Comments on: Sharks and the Jets–Improv…is it Theatre? http://www.mirroruptonature.com/journal/acting-journal/sharks-and-the-jets-improvis-it-theatre/ Treadin' the boards. Talkin' the craft. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:59:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Tee Quillin http://www.mirroruptonature.com/journal/acting-journal/sharks-and-the-jets-improvis-it-theatre/#comment-19 Tee Quillin Mon, 13 Feb 2006 00:10:00 +0000 http://www.mirroruptonature.com/2006/02/09/sharks-and-the-jets-improvis-it-theatre/#comment-19 I have to agree with Daniel. Trying to get student actors to learn to use improvisation as a tool rather than just a means to show off their own sense of humor drives me nearly insane. For that reason, I'm always hesitant to use it in a beginning acting class. This is why I'm so glad that the "Guffman Trilogy" of movies has gotten a wider following than just "theatre types". Even though those movies are primarily comedies, the performers in the movies strive for the realistic feel in their performances and therefore the self-indulgent feel isn't there. Improv has gotten a bad rap for the past several years and, unfortunately, is becoming a "lost art." I have to agree with Daniel. Trying to get student actors to learn to use improvisation as a tool rather than just a means to show off their own sense of humor drives me nearly insane. For that reason, I’m always hesitant to use it in a beginning acting class.

This is why I’m so glad that the “Guffman Trilogy” of movies has gotten a wider following than just “theatre types”. Even though those movies are primarily comedies, the performers in the movies strive for the realistic feel in their performances and therefore the self-indulgent feel isn’t there.

Improv has gotten a bad rap for the past several years and, unfortunately, is becoming a “lost art.”

]]> By: Daniel Hoffmann-Gill http://www.mirroruptonature.com/journal/acting-journal/sharks-and-the-jets-improvis-it-theatre/#comment-18 Daniel Hoffmann-Gill Sat, 11 Feb 2006 22:41:02 +0000 http://www.mirroruptonature.com/2006/02/09/sharks-and-the-jets-improvis-it-theatre/#comment-18 I'll say this: improv has a move towards comedy and that's why people dismiss it. If its practitioners utilised as a tool for excellent emotional riffing rather than cheap laughs it might get more respect. Also, it always feels like going to see a drama game rather, ie: self-indulgent. I’ll say this: improv has a move towards comedy and that’s why people dismiss it. If its practitioners utilised as a tool for excellent emotional riffing rather than cheap laughs it might get more respect.

Also, it always feels like going to see a drama game rather, ie: self-indulgent.

]]>