Theatre, a risk....who knew!

Hello, readers! This week, we here at Improv Playhouse would like to welcome our new intern, Jordan! Check out his first blog post.

Every day I wake up and I have a different thought. Yesterday I thought about what I was going to eat, today about not finishing my homework, and tomorrow it will most likely be about not wanting to get up! Now I am sure that whoever is taking the time to read this is saying, “Well, hey! I’ve had the same thoughts!” And I would have to say, “I’m sure you have.” This is what makes us so unique as the people we’ve become and the people we want to become: aspiring theatre geeks.

Today, Joe Schmo, who lives next door to you, woke up and said, “I’m going to put on my tie, drive to work, take two aspirins, go to lunch, kiss up to the boss, leave at five, come home, eat, watch Law & Order: SVU, then go to bed.” Now this is a daily routine for Joe and his life never changes. That is why Joe makes five figures a year and we only make four. Now don’t get discouraged. That is just how theatre is, a risk; and now let’s divide even theater from improv.

Improv Playhouse prides itself on who they are in the world today with astonishing actors and many years of experience. But what really sets IP apart from the rest of the world? I’d have to say improvisation. Improv builds the best fundamentals for an actor while remaining the most unstructured form of art out there. Structure is something a theatre person has probably never heard of, but it can be good when it comes to keeping organized (and don’t forget obeying the laws). Without structure, you’re actually preparing yourself for any situation life can throw at you. Every day people lose their job, people divorce, cars gets towed, or you are broke and won’t get paid for another two weeks!

The ironic thing about it all is that everything is a risk. Daring to be different is a risk, as director Lloyd Richards once said. “Some risks cost more than others, and I guess those are the ones that you recognize as risks. But all of life is a risk. You try and achieve whatever you as an individual human being can achieve. To make that attempt is a risk. I guess I never decided to take risks with my life, I just had no choice. You take risks, whether they be small ones or whether they be large ones.” So, as I wrap up my first blog entry ever, I hope I have left you with a little something to think about: Life is a risk. Many people don’t ever want to touch on the subject of theatre being a risk, but inevitably you will risk it all in the end. And if you really want to pursue your dream, don’t stop. I am learning now to never give up because "All the world's a stage; all the men and women are merely players."

-Jordan

Movie Night!

I believe that one of the best things a student actor can do to educate themselves about the theatre is to go to see professional plays and musicals. Some of my favorite family memories include trips to the theatre with my parents and younger brother, an athletic type who ended up enjoying musicals like Wicked and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. That being said, a trip to the theatre is often expensive, and may require a time-consuming trip to the city. With that in mind, I have created a list of fun movies based on stage musicals that young actors and their families may enjoy watching and even learn something from.

1. Fiddler on the Roof has won a slew of awards both onscreen and onstage. It is the perfect balance of humor and drama. Topol’s iconic performance as Tevye, a Jewish peasant living in Russia just before the turn of the century is incredibly touching, and his struggle to keep his family together is one we can all relate to. Popular songs from this musical include “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Tradition,” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.” I recommend it for ages ten and up.
2. West Side Story is the gold standard of movie musicals. Catchy numbers like “Jet Song,” America,” and “Cool” will get stuck in your head for days! Young dancers will be impressed by all the amazing choreography, and although this gangland America story is an adaption of “Romeo and Juliet,” the story is often funny and exciting. I recommend it for ages twelve and up.
3. Bugsy Malone is a little-known movie musical that, while American, is actually very popular across the pond and was adapted for a stage performance on the West End in London. Child actors, including young Jodie Foster and Scott Baio, play 1930s gangers and showgirls embroiled in a fight between two rival gangsters—a food fight, that is! This is a great family movie that kids will love and parents will find amusing. I recommend it for ages six and up.
4. The Phantom of the Opera is one of the most popular Broadway musicals of all time. The story of opera ingénue Christine and the mysterious man who teaches her sing has everything a show needs: passion, intrigue, humor, and romance. Many of the songs have attained status as absolute musical theatre classics…you may find yourself humming along to “Think of Me,” “Angel of Music,” “All I Ask of You,” and, of course, the unforgettable Phantom theme. Since this movie contains some scary moments, I recommend it for ages twelve and up, and a parent or guardian may want to watch this movie with their young actor.
5. CATS holds the record for longest-running musical. The great thing about this movie is that is simply a taping of the live stage show…you will truly feel like you are in the theater when you watch it! A combination of beautiful dance and incredible acrobatics bring songs like “Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats,” “The Rum Tum Tugger,” and “Memory” to life. While this movie is appropriate for all ages, younger viewers may be frightened by the actors’ cat makeup, so I recommend that parents assess their child’s comfort level before showing the film.
6. High school age actors may want to check out the following musical movies, but as they contain more adult-oriented material, I recommend that parents screen them first to make sure they are age-appropriate: Chicago, Company, Hair, Rent, and Sweeney Todd. All five are excellent films with amazing performances, and musical theatre actors may find some new tunes that suit their voices for auditions.

