I was wrong and I'm sorry...

So this past Friday March 20, 2009 was Improvisational Open Mic Night. Once again it was a packed house and we were split between regular open mic goers and some new faces in the crowd; which is always fun. I have been overworked here at The DC Improv so what that meant was I did not have time to come up with an opener. I felt after over 2 years running shows it was okay to not have something up front. Well, I was wrong and I am sorry. I guess embarrassing myself up front makes for a way better start to the show. To start, I had everyone scream to get warmed up. After that I decided to try something new. I had a list of the dumbest celebrity quotes and felt we can use those lines to create a scene. I thought there were multiple ways to approach this. You can make the scene about the person who said it, you can take the concept of the words, you can use the words verbatim...in my head I thought it would be a neat little experiment (again, in my head). I called up 10 improvisers and split them into two lines. My intention was that the lines themselves should get a laugh and that would be a fun way to start the show. Well, I was wrong again...and I am sorry. There were a few chuckles along the way but we definitely struggled to get the momentum going (my fault completely). We made it through the game and then I ventured into another short form game that I thought would be safe. The dating game. Once again, I was wrong and I'm sorry. Apparently, I am not the best at explaining the structure of the game and thought all the actors already knew how to play. It went dirty real fast and I did my best to pull out of it (no pun intended). We managed to make it through that game with some laughs. After that rocky start the night kept going uphill. Several times in the evening I apologized for not having an opening when things got "awkward". As a crowd we learned what Purim really is that night...I am not a good spokesperson for the Jews (sorry Mom). We played Ally Says along with some other usual short form games. I did try another new one called Before or After which I think was okay and I may bring back again at some point in the future. Four groups entered: The Unmentionables, Loser Josh, Gio with his one man improvised story and Stephanie and Matt did a 2 person act. Of course we ended with Lines From a Hat. In the end, it seemed like everyone had a good time despite the rough beginning. So thanks to the regulars and the newbies who came out last Friday. The next one is scheduled for Friday April 17. Sign-up from 7-7:30 and the show will begin at 8:05 pm. I'll have an opening...I promise.

I'm a 90 because I like it firm...

I know I am a bit behind in writing about the last open mic night so I am sorry but I promise to make this a good entry, or at least an entry. So Improvisational Open Mic Night was hosted on Friday February 13 in the DC Improv Comedy Lounge. I have discovered a new formula: Friday nights plus free shows equals a huge crowd. Once again there was standing room only in the back and the place was packed. I decided to open with a video that I felt that for some it would be romantic and for others it would be frightening (that was my tie in for Valentine's Day and Friday the 13th). This was a mock commercial for the sleep number bed in which the concept was that I sleep around and no matter who's in my bed they will always be comfortable (Check out Facebook it's on there). Special thanks to Chris, Chris, Chris, Kristen, Joe and the giant gorilla for their outstanding work in the video short. After I felt the crowd was warmed up, we moved along with some short form games featuring the single improvers. I had about 40 people on the list wanting to perform and did my best to get everyone some stage time. I've said this in the past, the hardest thing to do is host and actually produce a show at the same time. But I really do enjoy giving people the opportunity to get up and perform and it is a blast to see how well people gel on stage whether they know eachother or not through the art of comedy. I also came up with some new concepts to try including a game in which I started 2 person scenes and gave them a line of dialogue from a romantic or scary movie to start the scene with (look at me with the themes). In the end, I thought this was a successful game. However, I also bombed with the game "No P". It starts with 2 person scenes and you can't use the letter P in any of your dialogue, if you do the audience is supposed to scream "DIE" (which I thought was weird) and then the next person steps up to play. This game did indeed DIE and will not be played again. Oh well they can't all be winners...at least you know you get your money's worth at Improv Open Mic. We also did my signature game "Ally Says" along with some other short form favorites. 6 Troupes entered to showcase throughout the night: Jimmis Maximus, The Unmentionables, Troubled Assets, Leonard Nimoy, Last Minute Dudes and Matthews Mother. Each group got 6 minutes to perform. The show ran a little over 2 hours and I think everyone had a good time. I had some decent one liners throughout the night and I also had a couple of jokes that bombed completely. I did participate in the last game "Lines from a Hat" and realized that I am not good at Improv and playing a character, so I will probably not do that again. Anyway, we have another event on the books so mark your calendars:
Friday March 20 in The DC Improv Comedy Lounge.
Sign-up is from 7-7:30 pm and the show will begin at 8:05 pm.

Don't forget to become a fan of DC Improvisational Open Mic Night on Facebook!!

Casting Call for Improv Actors

For those who may be interested I have received information on a Casting Call. Please see below. I do not have any more information on this so if you have questions or concerns please contact the people in the below message.Thanks!Allyson TV PILOT – “THE GYM” on DV (22 minutes)HelloErika Grace Allen (creator, executive producer, assistant director, and co-developer), Ishu Krishna (director, executive producer) , Ryan Parr (co-developer) and Tom Suess (co-developer) are casting for, and forming a production team to create, a sitcom pilot for entry in competitions such as The New York Television Festival www.nytvf.com and to pitch to television networks. Using an unusual format to write and develop the show, they want improvisers to “own” the characters that have been created and “write” dialogue via in-character group interaction. Those improvisers selected will be given writer credit as well as actor credit on the media and documents produced (pilot, script, treatment, etc.) and registered with the Screenwriters Guild and copy right authorities and will be included in the “package” pitch to networks. This is a non-union, 100% purely volunteer project, although you’ll be fed during shoot days. However, once the improv actors/writers are cast and the technical crew is selected, we will then form the official production company (made up of all cast and crew) and future compensation will be discussed and agreed upon by all production company members in conjunction with pilot production.

