Here are some great things that have been written about the Sunshine Scouts, collected here!
Joe Dawson, a fellow Obie, blogged about our first show this year!
Tess Yanisch, a new Scout, recounts the Chicago competition!
Oberlin College congratulates us!
A good samaritan gives us props!
Ma'ayan Plaut, one of Oberlin's favorite photographers, collects our photos here and here!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
VICTORY!
Well, folks, we did it. The Sunshine Scouts won first place in the Midwest regionals at the Chicago Improv Festival. This means we will be advancing to the finals in February. Thank you to all of the troupes who performed-- we have so much respect for how funny, unique, and clever everyone was.
Check out our longform on video!
Also, vote for The Improv Mafia, who placed second in the competition, so they can advance to the finals!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunshine Scouts at the Chicago Improv Festival!
Hi improv kittens!
Sorry it's been so long since I've updated-- I am now the director, so things have been heating up. We have three new Scoutlings:
Tess Yanisch
Isaac Jones
Natalie Nunez
And we love them all so very very much. We had our first show, and as soon as Ma'ayan sends us the photos, we will make sure you get the creme de la creme.
Big doings! The Sunshine Scouts were invited to participate in the Midwest Regional Chicago Improv Festival! We're very excited: this is our first time traveling. Wish us luck!
Sorry it's been so long since I've updated-- I am now the director, so things have been heating up. We have three new Scoutlings:
Tess Yanisch
Isaac Jones
Natalie Nunez
And we love them all so very very much. We had our first show, and as soon as Ma'ayan sends us the photos, we will make sure you get the creme de la creme.
Big doings! The Sunshine Scouts were invited to participate in the Midwest Regional Chicago Improv Festival! We're very excited: this is our first time traveling. Wish us luck!
Friday, July 17, 2009
AH YEAH
You thought we were done with you? NOPE. SUNSHINE SCOUTS WILL RETURN IN THE FALL. Get a clean pair of pants, you'll need it. Auditions coming soon.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sunshine Scouts are 40 Yards of Skin!
Tomorrow, Ben, Sam, and Avital from the Scouts will be performing as 40 Yards of Skin at Little Theater at 9 PM. The event costs $1 and is a fundraiser for the OCIC. We will be followed up by Primitive Streak.
WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS WORK IS NEVER DONE
The workshops will be taking place on Saturday, April 18. The time slots will be 11 AM - 1 PM, 2 PM - 4 PM, and 4:15 PM - 6:15 PM. They will be in the King building, room TBA. If you are purchasing a la carte workshops, please know that they are $15 each, or $40 for all three. The way it is broken down this year, there are workshops for all levels, so don't be hesitant if you are relatively green. Experience levels are noted in the descriptions. Here they are!
Remember you have to tell us if you are coming so we can make sure we have a spot for you! So please contact us!
Workshop Titles
11-1
Openings
What the hell is "game"? Finding and playing THE GAME in improv
Strong and Effective Scenework: Moving Forward with Every Step
Improvisational Editing Techniques
2-4
Musical Improv
The Art of Freestyle
The Movie
Abstraction and Experimentation in Improvisational Performance
4:15-6:15
Musical Improv
The Art of Freestyle
Group Games that Kick Ass
The Harold
Workshop Descriptions
Openings: Jim Santangeli of Rogue Elephant
Any experience level
A successful opening accomplishes three things for an improv team. 1. It entertains the audience right off the bat. 2. It helps build a group mind. 3. It generates ideas and themes to play during the show. This 2 hour workshop will be dedicated solely to generating ideas from the opening to initiate better scenes. There are many ways to open a show and we will practice many of them in the workshop. Hell, we might even stumble on a new one.
What the hell is "game"? Finding and playing THE GAME in improv: Nate Smith of Rogue Elephant
Any experience level
This workshop is designed to demystify the concept of "the game" in improv. We'll work on how to identify your funny ideas in a scene then build and explore them in ways that will keep your scenes alive and fun.
Strong and Effective Scenework: Moving Forward with Every Step: Rob Reese of Amnesia Wars
Intermediate to advanced
Rob Reese explores and breaks down players' scenes and moves to the end of a YES for every AND. In depth and intensive scenework with "Excellent personal feedback given in a non-threatening manner". (Deb Caruso, Student. Portland Improvised Theater Fest.) Also includes a discussion of the sometimes confusing, even contradictory "rules" of improv.
Improvisational Editing Techniques: Jared Robinson and Sean Dillon of Amnesia Wars
Any experience level
What makes a longform show move forward? How do you transition from one scene to the next?
