tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2153888337668314458.post563136250913990773..comments2024-03-05T14:03:08.208-06:00Comments on Bite and Smile with Joe Janes: A Note to the Actor/ImproviserJoe Janeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858974237565248026noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2153888337668314458.post-91926896644066901282010-10-18T15:47:41.549-05:002010-10-18T15:47:41.549-05:00Maybe actors are too aware of the audience.Maybe actors are too aware of the audience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2153888337668314458.post-3562983982928402552010-10-18T15:40:10.091-05:002010-10-18T15:40:10.091-05:00Thea Lux wrote a comment to this piece on my Faceb...Thea Lux wrote a comment to this piece on my Facebook page about her experience with The New Colony.<br /><br />here it is...<br /><br />"At TNC we have brackets for lines that can be changed each production. That varies from character to character, depending on the "bittiness" of a character. We also have such a hippy dippy collaborative process that the lines change from ...time to time. As long as the subtext or intention is the same, if the phrase is said differently but the sentiment is the same, it's fine. It's nice because it provides the spontaneity that you can sometimes lose night after night. It's controlled ad-libbing, I guess and brevity is welcomed. Of course there's the occasional "hey, we like hearing ourselves talk" every now and then after a few weeks into a run...<br /><br />Obviously this differs from theater company to theater company and from process to process. TNC's spoils you, and solidifies my preference for contemporary theater vs. Chekov... being a bastard child of Anton, I guess this makes sense.<br /><br />Some actors really don't know what to do with the freedom the first time. Some go too far and will not trust the writer enough, thinking they have to completely take charge of their character. Some don't trust themselves enough and forget that their character is based on their input and energy.<br /><br />Tangent, right? I agree and disagree and and as libra as I am saying that every circumstance is different. But if it's set up to be a certain way, maintain that. Or, if that's how you want it to be set up, then make sure that's stated in the beginning otherwise an easy going mentality will accidentally be taken advantage of in the most innocent way."<br /><br />I think it all boils down to setting parameters.Joe Janeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05858974237565248026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2153888337668314458.post-36733685841594020532010-10-18T11:48:14.632-05:002010-10-18T11:48:14.632-05:00Bravo Joe! Having only been in 3 sketch comedy sho...Bravo Joe! Having only been in 3 sketch comedy shows and having none of the Chicago improv training, the whole "we can say whatever we want in rehearsal" is really intimidating at first. I was trained to stick to the script like it was covered in chocolate...unless the director released you. Once you're allowed to let go, I see the opportunities and discoveries that allow performers to make such great choices. BUT...it's never discussed...the letting go or the pulling back. The first show I did where folks "explored" the script seemed so masturbatory and no one said anything...for or against. I may be one of those performers who needs their hand held (or maybe I just like the way you smell) but establishing this at the begining of a process is so useful. Thank you for addressing it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com