their website at www.kinkonauts.com.
“(The show) opens you up to a lot of things that are available here,” Amery added.
Filed by owen at February 8th, 2010
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I used to think that managing was like Improv. After reading Henry Mintzberg’s new book “Managing” I’m convinced that managing is improv. The conventional wisdom about managing is that there is a strong component of planning, controlling and thinking. This has not been borne out by our experiences or the data. (It’s a useful myth to sell MBA seats though–yes, you do need all these fancy analytical tools to become a manager.)
However, as Mintzberg says, “study after study has shown that a, managers work at an unrelenting pace; b, their activities are typically characterized by brevity, variety, fragmentation and discontinuity; and c, they are strongly oriented to action.” This sounds like an improv show to me. Considering all the prep and training we do for shows it may turn out that improvisers are more planful and in control than the average manager
What are the most useful lessons for managers from improv then? Here’s my prescription for each of the three points above:
a. Unrelenting pace: Managers like improvisers actually thrive on this. Both groups avoid boring actvities. So don’t worry about the pace, enjoy it. While you are in it remember to paying attention and listening to your scene partner.
b. Brevity, variety, fragmentation and discontinuity: Improvisors are brilliant at switching scenes, characters and emotions. Like improvisors, a manager will play several different characters in a day; boss, coach, colleague, subordinate, vendor, client etc. Saying, “Yes, and…” to the scene changes of your day will reduce your stress and keep you moving.
c. Action orientation. We are always teaching improvisers to “make something happen in a scene”. There are great lessons about, “Yes, and…” heightening and an appreciation for mistakes. If you want to move fast you have to give up perfection.
Filed by jason at January 18th, 2010
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This is an improv blog, but this particular post isn’t about improv it’s about life, and life is used in improv so deal!
Okay, so today I unknowingly put on an invisibility cloak and walked around all see through-ee all day.
My boyfriends car was having tire issues and kept leaking air, but luckily those tire issues were covered under warranty at Costco. So we went on down to the Costco tire centre to have it looked at and fixed. We get there and there is one man ahead of us paying for his serviced tire and only one tire tech to be seen. So naturally we waited patiently as the dude finished up his bizznazz and the tire tech went into the “off limits” shop area to get the keys . As we were waiting, this other guy (whom I’ll name Richard as he CLEARLY looked like a DICK)and his little meek looking wife come up to the counter and looked around, stopping to make eye contact with both me and my boyfriend. We all just waited around with a common goal, and anticipated outcome. Or so we thought!
Richard started getting antsy as time passed, but he tried hard to look cool and calm in his relaxed fit eddie bauer jeans. His jaw started clenching, revealing those weird little muscle lines that are reserved for people who chew lots of gum and male soap stars. He paced back and forth in his brown rockport loafers. Karen(I’ve name his meek looking wife, Karen) couldn’t take it(“it” being her husbands intensity) and left into the main Costco area. So it was just me, my boyfriend Aaron, and Richard. Then a different tire tech came out to survey the waiting room, he had obviously just finished eating lunch as he still was kind of chewing. I’m going to go with left overs from the night before. Stir-fry maybe?
That’s when Richard did the unthinkable. The first thing you learn in school when waiting for a drink at the water fountain, or a stick in gym for floor hockey, or a cookie on cookie fridays. He budded in line. Richard was a “Budger”!! He just started firing questions to the tire tech, not even waiting for an answer, let alone giving Aaron or I the chance to say “Uh…Excuse me?!” He stood there saying things like “My 2008 Volvo this… My 2008 Volvo that…” and “How long? How much? Is it you or that guy(pointing through the tiny service window at another tech) who’s going to do it?”
Aaron and I looked at each other, both of us wanting to say something, but we just couldn’t. Richard stood up there talking for like 10 minutes straight. He’d ask the most ridiculous questions too.
Example: Richard : So you only carry Micheline?
Tire tech: Yes sir, that’s our sponsored store brand.
Richard: Hmmm…. Okay… That’s all you carry?
Tire Tech: Yes.
Richard: (Beat) So no Good Year?
Tire Tech: No.
Richard: Okay let’s go with the Micheline.
Way to be an active consumer, Richard!
Waste of time. I think Richard started to feel mine and Aaron’s eyes burning into the back of his head because he started scratching his neck and mime chewing gum. Karen came back with contact solution and a box of energy bars. “Thanks babe.” Richard said. Karen was not a babe.
I started to fantasize about getting back at Richard for budding. I knew he drove a 2008 Volvo? No, vandalism is too illegal for my tastes. Maybe I could spill something on his obviously new North Face puffy vest? No that’s a nice vest…I know! I could get up and stand beside him, REALLY close, like all up in his personal space and say nothing until he does and then say “OH! You CAN see me?! See I thought I was invisible, because you totally just BUDDED us!!…“ Yeah! That’ll teach him! I’ll sarcasm the SHIT outta Richard! Haha it’ll be so good!!!
Yeah no, I’m a nerd. I did nothing. I waited patiently and politely until he left, and then we went up to the counter and presented the symptoms of Aaron’s Ford Windstar’s right front tire, like nothing had happened. We both left talking about what a jerk Richard was, but we both knew that nothing could or would be done about it. Boo.
P.S – On a side note, we were there to pick up our van the same time Richard and Karen were there to get their 2008 Volvo. When it came time to pay, Richard did the old “Oh, jeez Hun, I think I forgot my wallet??” bit as he padded himself down on all his pockets. Karen paid. Richard is a Dick.
Filed by lauren at January 5th, 2010
Tags: budgers, costco chronicles, improv is life, stupid people
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