Does your troupe use every moment as performance, or do they lose the tempo from scene to scene because the entire group is not tuned in to hearing the beats of the scenes?
In this course we will work on smart, interesting, and fun ways to listen and edit into and out of scenes where the improviser takes the initiative to start a new scene before they know exactly where that scene will go. We will develop techniques to make the move into a new scene the most exciting part of the show and drive the story to new places that will surprise both the audience and the improviser.
Musical Improv: I Eat Pandas!
Intermediate to advanced (see description)
An intensive session where participants will be able to learn the basics of improvised singing from I EAT PANDAS, as well as improve on already possessed musical improv skills (if applicable). Topics to be covered include: recognizing and initiating verse/chorus and tagline songs, infusing songs with character and emotion, and ending songs with style! Although prior singing experience is helpful, it is not required- but participants must be comfortable singing in front of others. Prior (non-singing) improvisational experience, however, is a must, as this workshop will use those skills to enhance the improv singer that lies hidden in all of us!
The Art of Freestyling: Justin Jackson, director of 45kings
Open to anyone who has done at least one improv scene
We will be exploring and expanding ideas, characters and points of view thru freestyle rap.
The Movie: Silija Ozols of Rogue Elephant
Working knowledge of longform recommended
The Movie is a longform improv structure that replicates an entire movie on stage. Students will learn basic movie-form techniques like camera angles, cut-tos, and scene painting that they can apply to any improv scene. Emphasis is on having fun and working together to create an interesting stage picture, as well as using movie techniques to advance the funny idea of a scene.
Abstraction and Experimentation in Improvisational Performance: Rob Reese of Amnesia Wars
Intermediate to advanced- vigorous movement involved so wear comfy clothing!
Combine advanced longform scenework and structures with techniques and styles borrowed (sampled / stolen) from America’s most venerable avant-garde theater companies, such as The Wooster Group and SITI Company. Add abstraction, theatricality, visceral motion and imagery to your improvisation. Students should come dressed and ready to move.
Group Games that Kick Ass: Gavin Speiller of Rogue Elephant
Any experience level
Are you tired of doing group games that are a mess? If you want to play group scenes that are more concise, focused and fun, then this is the workshop for you. Students will learn how to isolate and heighten game as a team and move throughout a scene as one unit.
The Harold: Eddie Dunn of Rogue Elephant
Intermediate to advanced
We will break down the Harold with different exercises to make improv and scene work within this classic longform structure easy and fun.
Remember you have to tell us if you are coming so we can make sure we have a spot for you! So please contact us!
Workshop Titles
11-1
Openings
What the hell is "game"? Finding and playing THE GAME in improv
Strong and Effective Scenework: Moving Forward with Every Step
Improvisational Editing Techniques
2-4
Musical Improv
The Art of Freestyle
The Movie
Abstraction and Experimentation in Improvisational Performance
4:15-6:15
Musical Improv
The Art of Freestyle
Group Games that Kick Ass
The Harold
Workshop Descriptions
Openings: Jim Santangeli of Rogue Elephant
Any experience level
A successful opening accomplishes three things for an improv team. 1. It entertains the audience right off the bat. 2. It helps build a group mind. 3. It generates ideas and themes to play during the show. This 2 hour workshop will be dedicated solely to generating ideas from the opening to initiate better scenes. There are many ways to open a show and we will practice many of them in the workshop. Hell, we might even stumble on a new one.
What the hell is "game"? Finding and playing THE GAME in improv: Nate Smith of Rogue Elephant
Any experience level
This workshop is designed to demystify the concept of "the game" in improv. We'll work on how to identify your funny ideas in a scene then build and explore them in ways that will keep your scenes alive and fun.
Strong and Effective Scenework: Moving Forward with Every Step: Rob Reese of Amnesia Wars
Intermediate to advanced
Rob Reese explores and breaks down players' scenes and moves to the end of a YES for every AND. In depth and intensive scenework with "Excellent personal feedback given in a non-threatening manner". (Deb Caruso, Student. Portland Improvised Theater Fest.) Also includes a discussion of the sometimes confusing, even contradictory "rules" of improv.
Improvisational Editing Techniques: Jared Robinson and Sean Dillon of Amnesia Wars
Any experience level
What makes a longform show move forward? How do you transition from one scene to the next?
Does your troupe use every moment as performance, or do they lose the tempo from scene to scene because the entire group is not tuned in to hearing the beats of the scenes?
In this course we will work on smart, interesting, and fun ways to listen and edit into and out of scenes where the improviser takes the initiative to start a new scene before they know exactly where that scene will go. We will develop techniques to make the move into a new scene the most exciting part of the show and drive the story to new places that will surprise both the audience and the improviser.
