★ News from December 2000:
I survived!
The first term of my improv training culminated on Monday night with an exhilarating class improv performance at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Chelsea. My class, under the name "Instead of Church" (referring to our class time, Sunday mornings 9am-Noon), gave a raucous performance that incorporated improv concepts we learned in class and yielded hearty laughter amongst the packed UCB audience.
Our performance consisted of two "Armandoes"--a stripped-down, Haroldlike long-form improv, following a rough outline of performers doing a couple monologues and a couple scenes based on an audience "call" (a suggestion from the audience), and building to more monologues and scenes from the ensuing material.
Our improv teacher, the mighty George Badecker, divided our class up into two groups, a Group A and a Group 1. Each group hit many strong notes and got great reaction from the crowd--many of whom friends and family but also some the holdovers from UCB shows earlier that night.
Instead of Church hit the stage with their theme song ... yes, theme song ... an indie wonderhit penned and performed and played and recorded by multifaceted IOC member, Michael Sanchez.
And we had a poster for the show, as well as a postcard, both designed by ueber-graphic designer and IOC member, Camille Murphy. To view the postcard, click here.
The fate of Instead of Church hangs in the lurch. A bulk of IOC members are sticking together and continuing on next term in the same time slot, Sundays 9am-Noon--apparently a first in UCB history. However, some are drifting to other times (some preferring a Tuesday night slot).