Yup - I'm determined to get my posts in on a regular basis. Even if they essentially say nothing.
Sorry folks! Better luck next week...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
PHIF 2008 and the growth of improv in Philly
So this weekend is the Philadelphia Improv Festival, which isn't in anyway officially associated with the theater. I know, it's strange, but the festival took shape before the theater did - in fact the creation of PHIT was announced at PHIF 2005 - and they've remained more or less seperate since that time.
But this year's festival - wow. Get out and see that stuff. There are a lot of returning favorites (both locally and from past festivals) and there has been a ton of press.
The press is probably what I am happiest about. It's always nice to see improv getting its due, and the festival has been helping with that in a million ways by ending up in every published news-y, Philadelphia-y piece of paper I can find the last two weeks. The scene here in town is really getting its due from the improv side of things. And whether or not PHIT is involved that means more people are going to know about and try to see improv, which is ultimately good for PHIT and good for everyone else too!
Before I go, a couple of PHIF 2008 recommendations: Tybrus, Dr. Fantastic, Rare Bird Show. If you've only got time for 3 shows... those is the ones.
But this year's festival - wow. Get out and see that stuff. There are a lot of returning favorites (both locally and from past festivals) and there has been a ton of press.
The press is probably what I am happiest about. It's always nice to see improv getting its due, and the festival has been helping with that in a million ways by ending up in every published news-y, Philadelphia-y piece of paper I can find the last two weeks. The scene here in town is really getting its due from the improv side of things. And whether or not PHIT is involved that means more people are going to know about and try to see improv, which is ultimately good for PHIT and good for everyone else too!
Before I go, a couple of PHIF 2008 recommendations: Tybrus, Dr. Fantastic, Rare Bird Show. If you've only got time for 3 shows... those is the ones.
Friday, November 7, 2008
The first improv literate President?
Let's talk about a reason the election of Barack Obama is historic for a very small community of people: improvisers.
Did you know that Obama has held fundraisers at The Second City in the past? I'm guessing he saw a show as well when he was there. This is exciting. People pay a lot of attention to the President, what he likes and dislikes, what he says. If Obama mentions improv, even more or less in passing, a lot of people will hear about it (whether they're watching CNN or reading a newspaper article about him visiting his hometown and catching a show). It's exciting to think that in some small way, improv may get a shoutout during the next 4 or 8 years from the leader of the free world.
Am I crazy? Do people agree with me?
Did you know that Obama has held fundraisers at The Second City in the past? I'm guessing he saw a show as well when he was there. This is exciting. People pay a lot of attention to the President, what he likes and dislikes, what he says. If Obama mentions improv, even more or less in passing, a lot of people will hear about it (whether they're watching CNN or reading a newspaper article about him visiting his hometown and catching a show). It's exciting to think that in some small way, improv may get a shoutout during the next 4 or 8 years from the leader of the free world.
Am I crazy? Do people agree with me?
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