So it’s been entirely too long and I haven’t updated improvoker. This is due to one unfortunate problem, those damn Del Close Marathon notes. See the thing is, I took notes in a dark theater in a little notebook and when I looked again at my notes, well, nothing made any sense. it was all scribbly “numer 4.5 - don’t wear slutty cloths on stag.”

Luckily I recorded the whole press conference on my iPhone, but I haven’t been able to copy the audio files over to listen to the pieces I need to finally post those notes. I feel terrible about this and I apologize profusely and hope we can still go to the sock-hop together.

Come on baby, where you going?

The good news I have not given up and will try, to make sense of what the UCB 3 said on that stage in the dark. Thanks for bearing with me while I flake a little - I’ll try to be better in future.

One of the many words of wisdom I got from Bobby was back in my UCB 401 improv class,  Bobby was subbing for Billy Merritt, and he spoke about this face he does which always gets a laugh. He did the face, which is a magical shrug, and we all laughed. I then decided to create my own face which I could do and always get a laugh. Unfortunately Bobby was unavailable to coach me on the face and had to cobble together my own face from various sources, but at the end of a year — I had a face. It’s not Bobby’s face, by any stretch, but it’s good enough for government work.

All that is totally true.

Bobby is one of the nicest, most supportive, super talented people I have ever met. He’s been a staple at UCB since I started and I’m really sad to see him go, but at least it will give America a chance to see that lovely man’s face. (Oh, and America, I just danced with Bobby the other night and let me tell you, Bobby can dance too.)

Also totally true.

• Upright Citizens Brigade’s Bobby Moynihan to Join Saturday Night Live/SNL
• Hopeful Sinks, Doesn’t Think
• I didn’t blow ‘SNL’ tryout

The biggest news is the reshuffling of 1985 and the remaining members of fwänd into two separate groups - The Law Firm and Amazon Tusk. I think it also bears pointing out that UCB has granted one of our biggest requests of a mostly female group Sensual Ha, which from outward appearances looks pretty incredible. Sensual Ha also features Pat Baer, the longtime tech and dude in charge for keeping things running at the Theater. Returning faces of Eddie Dunn, Nate Lang, Brian Berrebbi, and the incomparable Jeff Hiller are a welcome addition back. Bastian and Decoster are the only two teams unaffected by the reshuffling.

Congratulations to all the new performers making their Harold debuts. We can’t wait to see what they bring to the Harold Night.

Lastly, our condolences to the talented performers who were not added onto the teams this round — you guys rock.

ALIEN MELODY (starter name)

• EMILY AXFORD
• PATRICK CLAIR
• ERIK DIES
• JILL DONNELLY
• BRIAN GLIDEWELL
• MORGAN JARRETT
• WINSTON NOEL
• BEN RAMEAKA

AMAZON TUSK (starter name)

• EDDIE DUNN
• Birch Harms
• Jeff Hiller
• Kevin Hines
• Porter Mason
• Risa Sang-urai
• Betsy Stover
• Erik Tanouye

BASTIAN

• Brian Barrett
• Maggie Carey
• Adam Frucci
• Brandon Gardner
• Lydia Hensler
• Molly Lloyd
• Oscar Magallanes
• John Murray

DECOSTER

• Eric Bernat
• Kirk Damato
• Matt DeCoster
• Ryan Karels
• Pam Murphy
• Megan Neuringer
• DC Pierson
• Ari Voukydis

HUNKY RABIES (starter name)

• BRIAN BERREBBI
• Sean Clements
• Devlyn Corrigan
• Brian Faas
• John Frusciante
• Jon Gutierrez
• Ben Schwartz
• Nate Smith

THE LAW FIRM

• Dominic Dierkes
• Jon Gabrus
• Sue Galloway
• NATE LANG
• Gil Ozeri
• Adam Pally
• Ben Rodgers
• Gavin Speiller

SENSUAL HA (starter name)

• Jenn Bartels
• PAT BAER
• Chelsea Clarke
• Fran Gillespie
• Tricia McAlpin
• Amber Petty
• Craig Rowin
• Mike Still

SIR THERMOS (starter name)

• COREY BROWN
• PAUL DOWNS
• Matt Fisher
• DAN GUREWITCH
• Violet Krumbein
• Aubrey Plaza
• Dave Siegel
• Achilles Stamatelaky

So, it’s been a rough week with UCB Harold auditions consuming most of my attention this week, but I thought I would point out that UCB Theatre New York has announced this years Del Close Marathon on August 8-10. For anyone who’s never attended or knows nothing about the DCM marathon, it’s the 3 day improv festival dedicated to the memory of Del Close and longform improvisation. It happens across multiple theaters in New York, with most of the action happening at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

The event is huge. There are special shows leading up to the marathon by groups like Baby Wants Candy and Weirdass, special intensive improv classes both for resident and visiting improvisers, as well as special ASSSSCATs on the last day of the marathon

by gaelenh

It’s sick.

