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Special Guest Workshop: The Straight/Absurd Dynamic

WHEN: Thursday, May 9th, 6-8pm

INSTRUCTOR:
Tami Nelson
Co-Founder and Education Director of The New Movement Theaters in Austin/New Orleans.

PREREQUISITES: Some kind of improv experience required. Email us if you have any questions.

CAPACITY: 12

LOCATION: Gallery5 (200 W. Marshall St)

DESCRIPTION:
“We believe that a high percentage of improv scenes fall into the category of straight/absurd dynamic scenes. Because of this, we study this dynamic intensely at TNM and have developed our own language through which we teach and perform. This workshop will dissect your stage relationships with the goal of immediately identifying the Strait/Absurd dynamic and how to play both sides intelligently and strategically. We will help you recognize your existing strengths and weaknesses within this relationship dynamic and offer tools to simplify Strait/Absurd scenes.”

- Tami Nelson

ABOUT TAMI NELSON
Tami has worked with students of all ages from kids (Austin Childrens Theater, Creative Arts of St. Tammany) to teenagers (OutYouth, BriteLights Acting Studio) to college students (Oberlin Improv Conference, University of Arizona, University of Texas) as well as hundreds of adults. Tami has taught improv consistently since 2006 as well as serving as director/co-founder of two successful improv training centers.

Tami has coached and directed workshops with many Austin and New Orleans improv student and performing troupes as well as working with groups nationally. She has taught workshops in Austin, TX, Tucson AZ, Atlanta GA, Jackson MS, New Orleans LA, Covington LA, Baltimore MD, Philadelphia PA, Dallas TX, St. Louis MO, Myrtle Beach SC, Ashville NC and Oberlin OH.

ABOUT THE SECOND HONEYMOON TOUR
The New Movement founders Chris and Tami are pumped to be heading out on their fourth national tour this Spring, The Second Honeymoon Tour. Since opening their second wildly successful comedy venue in The South (Austin and New Orleans locations), Chris and Tami have been too busy doing things like offending the nation on America’s Got Talent (Chris did Air Sex on national TV!), managing a wrestling stable (ACW) getting hitched (to each other) and raising an army of young comedians (TNM Conservatory) to hit the tour circuit. Married in December of 2011, Chris and Tami are taking advantage of this two week tour schedule as literally their second honeymoon – but a honeymoon for performance obsessed comedy kingpins.

Improv 101: Intro // SOLD-OUT

DURATION: Starts April 14th, and runs every Sunday from 7-9pm for 8 weeks.

INSTRUCTOR: Summer McCarley

PREREQUISITES: None. Email us if you have any questions.

CAPACITY: 16

LOCATION: RCC Training Center (3324-D W. Cary St.)

Have you always wanted to try improv? Are you looking to use the fundamental lessons of improv to improve other aspects of your life?

If you answered yes to these or any other questions, then RCC’s Intro to Improv is for you. In this first level of our training program, you will learn the fundamentals of improv from saying “Yes, and” to listening and being more spontaneous.

Intro to Improv is an eight-week course that is taught in a very supportive, fun environment that allows you to feel comfortable taking risks. All experience levels are welcome.

Improv 201: Scenework // REGISTRATION HAS ENDED

DURATION: Starts April 14th, and runs every Sunday from 1-3pm for 8 weeks.

INSTRUCTOR: Katie Holcomb

PREREQUISITES: Intro to Improv. Email us if you have any questions.

CAPACITY: 16

LOCATION: RCC Training Center (3324-D W. Cary St.)

Good scenes are the bedrock of any improv comedy show. You will strengthen the skills you built in our Intro class and focus on creating sustainable scenes based on strong, deep relationships and a connection to your environment.

This is the first class in our Intermediate level. Great if you want to dig deeper into improv or if you need to interact with other humans in your day-to-day life.

Improv 301: Groupwork // REGISTRATION HAS ENDED

DURATION: Starts April 17th, and runs every Wednesday from 7-9pm for 8 weeks.

INSTRUCTOR: Joey Tran

PREREQUISITES: Intro to Improv and Scenework.Email us if you have any questions.

CAPACITY: 16

LOCATION: RCC Training Center (3324-D W. Cary St.)

In this eight-week course we’ll explore what happens when more than two – three performers are on stage. You’ll get out of your head and support your team through pattern, game, scene and organic work.

This is the second class in our Intermediate level. You’ve contracted the Improv bug, you may as well accept that you are now beyond the help of medical science.

Improv 401: Longform // REGISTRATION HAS ENDED

DURATION: Starts April 15, and runs every Monday from 7-9pm for 8 weeks.

INSTRUCTOR: Patrick Gantz

PREREQUISITES: Intro to Improv, Scenework, and Groupwork. Email us if you have any questions.

CAPACITY: 16

LOCATION: RCC Training Center (3324-D W. Cary St.)

Longform improv takes a single suggestion, and unravels the nuance and meaning of it for a half an hour or so. We’ll approach Longform from the 16-bar blues of improv, Harold.

Over eight weeks, this survey of longform will strengthen the broad skills you have (two-person scenes, group work, playing from emotion, pattern recognition), and start to interweave them into a longer, cohesive piece. The emphasis of this class is helping you become a better improviser.

Improv 001: Freeview // SOLD-OUT

WHEN: April 7, 1-3pm.

PREREQUISITES: No comedy or performance experience (or money) necessary. This class is intended for anyone who has NOT taken a previous Freeview class.

CAPACITY: 20

LOCATION: RCC Training Center (3324-D W. Cary St.)

This free, one-time workshop is a preview of what improv class is all about. We’ll walk through some basic concepts, teach you a few exercises and games, and generally have a good time.

If you like, you can also sign up for any RCC classes right after the workshop.
Did we mention it’s free?