Musical Improv: I Eat Pandas!
Intermediate to advanced (see description)
An intensive session where participants will be able to learn the basics of improvised singing from I EAT PANDAS, as well as improve on already possessed musical improv skills (if applicable). Topics to be covered include: recognizing and initiating verse/chorus and tagline songs, infusing songs with character and emotion, and ending songs with style! Although prior singing experience is helpful, it is not required- but participants must be comfortable singing in front of others. Prior (non-singing) improvisational experience, however, is a must, as this workshop will use those skills to enhance the improv singer that lies hidden in all of us!
The Art of Freestyling: Justin Jackson, director of 45kings
Open to anyone who has done at least one improv scene
We will be exploring and expanding ideas, characters and points of view thru freestyle rap.
The Movie: Silija Ozols of Rogue Elephant
Working knowledge of longform recommended
The Movie is a longform improv structure that replicates an entire movie on stage. Students will learn basic movie-form techniques like camera angles, cut-tos, and scene painting that they can apply to any improv scene. Emphasis is on having fun and working together to create an interesting stage picture, as well as using movie techniques to advance the funny idea of a scene.
Abstraction and Experimentation in Improvisational Performance: Rob Reese of Amnesia Wars
Intermediate to advanced- vigorous movement involved so wear comfy clothing!
Combine advanced longform scenework and structures with techniques and styles borrowed (sampled / stolen) from America’s most venerable avant-garde theater companies, such as The Wooster Group and SITI Company. Add abstraction, theatricality, visceral motion and imagery to your improvisation. Students should come dressed and ready to move.
Group Games that Kick Ass: Gavin Speiller of Rogue Elephant
Any experience level
Are you tired of doing group games that are a mess? If you want to play group scenes that are more concise, focused and fun, then this is the workshop for you. Students will learn how to isolate and heighten game as a team and move throughout a scene as one unit.
The Harold: Eddie Dunn of Rogue Elephant
Intermediate to advanced
We will break down the Harold with different exercises to make improv and scene work within this classic longform structure easy and fun.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
OCIC laughs in the face of financial turmoil.
Hey all, here's an update about what we're doing, and how you can be involved in it.
We have a third troupe-- Rogue Elephant from NYC will be joining us. And notes about workshops: While the topics are still rolling in, we know we will have some freestyling workshops as well as musical improv, movement based work, and improv intensives for all skill levels.
I know that given the financial situation, things are getting a little dire, and a lot of people can't really afford to participate fully. If you want to go but can't pay in full, let us know! If you would rather donate your time than pay money, let us know! We are committed to making this work, come hell or high water. The conference has been in existence for ten years now, and we need to really show our support for student-run theater work on campus. If we don't, it will disappear! SO GET MOBILIZED!
We will be here, and we are invested in providing amazing programming. Not just given the present circumstance, but given what there is out there. We are interested in challenging the norms of improv. This year will be very exciting. We want to see you there.
E-mail us at sunshinescouts@gmail.com and let's work it out!
We have a third troupe-- Rogue Elephant from NYC will be joining us. And notes about workshops: While the topics are still rolling in, we know we will have some freestyling workshops as well as musical improv, movement based work, and improv intensives for all skill levels.
I know that given the financial situation, things are getting a little dire, and a lot of people can't really afford to participate fully. If you want to go but can't pay in full, let us know! If you would rather donate your time than pay money, let us know! We are committed to making this work, come hell or high water. The conference has been in existence for ten years now, and we need to really show our support for student-run theater work on campus. If we don't, it will disappear! SO GET MOBILIZED!
We will be here, and we are invested in providing amazing programming. Not just given the present circumstance, but given what there is out there. We are interested in challenging the norms of improv. This year will be very exciting. We want to see you there.
E-mail us at sunshinescouts@gmail.com and let's work it out!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
OCIC Updates!
Oh babies, the conference is simmering in the pot right now, and it's waiting for you to come take a little taste.
We currently have two troupes booked: I Eat Pandas and Amnesia Wars. A third is in the works.
This year, we are offering an economic stimulus deal: If you are confirmed, and we receive your check by March 20, the ticket will only cost $40 per person. This ticket will give you complete access to the following:
1) The professional troupes' shows
2) The exclusive OCIC party
3) Three workshops taught by members of the professional troupes
4) A slot in the Improv Till You're Dead marathon event
5) Free pizza and an invite to join us in our Surprise Sunday events!
I know this is a little pricey, but you really can't get this kind of value anywhere else. If you want to know where to send your checks, e-mail us at sunshinescouts@gmail.com!
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