The only question we have is, when the sign up process end? We are assuming the sign ups are from Wednesday April 16th to Sunday April 20th. This is purely an educated guess, please don’t rely on us. We will let you know if we hear any different.

(Cue Rocky Theme)

If you’re thinking about taking your time to sign up, just to let you know, it’s already been a madhouse at UCB. 50 people waiting on line at 5:30 on Wednesday. After I had signed up at 7, the sign in sheets were 3/4 filled. Get thee to the training center.

From: Anthony
Subject: The UCB Theatre Announces - HAROLD TEAM AUDITIONS
Date: April 10, 2008 5:05:59 PM EDT

 

 

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We will be holding open-call auditions for UCB Theatre Harold Teams.

AUDITIONS will be held on Friday, April 25 from 6pm-12am and Saturday, April 26 from 11am-8pm.

CALLBACKS will be held the evening of Tuesday, April 29.

If you are interested in auditioning to be on a UCB Theatre Harold Team, you must meet the following criteria:

• Auditioners must have completed a UCB Theatre Improv Level 401, 500-level, or 600-level class since January 2007.

Auditions Specifics:

On the day of the audition, people will be seen every 20 minutes in groups of 8.

Auditioners do not need to prepare anything in advance. The audition will be entirely improvised. You will be asked to perform two short scenes.

Please bring a headshot with you. If you don’t have headshots, a recent snapshot will suffice.

PLEASE ARRIVE AT LEAST TEN MINUTES PRIOR TO YOUR SCHEDULED AUDITION TIME. Auditions will be held at the UCB Theater Training Center at 145 W. 30th Street, 4th Floor.

How to Sign-Up for an Audition:

Sign-ups begin at 6pm, Wendesday, April 16 at the UCB Theater Training Center at 145 W. 30th Street, 4th Floor.

UCBT Training Center hours are as follows:

Sunday-Thursday 12-10pm
Fridays - 12-7pm
Saturdays - 12-6pm

DO NOT CALL OR E-MAIL the UCBT regarding audition sign-ups or with any questions about auditions.

If you are interested in auditioning, you must sign-up for one of these timeslots. There are no alternate times.

To sign-up you must come to the UCBT office in person. Leave your name, email and phone number on the sign-up sheet.

NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO SIGN-UP FOR ANYONE ELSE – IF YOU WANT TO SIGN-UP FOR A SLOT YOU MUST COME IN PERSON TO THE UCBT OFFICES.

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Coming to a small screen near you March 25th, UCB’s ASSSCAT on DVD (link to Amazon $9.99). I’ve ordered a copy (cough… where’s that promotional copy… cough) and can’t wait to see these performances videotaped last year at UCBLA’s theater with special guests like Will Arnet (Arrested Development), Chad Carter (UCB), Sean Conroy (The Swarm), Andrew Daily (UCB), Ed Helms (The Office), Jen Kirkman (UCB), Tom Lennon, Horatio Sans (Saturday Night Live), Paul F. Tompkins, Kate Walsh (UCB). For all of you who are unfamiliar of the UCB’s ASSSSCCAT Show, let me assure you this is going to be fast, furious, and probably crazy funny. Of course, you’ll have to wait for my review to see if it lives up to the UCB standard, but I’m thinking if they spent all this time making a DVD, it’s going to be well worth it.

On the heels of their enormously popular TV show, the Upright Citizens Brigade, Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh, bring you ASSSSCAT! an unparalleled improv comedy juggernaut. Beginning with a suggestion from the audience, a guest monologist tells a story that kicks off a series of high octane improvised sketches. From medical marijuana to embarrassing sexual encounters, no topic is off limits to the renegade performers who have helped make ASSSSCAT! one of the longest running improv shows in the history of the world.

