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!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
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!
Friday, December 12, 2008
OCIC 2009!
Hello everyone,
OCIC preparation is in full swing. What is the OCIC, you're asking?
The Oberlin College Improv Conference! OCIC is one of the largest student run improv events in the country. It brings together student and professional troupes from all over the country for a weekend of workshops, performances, and silliness. The hallowed event is Improv Till You're Dead, a Saturday night, no-holds-barred improv marathon with all of the student troupes. It's like an automatic improv machine gun.
Every year has brought together a different group of troupes, short- and long-form. We are always interested in new (and new to us) talent. If your school would like to be involved this year, give us a little hooty-hoo over at sunshinescouts (at) gmail (dot) com.
This year's conference will be held April 17-19 all over the Oberlin College campus, and the all-inclusive cost of events will be $45. This includes the professionals show, three Saturday workshops, the OCIC party, Improv Till You're Dead, and the Sunday discussions.
More information as it develops!
OCIC preparation is in full swing. What is the OCIC, you're asking?
The Oberlin College Improv Conference! OCIC is one of the largest student run improv events in the country. It brings together student and professional troupes from all over the country for a weekend of workshops, performances, and silliness. The hallowed event is Improv Till You're Dead, a Saturday night, no-holds-barred improv marathon with all of the student troupes. It's like an automatic improv machine gun.
Every year has brought together a different group of troupes, short- and long-form. We are always interested in new (and new to us) talent. If your school would like to be involved this year, give us a little hooty-hoo over at sunshinescouts (at) gmail (dot) com.
This year's conference will be held April 17-19 all over the Oberlin College campus, and the all-inclusive cost of events will be $45. This includes the professionals show, three Saturday workshops, the OCIC party, Improv Till You're Dead, and the Sunday discussions.
More information as it develops!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
WELCOME NEW SCOUTS!
Sunshine Scouts would like to extend a huge howdy-do to its five new members:
Dashiell Robb
Lily Grabill
Alia Syed
Sam Skove
Moze Halperin
FIVE NEW GOSLINGS!
Auditions this year were fantastic. We saw a lot of talent!
Dashiell Robb
Lily Grabill
Alia Syed
Sam Skove
Moze Halperin
FIVE NEW GOSLINGS!
Auditions this year were fantastic. We saw a lot of talent!
Friday, August 29, 2008
AUDITIONS!
The Sunshine Scouts are hosting auditions for the new year!
TUESDAY September 2 10 PM to Midnight
WEDNESDAY September 3 10 PM to Midnight
Sign up sheets in Warner, meet in Warner TBA.
This will be the most fun you can have with pants on. Check our FAQ for details.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Photos from our latest show
The Sunshine Scouts had their last show of the fall semester on December 8, at the Cat in the Cream coffeehouse. Here are a couple of pictures from the show, thanks again to the magnificent Ma'ayan Plaut.
(Not pictured here are Annika Franklin and Sarah Degni, who were both in a production of Measure for Measure. We missed 'em.)
FAQ
Q: What is longform?
A: As far as what we do goes, longform is a style of improv that more closely resembles the format of a play. There are recurring characters and/or themes that get developed in different types of scenes. Once we get a suggestion, we improv for about 35-50 minutes straight. This is very different from shortform, which relies more on quick games and scenes. Longform is not Whose Line is it Anyway?
Q: How much of Sunshine Scouts shows are improvised?
A: 100% of the content is improvised. Everything that you hear and see the Scouts do is made up on the spot. As a group, we play with different forms (different templates for our longforms) so sometimes we may have decided to have such-and-such kind of scene appear at some point. Other times we throw caution to the wind in a freeform. It all depends. However, our words and actions are all spontaneous and organic... it's improv!
Q: So if it's all made up, why do you rehearse?
A: We don't rehearse, we practice. We do this because we need to build trust among the members of our group. Through practice we learn each other's rhythms and learn how to tap in to a group energy that allows for stellar longforms. We also learn how to develop different parts of ourselves that we can showcase in performance. We also love each other, and go through withdrawal when we're not very, very close.
