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Posts tagged "improv"

Photo Friday

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Checking out the ole photo archives are Chin Manor. Here are some pics of Chicago Improv World from days gone by.
By Jason Chin,
March 25, 2011 at 3:30 pm
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I Improvise, Urdu?

The power of improvisation is international. Recently, the very first Urdu-speaking improv group performed in Karachi, Pakistan. Karachi was the capital of Pakistan (it was replaced by Rawalpindi in 1959) but it still remains Pakistan’s largest city and its chief transportation, financial, commercial and manufacturing center. Azfar Ali, the groups founder, said that he believes... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
March 1, 2010 at 3:42 pm
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Colbert Reports on... US!

The Colbert Report turns its winking eye and tongue-in-cheek towards the Illinois 5th District and manages to sneak in several references to its strong improv culture and background. Of course, Stephen Colbert, is a Chicago Improv Alum and was recently in town for the Second City 50th reunion. Many of the Colbert Report’s writers are... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
February 14, 2010 at 1:49 am
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To Texas n Back

Texas is now the home to TWO brand-new spanking theaters devoted to long-form improvisation. Dallas Comedy House and The New Movement Theater. Here’s some photos from my trip to the Lone Star Stage, uh, State... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
February 8, 2010 at 2:42 pm
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Improv Is Just Like Thanksgiving!

There are weird similarities between the world of Improvisation and the Thanksgiving holiday.  (look at these guys. They’re hilarious.) Long after the joke/turkey is done, people keep picking at it. You don’t always get to choose whom you eat/play with, but if everyone’s polite and obeys the houserules we can all get along for the... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
November 20, 2009 at 11:24 am
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Sex in the Second City

The Chicago Tribune asks, “Are Funny Women Intimidating?” with interviews with some great female improvisers. Now, I had originally written the previous sentence without the word “female”, but I added it because that’s pretty much how the article views the people in the story. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a great article; I... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
November 9, 2009 at 4:46 pm
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Conan! Improv! Anime! Boobies!

Conan O’Brien is still plugging along with the Tonight Show.  Ratings aside, it’s still a very funny show. Last week, Conan (who lived here in Chicago and did sketch shows) and his sidekick Andy (who lived here and did lots of work with the Annoyance Theater and the iO Theater) visited Bang!Zoom! Studios where they... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
November 2, 2009 at 1:11 pm
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The News is Real..

… Everything Else is Improvised. It’s a motto and a way of Life. How long do improv shows last? Can an improvised show, by its very nature, sustain a long life? There was another question I had about six years ago; can there be an improvised satire that was as smart and biting as something... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
September 18, 2009 at 3:36 am
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Once More, With FEELING!

At the heart of every improvised show is The Scene. Now, what constitutes a scene? Well, anytime two or more people are on stage together and attempt to create a dialogue between the characters portrayed (as opposed to a dance, song, or some sort of giant flying bird thing) that’s a scene. Here’s the very... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
June 12, 2009 at 12:32 am
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Yes, And...?

This is the first in many installments of “Yes, And…?”, where I ask a show a few questions. Not an interview, not a FAQ; more like an FAQerview. Here’s my old teammate, older friend, and a great teacher, Mr. Rich Sohn: Yes, And…? What’s the title of your show? Bad Touch Why should people spend... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
June 8, 2009 at 12:46 pm
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