Order yours and we can be like Opra’s book club… except that I am white and don’t have a problem with Zebra cakes.

Update: Okay, who’s not a writer? Ben isn’t. The writer of The Funniest One in the Room: The Lives and Legends of Del Close is none other than Kim “Howard” Johnson. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, he’s one of the co-writers of Truth in Comedy, the seminal book on longform improv which he co-wrote/edited with Charna Halpern and Del. In other words, the dude knows what he’s talking about.

I got the book today and so far it’s pretty good. I’m a little mystified by mentions of Del Sr. and Del Jr. and which one Kim is talking about from moment to moment, but hopefully that will end once we get past “Young Del” year, otherwise known as the “Pickle” years. Buy the book yo.

Next step — world domination.

2008 is the year of some improv, let’s get and’ing.

Alright here’s the dilly with recap:

• Adam Pally (Hotsauce, Beverly Hills) is now a member 1985
• Chelsea Clarke (Bombardo, Tantrum) has moved to fwänd
• Betsy Stover (Cowbot, Ice-Nine) is now a member of T.R.U.C.K.S. (is this new?)
• Ryan Karels (Creep, Krompf) is now a member of DeCoster (replacing Eugene Cordero)
• Ben Schwartz (Hotsauce, T.R.U.C.K.S.) is now a member of Tantrum
• David Siegel is now a member of Tantrum (WOOT!)
• Jeffrey Marx (Tantrum) has moved to Beverly Hills

Alright the real news for me is David Siegel. I’ve improvised with this dude a whole bunch and he’s the real deal. Before my old group Joe Loves Hobos was axed, Dave was added because he is one of the smartest players out there. This is big news and is going to make Harold night and Fridays at Under St. Marks even more difficult to miss. Congratulations Dave.

Gil Ozeri, Adam Pally, and Ben Schwartz, the members of Hotsauce, are all now back on teams. Not particularly meaningful, other than I like that all three are back in NYC. Makes UCB feel like home.

Other interesting news is the absence of Eugene Cordero from the lineups, which makes me a little sad. I always look forward to seeing Eugene on Harold night. I really don’t want to elaborate without the facts, but I’m sure he’ll turn up sooner or later.

Okay, so Eugene has turned up, a little sooner than expected, on Reuben Williams replacing Chris Kula who has moved out to LA to become rich and famous writing for MADtv. Congrats Euge! I’m exhausted, I need a nap.

Okay now I’m ahead of the curve, rumor through the grapevine is Chelsea Clarke, of Tantrum, will be filling Shannon O’Neill’s spot on fwänd and Adam Pally, formerly of Beverly Hills, will be filling Will Hines’ spot on 1985.

How was that for a run on sentence?

These are both really interesting moves. Chelsea one of my favorite players currently on a Harold team. Her growth as an improviser, over the last year, has been incredible. Bringing her onto fwänd is a really smart move and one I had not seen coming.

Adam Pally is also a wonderful performer, who was surprisingly not put on any Harold Team in the Decoster, Reynard, $12k shuffle a few weeks back. This was really surprising as Pally is an really smart player and played such an integral role in Beverly Hills. Seeing him again a few weeks back in the Hotsauce Cage-Match reminded me of what a strong player he is. I’m interested to see what effect he has on the 1985 line up. Being such a different player than Will Hines I’m interested how the team incorporates Pally’s abilities.

So, watch for the announcements, see if I’m full of shit, and go see these two new line ups.

It’s a pretty incredible line up and improves an already incredible show.

Although we still miss you Billy.

A big Improvoker congratulations to Jumpin’ Joe Spellman, Aubrey Plaza, Rob Cuthill, and all the other improvisers we don’t know yet.

News has it that tomorrow night, July 3rd at 8pm, will be Creep’s last show at Harold Night at the UCBNY. We urge you all to go and give them one last hurrah, before they all become so famous you can’t get near them with a 100 foot pole.* Creep is Eric Bernat, Eugene Cordero, Angeliki George, Birch Harms, Jeff Hiller, Ryan Karels, Megan Neuringer, and Amber Petty.

Creep is UCBNY’s longest running Harold team.

This news coming 1 month after Kill Your Darlings was removed from the Harold Night roster.

*A 100 foot pole is a pretty long pole.

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