Thanks to popular movies like the High School Musical franchise and the television show GLEE, movie musicals are having a major comeback! Upcoming Hollywood musical movies include adaptions of Wicked, In the Heights, and Spring Awakening. Who knows, maybe your favorite play will be next!

Guest blogger Shannon Campe is imProv Playhouse’s Resident Dramaturge. She has worked as both a teacher and an actress during her ten years at iP, where credits include The Glass Menagerie (Amanda), Blithe Spirit (Elvira), and Alice in Wonderland (Alice.) She is currently studying Theatre and Creative Writing at Butler University in Indianapolis.

Production Tips: Costuming Magic

Most Improv Playhouse shows don’t employ a costume designer, which means that directors, student actors, and parents have to work together to make costumes for the shows. The results can only be described as incredible! Below you will find a list of some of my favorite shows, both from the show I’ve had the honor of costuming (Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Grease, and High School Musical) and the ones I’ve seen and participated in. Read on, and you may just find the inspiration for you next Halloween costume!

1. Alice in Wonderland: The Caterpillar. The actress playing the caterpillar wore a giant green sleeping bag! The effect was remarkable.
2. Into the Woods: Chippy. The little girl playing the mouse wore an oversized sweatshirt with the hood up. I attached giant mouse ears and long tail to the hoodie…she looked too cute!
3. The Dwarves Beards: The Dwarves. iP teacher extraordinaire Lindsay Fussell created bears with faux fur elastic and Velcro that could be “cut” and “regrown” onstage. They made telling the hilarious story possible!
4. Rumplestiltskin: The King. Have you ever seen a king in footie pajamas? I have, thanks to a young actor’s great idea for a hilarious surprise entrance.
5. Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Objects. With just some cardboard, fabric, and paint, my co-workers Alex Buda, Lindsay Fussell, and I created costumes for Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, and Madame de la Grande Bouche. Our fantastic young actors even managed to dance in the enormous cardboard creations…now that’s talent!
6. Beauty and the Beast: Gaston. We created muscles for our young Gaston by stuffing old pantyhose with cotton batting and putting them up his sleeves. He looked very manly!
7. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Violet Beauregard. A giant, blue, blow-up suit was procured. Need I say more?

Guest blogger Shannon Campe is imProv Playhouse’s Resident Dramaturge. She has worked as both a teacher and an actress during her ten years at iP, where credits include The Glass Menagerie (Amanda), Blithe Spirit (Elvira), and Alice in Wonderland (Alice.) She is currently studying Theatre and Creative Writing at Butler University in Indianapolis.

You Know You're an Improv Playhouse Student When...

1) A room with all-black walls, ceiling, and floor isn’t depressing…it’s exciting!
2) It seems perfectly natural for a monkey to be wearing a beret and carrying a megaphone.
3) Most of your friends have confessed their deep, abiding love for—in a game of Honey I Love You, of course.
4) No stage is too small for a great performance.
5) It’s never too early to buy candy during a rehearsal—“It will give me energy for my
performance!”
6) You’ve played animals, magical creatures, people of the opposite gender…and you’ve loved
every minute of it!
7) You find yourself saying “You made friendship bracelets at your summer camp? Oh, that's cool. At my summer camp, we made art.”

Guest blogger Shannon Campe is Improv Playhouse’s Resident Dramaturge. She has worked as both a teacher and an actress during her ten years at Improv Playhouse, where credits include The Glass Menagerie (Amanda), Blithe Spirit (Elvira), and Alice in Wonderland (Alice.) She is currently studying Theatre and Creative Writing at Butler University in Indianapolis.