Rob writes..."The Callback"

In improvisation, we have what is called a "callback". This is when an improviser refers to something from an earlier part of the scene / show. When done right, a call back can add power to a moment. Think of The Shawshank Redemption (SPOILER ALERT!). We think of the poster as meaning one thing until we find out that in fact it is his key to salvation. It is a very powerful tool because the audience already sees something in one context and is delighted to find it in a separate context.

However...

There are those improvisers who abuse the callback. Too many callbacks take away from the power of the callback. This is also how I feel about the music of Ani DiFranco. I love 3 or 4 songs. I don't need 8.

Use the callback carefully, sparingly and with dignity. Do not abuse the callback. It's power lies in it's careful placement...just like the pick axe inside the bible in Shawshank.

Get it? That was a callback!

Come see Broadway's Next Hit Musical use callbacks in a good way on April 30th at The Triad at 10pm.

Winning IS everything.

Deb Rabbai Writes:

Winning IS everything.

Ok that's not entirely true. But in the case of the Improvisation News awards that we've been nominated for...well winning sure would be nice! So I hope you voted for us!

Other than winning one of those awards, people sometimes wonder about how we feel if the song we presented in BNHM wins or loses. I feel a few ways about it myself. If the audience votes for a song that I presented and I too thought it was good and fun to create, then I'm happy because I get to sing it again. However, if I felt eh about my presentation and I was struggling to get through it well then...knowing I have to recreate it can be scary and burdensome. Our job though is to make it look easy, seamless & fun and hopefully no matter which happens you will enjoy it.

Throw it out in front:

Tonight we had a rehearsal for our upcoming show (on March 12th at 10pm at the Triad...go to www.broadwaysnexthitmusical.com for more info). In rehearsal we did some work on simply improvising some songs. It had been awhile since we had done some simple spot songs so it was a nice refresher. We did a few and it was great. Then we added a little twist. As well as starting out with the title, we also gave ourselves a random first line. We all wrote down some first lines and at the very last second, as Matt Cohen had already started to play the vamp, we grabbed a random line and sang it. We then lived in that image for awhile and eventually found our way to the title / chorus. The result of this exercise were plentiful. To start, we found unusual ways to get from point a to point b. I had the title "Caged". The first line I got was "chocolate is a lie". By being forced to start with that, I ended up talking about how the sweet things in life are tempting but reality tends to not be so sweet. I never would have found that way to the title / chorus had it not been for the "limitation" of that first line. It reminded me of the improvisers responsibility to force him/herself to walk the tightrope. By putting myself in a situation where I am forced to discover, I am allowing worlds to open up and in this case, those worlds were more unusual, creative, exciting, etc. As a listener, when others in the rehearsal tried the same exercise, I was completely captivated because I was on the journey with them. Throwing something out in front of you and finding your way to it makes you walk down a path you may normally never have chosen.

Come watch us surprise ourselves (and hopefully you) this Friday night at the Triad!

"A Good Title"

People often wonder if the things they yell out/write down at an improv show are the kinds of suggestions that we improvisers want to get. Some yell what they consider to be funny suggestions with the thought (I think) that these types of suggestions will help us out. Some yell dirty things with a similar intent as the funny people. Some yell out references to political or social issues. I'd love to say that any of these are just peachy and ultimately, it is true that we can make any of them work and work well. Truthfully, however, what we improvisers really WANT and thrive on are nice, simple suggestions of everyday thoughts.

When we ask for a location, we don't need you to yell out "a bathroom" or "a brothel" or "inside a pumas' brain." If the first thing you think of is beach, then yell "a beach." Similarly when we ask for a song title, you can write down anything that comes to you. If "Grandma's House" is what comes to mind, write that. If "the square root of 2" come to mind, write that.

To sum up, we will do our best to turn ANY suggestion into gold, but for you...the pressure's off! We do our best work when we trust in the moment and speak what is in our minds. You have that freedom.

And, of course, if you would enjoy writing something down something funny... than go for it and we will make that rock too.

Come try your suggestion skills on March 12, at 10pm, at The Triad.