Cast (improviser/writer) Information
Applications (resumes, photos, etc.) are due by February 21, 2009, 7pm. Interested parties should submit resume (or work you’ve done) and a headshot (or a picture) via email to:erikagraceallen@yahoo.comishukrishna@gmail.comparrryan@gmail.com

Auditions to be held by appointment only, Saturday, February 28, 2009 from 10-4pm, location in Arlington, VA/TBD

Writing/improv session to be held Sunday, March 1, 2009 9am-6pm, location in Arlington, VA TBD

O say can you sing Billy Joel...

We were packed last night so I was worried for nothing. In fact we had to turn away about 10 people who wanted to get in to the show (others were seated on the floor in the lounge). I would estimate there were between 70-75 people in that room. I started off with a group mad lib to help people get warmed up and in the spirit of giving me suggestions. Since this was a very historic week I chose to turn Obama's Inaugural Address into Mad Lib madness. It worked and we all screamed a few times to kick start the night. I had at least 40 people to get on stage and 6 groups who entered to perform; The Vagabonds, The Tapwaters, Loser Josh, Guns and Roses, Matthews Mom and Giovanni. I still struggle with getting everyone stage time and keeping the show moving; it's hard to host and plot out a show at the same time but hey it's Improv and it's a free show so whatever works works.. We played some signature short form games and a couple of rounds of Ally Says... (which may not be the best game but it allows me to get a lot of people stage time). I had some pretty good one liners throughout the night; including when Loser Josh were called up and had been together for 2 years, I said they've been together longer than my marriage. BOO YA...I thought it was funny. We also did Style Slide and I gave the audience 10 seconds to yell out something I didn't have on my list of styles and we were blessed with the suggestion of Billy Joel Concert. But to my surprise the actors on stage did not know a Billy Joel song so i stopped the scene and cued the audience and everyone sang in unison Piano Man. This was a call back a couple of times throughout the night. All in all it was a blast and I think the show was a success and since it was Friday we were able to run it a little longer (about 2 1/2 hours). We ended with the signature game Lines from a Hat and also sang Happy Birthday to Chris. The next one is scheduled for Friday, February 13. Sign-up is from 7-7:30 pm and the show will start at 8:05 pm. Please come in early if you want to get seats to the show and sign-up to play.
See you in February!

DATE CHANGE FOR IMPROVISATIONAL OPEN MIC NIGHT!!

The next Improv Open Mic Night will be on Friday January 23 at 8 pm instead of Thursday Jan 22. Please make note of the new date. Same rules apply. 7-730 pm sign-up and 8:05 pm is showtime.

Sorry for the incovenience. Hope you can make it out on Friday night!

Happy 2 Year Anniversary...

On December 1o, 2008 I celebrated my 2 year anniversary with Improv Open Mic Night. Time flies when you are making things up. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate along with me; except the guy who wrote in Lines From a Hat "Happy 2 Year Anniversary Allyson...I want a divorce. Love Open Mic Night". So I started off the show with a couple of hits from the past shows; including a new excerpt from my first boyfriends love letters accompanied by a slide show of his drawings and also his flame pants (yep I had awful taste). After that, I let Ian's Bar Mitzvah video shine one last time to get in the mood for laughing. It was a packed house and I was thrilled to see that Loser Josh (who was there on the first open mic night) came back again. Two other troupes entered to perform; Guns-N-Roses and Zach, Ellie and a bunch of other D-bags. We played some old games including Allyson Says and tried a couple of new games which actually worked out well; Human Props and Time Machine. I did my best to get everyone on stage...we had about 45 people interested in performing. After 2 years I realized it can be complicated when you are hosting and producing a show at the same time. The night was fun; the place was packed and I'm glad I can continue to offer this outlet for the Improv community. So no divorce for you Open Mic Night...see you in January!
Next show: Friday, January 23 2009 in The Comedy Lounge. Sign-up from 7-7:30 pm and the show will begin at 8:05 pm.

Good Directions and Good Ol' Improv...

Yes I know I am week behind updating this blog since the Improv Open Mic Night was on 11/6 but I had to sort out my feelings. Well, not really...I was just being lazy. Anyhoo, last week was another round of fun featuring local improvisers from The DC Improv Comedy School and apparently Dublin (a tourist in town for a couple of days decided to participate in the last game). I started the show off with a video shot by comedian Chris White (www.chriswhitesucks.com) where I play a large role. I admittedly said I was lazy and couldn't come up with a better opener, but it got the job done and the group had a few laughs. I then forgot to put on the stage lights and had the microphone cord fall out...I feared a rough night and was out of it. Once we got into the swing of things, there were no more technical issues and the crowd of about 35 seemed to have fun. In brief, we played a couple of rounds of my own game "Allyson Says.." and I have to say I highly enjoy that. I then decided to try something new and since it was right around the time of the election I decided to try out a debate style game. I had 2 Improv actors (Joe S. since it was his birthday was one and Chris U) and then I asked the audience for a suggestion to be debated. The topic was "is Britney Spears a real blonde". I designated Joe pro her being blonde and Chris was anti-blonde. They had opening statements followed by questions from the Town Hall and then closing arguments. It was entertaining... I think. We had 2 groups enter to showcase their stuff, Guns and Roses and Charred Goosebeak (newcomers to the Open Mic Scene), both did a great job. We then played a few more shortform games in which I have played out the joke of Bolliwood to much and am laying it to rest now (Sorry Jay & Saumya). Of course we ended with the signature game, Lines from A Hat and I encouraged everyone to take part as I always do. Best line of the night in there by far was , "Jaykumar goes to White Castle". Mark your calendars for the 2 year anniversary show on Wednesday Dec, 10 2008. Sign-up is from 7-7:30 pm Showtime is at 8 pm.
Hope to see you there!!