Q: Is improvising scary?
A: Yes and no. New Scouts may have some fear coming in to the improv process, because it's a unique performance experience. However, with time the improvising becomes a second nature, and we come to need it like breathing.
Q: How often do you have auditions?
A: Scouts auditions generally occur at the beginning of each fall semester. However, given that some members graduate early and other members go abroad, we reserve the right to host auditions in the spring as well. We will keep you updated on that front.
Q: What are auditions like?
A: Fun. No preparations necessary. We will ask you to do a variety of warmups, games, and scenes, both with other auditionees and Scouts members.
Q: But what if I don't have any improv/theater/dance/singing experience? Can I still try out for the Sunshine Scouts?
A: Awesome. Come on down.
Q: How many people are in the Sunshine Scouts each year?
A: That depends. Generally the number is somewhere from 6-10, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been smaller, or larger. The membership ebbs and flows by semester. We never try to meet a quota; rather, we see who would add to the group dynamic.
Q: You're an improv troupe, where's the joke question?
A: Right here. Funny, huh?
Any more questions? Feel free to drop us a line and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!
A: As far as what we do goes, longform is a style of improv that more closely resembles the format of a play. There are recurring characters and/or themes that get developed in different types of scenes. Once we get a suggestion, we improv for about 35-50 minutes straight. This is very different from shortform, which relies more on quick games and scenes. Longform is not Whose Line is it Anyway?
Q: How much of Sunshine Scouts shows are improvised?
A: 100% of the content is improvised. Everything that you hear and see the Scouts do is made up on the spot. As a group, we play with different forms (different templates for our longforms) so sometimes we may have decided to have such-and-such kind of scene appear at some point. Other times we throw caution to the wind in a freeform. It all depends. However, our words and actions are all spontaneous and organic... it's improv!
Q: So if it's all made up, why do you rehearse?
A: We don't rehearse, we practice. We do this because we need to build trust among the members of our group. Through practice we learn each other's rhythms and learn how to tap in to a group energy that allows for stellar longforms. We also learn how to develop different parts of ourselves that we can showcase in performance. We also love each other, and go through withdrawal when we're not very, very close.
Q: Is improvising scary?
A: Yes and no. New Scouts may have some fear coming in to the improv process, because it's a unique performance experience. However, with time the improvising becomes a second nature, and we come to need it like breathing.
Q: How often do you have auditions?
A: Scouts auditions generally occur at the beginning of each fall semester. However, given that some members graduate early and other members go abroad, we reserve the right to host auditions in the spring as well. We will keep you updated on that front.
Q: What are auditions like?
A: Fun. No preparations necessary. We will ask you to do a variety of warmups, games, and scenes, both with other auditionees and Scouts members.
Q: But what if I don't have any improv/theater/dance/singing experience? Can I still try out for the Sunshine Scouts?
A: Awesome. Come on down.
Q: How many people are in the Sunshine Scouts each year?
A: That depends. Generally the number is somewhere from 6-10, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been smaller, or larger. The membership ebbs and flows by semester. We never try to meet a quota; rather, we see who would add to the group dynamic.
Q: You're an improv troupe, where's the joke question?
A: Right here. Funny, huh?
Any more questions? Feel free to drop us a line and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!
Scouts linkage
Due to the nature of improv, there is precious little on the internet about us, but here's what we've got.
http://oberlinimprov.com/home.html
http://oberwiki.net/Sunshine_Scouts
Give it a lil check out.
http://oberlinimprov.com/home.html
http://oberwiki.net/Sunshine_Scouts
Give it a lil check out.
(Photo courtesy of Ma'ayan Plaut)Welcome, cats and kittens, to the blog for the Sunshine Scouts, Oberlin's own longform improv comedy group. Here you will get updates on our sweet happenings, photos from our shows, and information about the Oberlin College Improv Conference (OCIC) in the spring. Feel free to contact us with any questions at SunshineScouts (at) gmail (dot) com.
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