Welcome Spring 2017! 

Unexpected Productions is excited to welcome all of our new 100 level Improv Students, as well as welcoming back our returning upper level improvisors!  

We are happy to again present our weekly Student Community Newsletter!  This will be emailed weekly while school is in session, and periodically between quarters as well. Please let us know if there is anything specific that you would like to see in this newsletter. 

WHY WOULD WE DO THIS? 

Are we insane?... maybe a little! Unexpected Productions' Market Theater experienced some major renovations and need to raise some cash to help foot the bill. We were renovated for sound proofing in the theater, have a new lighting system, but we still need to finish the final renovations of the bathroom, upgrade our sound system and update the lobby.

Student passes can be used during the Improvathon from midnight to 5pm on both days (except for 600 Students, who may use their pass for the entire Improvathon). 

300 and higher students: Are you interested in performing in the Improvathon? Please email

  [email protected]

with your availability. 

15 Ways To Be A Better Improv Student

As written by 

Christy L. Bonstell,  Second City-Chicago

These are not rules. They're really just observances and thoughts I've cobbled together over the last 15 years, as both a student and a teacher. This is just one person's opinion. Take what you need and leave the rest.

There is no better day than your first day of improv class, and I envy you on this journey.

It may seem pretentious. You might not want them now. But five years from now, you may want to start teaching. And you will wish you had those notes.

If I give you a note, I do it out of love and support and because I want you to grow. That's the pact you and I make as teacher and student. I don't think there is a teacher out there that gives notes to be mean. Or to waste class time. Or to hear themselves talk. So please, if you are given a note, do me a favor. Sit on it for 24 hours before you judge it. Feel it out first. Try it on. And if you still think we need to talk about it, let me know. And we will.

This is a physical art. You share a small space with many other people in class. Most classrooms have terrible temperature control. So shower. Because while we are building a beautiful stage picture, my head may need to be near your crotch. Don't make me regret that.

This is pretty easy to do. Just don't give your fellow actors notes; even cryptically (you're not as clever as you think). And keep your hands to yourself.

The most common complaint about a lot of teachers is that they don't give enough personal notes. For some, that may be true. But, I ask you this: were you really doing anything in class that warranted a note? Are you free of the fear of failing? After all, this is a class- not a show. It's an art form where mistakes are celebrated. My guess is that if you're not getting enough personal notes, you're playing it safe.  Try shaking it up.

This isn't a suggestion. This is one of the most important things (outside of class and independant play) that you can do for yourself. See good shows and bad shows, old players and new players, themed shows and bar-prov. See it all. What you will learn is immeasurable and something no teacher can teach you.

I know some people might argue with me on this point, and that's okay. This is just my opinion. Each theater has its own unique and wonderful form of improv theology, and they do not always mesh. In the end, they do, because you take all of it and synthesize it into your own style of play. But at the beginning, it will only confuse you- and perhaps more importantly, you're cheating yourself. You only get the experience of being a student at each theater for a short time. Life is very long. Take your time. Enjoy.

Seriously. Don't risk getting everyone else sick. A lot of folks  have jobs that depend on them being there to make money to pay rent. Just rest up and make the class up.

Make sure before you come to class that you're not too emotionally raw. Sometimes  a bad break-up means you should sit the next term out. Sometimes it can heal your heart to push forward. Only you can decide. But since teachers can't outlaw certain topics in the classroom (while we can talk about them with sensitivity), you have to be prepared for whatever may come flying out of someone's mouth.

It's  your cash. It's your time. Get up there. Don't make your teacher prod you. That stage is where you will fall down. And where you will get up. And where you will fly. Don't leave it empty. Ever.

Have fun. Go see shows together. Plan potlucks. It's all good. Just be careful not to shun someone who doesn't join in. They may have something else going on that doesn't allow them to participate. That doesn't mean they don't want to help you be a great, connected team. They do. Be nice.

Go out. Get your heart broken. Have a crappy job. Eat good food. Read  good books. All of this is fuel for improv fire. It's very easy to get sucked into a life where improv is your everything, and that life is pretty great. But live a real life. Having outside interests will only make you a  more interesting player. Some of my favorite students have been over 40, cancer-fighting scientists and ex-military. Their point of view was unique, and that made their scenework a little extra shiny.

This one is last because I think it's the most important. It's funny that the thing we all strive for in scenework eludes us so often in our artistic careers. But, if you can, just be in class. For that class only. Try not to think about getting better only for the sake of getting on a team or making TourCo. Those are both admirable goals- and lord knows I wanted both (not that I got them; and that's okay, too). Truly, the things you will love, the things you will hold onto for dear life-you don't even know what those things are yet. So for now, don't rob yourself of the experience of just being a student. Of playing freely. Of failing largely. Of have successes that no one of any importance saw... but that changed you for the better.

Christy L. Bonstell is a writer and performer for Second City Communications and The Second City Network, a sometime-journalist and all-time crankster. You can learn more about her at www.ChristyBonstell.com.  

 

To keep up on all the latest Improv School happenings, please be sure to join our exclusive Unexpected Productions Improv School Facebook Page. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/UPIMPROVSCHOOL/

Thank you for being such an important part of our community! 

Unexpected Productions Improv School | (206) 762-2239 | s[email protected]