Tag Archives: iO Chicago

PythonProv

It could have been a disastrous afternoon.

I was going to be teaching the very first PythonProv workshop at the iO Chicago, at the intersection of Monty Python and improvisation. I’m sure I was more nervous than my students. After all, how do you teach someone to improvise in the style of Monty Python?

I had a few reasons for optimism. If you can improvise Shakespeare, surely you can improvise Monty Python, and Improvised Shakespeare is one of the iO’s most successful shows. And, all modesty aside, I don’t know anyone who knows more about Monty Python and improvisation. (The glorious results of a misspent youth.)

But then, even the Pythons don’t improvise. They are meticulous writers, but the only improvisation they do is in the writing room.

So I had to wonder if I had bitten off more than I could chew, promising these students I could teach them how to improvise in the style of Monty Python.

And as I headed to the theatre this morning, I further realized that these students were part of the iO’s annual summer intensive, so I would be facing students from all across the country who had never improvised together before.

But when they started to arrive, I realized that I was wrong. True, they had never improvised together. But they were not from around the country. They were from around the world. So in addition to students from Pittsburgh and San Diego and Savannah, there were also students from England and Norway and Australia and Scotland. One of my students helped start the first improv group in Bulgaria!

But then we got down to it. It reminded me of one of my early classes with my pal Del Close. Del didn’t always know how things were going to work, but with the Baron’s Barracudas and his other students as his lab rats, he managed to figure it out. And, more often than not, he was right.

This time, I had a whole group of international lab rats to help me find our way through the process. We didn’t succeed with every scene, but more often than not, we managed to figure it out and learn how to keep improving. Even the students who weren’t as familiar with Monty Python were happy with the techniques they learned that could be applied to their more mainstream improvisation.

And by the end of the three hours, they were doing some excellent work, and I was starting to see the pathway to developing real PythonProv for performance.

And so, PythonProv is a thing, and not a disaster. Keep watching for more–I’ll be scheduling some full-length 8-week classes soon with the iO Chicago.

This is the beginning.

For those of you who have been asking what some of my incredibly talented classes have been up to: well, this is what some of my incredibly talented classes have been up to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuKRuK7k74s&feature=youtu.be

Yes, the next step for my Python Process class at the iO Chicago appears to be videos, specifically, writing sketches and then recording them. My class is called Sketch to Video, and signup is about to begin. Get ready…

Python Process Redux…

I’m always a little uncomfortable blowing my own horn here, but I’m about to start another session of iO Chicago classes. The ever-popular Python Process class, gets under way Sunday, May 3 at 12 noon, and spots in the class are disappearing faster than…well you can insert your own joke here. Students will learn about the Monty Python approach to sketch writing, with a heavy emphasis on re-writing and collaborating. But if you’re a Python fan–or even if you don’t think you are–you’ll enjoy watching classic videos, rare pre-Python clips, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes stories . Want to know what it was like backstage when the Pythons played the Hollywood Bowl? What a visit from Graham Chapman was like? What I learned from years working for John Cleese? I’ll tell you what I remember (and that’s going to be getting less and less as the years go by, so this is a good time to find out). This class sells out every time, so if you haven’t signed up yet, I wouldn’t wait.

And then, I’m going to be teaching a brand new class, also on May 3, starting at 3 pm. If you’ve taken The Python Process or the iO’s great SNL sketch-writing class, I hope you’ll consider my Sketch to Video Process class. This is aimed at people who have experience writing sketches, but then want to take it to the next level by recording them. Want to learn how to shoot and edit videos with your smartphone (or more sophisticated equipment) edit the results, and post them on-line–or compile your own video portfolio? This is the place! Get in on the ground floor by signing up here for the Sketch to Video Process!

If you’re in the Chicago area, and love sketch comedy, your options used to be limited. Very limited. Like, say, Second City and the occasional group that had found an empty stage to play on. That’s changed over the years. Now, the newest theatre has opened their second revue, and you do not want to miss it.

It’s called Undressed, by the same people who brought you Trap at The Mission Theatre, which is part of the iO Chicago theatre complex. I really enjoyed Trap. Undressed is even better. The seven-person ensemble has now been working together nearly nine months, and it shows. They have become very comfortable working with each other, and with their directors, David Pasquesi and TJ Jagodowski. Full disclosure: I have been lucky enough to know TJ for several years, and David for several decades. But even if I hadn’t, I’d still be recommending this show. So go. Now.You’re welcome.

#io #improv

Last night was the staged reading for my Python Process class at the iO Chicago, and it’s hard to imagine how it could have gone better. This group of students has been one of the highlights of my year so far, and anyone who saw the show last night will understand why.

It’s always sad when a group like this ends, but it may not be over yet. I’m looking at developing a second level of this class that will be just as exciting as the first level has proven to be. And, I’ll be teaching the first level more regularly than the previous annual rate. Stay tuned, and I’ll let you know.

And by the way–sometimes bacon just has bones…

Del and Amy

…Here’s an oddity–I had forgotten this even existed. In 1995, Del Close, Amy Poehler, and Matt Dwyer shot a pilot written by Tom Gianis and Adam McKay (whatever happened to him, anyway?). Like most pilots, it didn’t go anywhere, but it’s nice to see just a little bit more of Del…

Today was the final regular session of my Python Process class at the iO Chicago. We’re having too much fun to quit, though, so we’ve got one more rehearsal, and then we’re doing a staged reading of some of our best stuff at the Chris Farley Cabaret at the iO on Friday, October 6th at 7 pm. Don’t worry, I’ll remind you again.

I’m going to be genuinely sad to see this class end, it’s a great group of people and very talented, funny writers (the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive).

We’re missing a few, like Stevie and Ashley and Ross, but this will show you what a presentable group they are. If you want to find out how funny they are–well, you’ll have to come to the iO October 6th.

My Python Process class enoyed the Mr. Creosote scene just after lunch, and wrote some great endings to an obscure Palin-Jones sketch. If they knew how much fun I was having, they wouldn’t want to pay me…

@montypython #johncleese #terryjones #iochicago

My Python Process class at the iO did another typically fine job with their sketch-writing, so I rewarded them by showing the very first episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. I did do a bit of annotation, telling them the story of Peter Sellers’ milkman after “The Mouse Problem” sketch. Their homework this week was inspired by a suggestion from John Cleese’s So, Anyway… And next week I’ve got something very special planned involving an early sketch virtually unknown in the U.S. (Or Britain, for that matter.)

@montypython #montypython #johncleese @johncleese #soanyway

Can’t think of a better way to spend the first Sunday of 2015 than by teaching my Python Process class at the iO Chicago. I get to combine two of my faves–Monty Python and comedy writing. It’s a great group, and I can tell already we’re going to have to a great eight weeks! @montypython