Now that the defiantmonkey.com domain has finally become available we have snatched it up and launched the official Defiant Monkey Improv web site at...well, you know the address by now.
Never having had to design a site before, we have used the resident drag-and-drop template for the time being, and frankly have managed to set up a rather serviceable site, if I do say so myself (and I do.) Now it's time to learn web design. Shouldn't be too hard.
Yeah...I'm not kidding myself about that last part. It'll be a bumpy road, but I'll slog through it. I'm a graphic designer and familiar with a large part of the Adobe suite, so Dreamweaver...here I come!
(If anyone finds me balled up on the floor in a corner, just leave me be...I'll be fine.)
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Friday, August 19, 2011
Be a Part of the Art!
Have you watched shows like Whose Line is it, Anyway? and Drew Carey's Improvaganza and wished you could play games like those guys? Well, then - Defiant Monkey Improv Jams are just right for you, then!
Designed as kind of an "adult play date," Improv Jams are just plain fun! We have people of all ages and skill levels, from absolute beginners to seasoned improvisors (including players from Buffalo Comedysportz!) There's no pressure...we make you feel welcome and get you comfortable with everyone. Some people have been coming for a while, some people are there for the first time. No matter what, we'll get you playing games like you were a kid in no time!
We start out with fun warmups in a circle so we get our brains going and, if you're new, get you familiar with the others who are there. Then we move on to some fun games - we explain all of them in detail and show you how they work. Jump in whenever you feel comfortable!
Oh - and did I mention you can be a part of WNY's only all-improvised soap opera, Solomon's River?! Be a villainous shrew, a hooker with a heart of gold, a doctor, nurse, lawyer, corporate billionaire, whatever you want! Check out what's been happening at the Solomon's River blog: http://solomonsriver.blogspot.com/
We all wish we could play like kids again. Now you have the chance. Come be a Part of the Art!
Designed as kind of an "adult play date," Improv Jams are just plain fun! We have people of all ages and skill levels, from absolute beginners to seasoned improvisors (including players from Buffalo Comedysportz!) There's no pressure...we make you feel welcome and get you comfortable with everyone. Some people have been coming for a while, some people are there for the first time. No matter what, we'll get you playing games like you were a kid in no time!
We start out with fun warmups in a circle so we get our brains going and, if you're new, get you familiar with the others who are there. Then we move on to some fun games - we explain all of them in detail and show you how they work. Jump in whenever you feel comfortable!
Oh - and did I mention you can be a part of WNY's only all-improvised soap opera, Solomon's River?! Be a villainous shrew, a hooker with a heart of gold, a doctor, nurse, lawyer, corporate billionaire, whatever you want! Check out what's been happening at the Solomon's River blog: http://solomonsriver.blogspot.com/
We all wish we could play like kids again. Now you have the chance. Come be a Part of the Art!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Welcome, Part 3
So what is "Theatrical Improv?"
Improvisation is the art of creating theatre on the spot, with no script, no scenery, and no idea where anything will take you! Remember all the times as a kid you and your friends played House, or Cowboys & Indians, or (if you were like me and my geek friends,) Star Trek? You had no script...you did whatever came to mind, and everyone went along with it.
That's what we do. Improv players go up on stage, sometimes get a simple suggestion from the audience, and just go with it. By the time we're done, if we've done it right, the audience will be asking us how long it took to learn all those lines!
Do I have to do it alone?
Absolutely not. The wonderful thing about improv is that you're never alone...there's always someone there to support you. In improv, no one succeeds unless everyone succeeds.
Isn't improv just comedy?
NO. Shows like "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and live shows like ComedySportz have given everyone the impression that improv is just being funny. Real improv is theatre, and theatre is more than just comedy. At Defiant Monkey we will be exploring all aspects of the theatrical experience from comedy to drama, from suspense to love story, from slapstick to horror. Improv is theatre without limitations.
What more could you ask for?
Improvisation is the art of creating theatre on the spot, with no script, no scenery, and no idea where anything will take you! Remember all the times as a kid you and your friends played House, or Cowboys & Indians, or (if you were like me and my geek friends,) Star Trek? You had no script...you did whatever came to mind, and everyone went along with it.
That's what we do. Improv players go up on stage, sometimes get a simple suggestion from the audience, and just go with it. By the time we're done, if we've done it right, the audience will be asking us how long it took to learn all those lines!
Do I have to do it alone?
Absolutely not. The wonderful thing about improv is that you're never alone...there's always someone there to support you. In improv, no one succeeds unless everyone succeeds.
Isn't improv just comedy?
NO. Shows like "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and live shows like ComedySportz have given everyone the impression that improv is just being funny. Real improv is theatre, and theatre is more than just comedy. At Defiant Monkey we will be exploring all aspects of the theatrical experience from comedy to drama, from suspense to love story, from slapstick to horror. Improv is theatre without limitations.
What more could you ask for?
Welcome, Part 2
As the first group of invited players, we understand that you all have differing levels of experience with improvisational theatre from beginning to seasoned performers. Defiant Monkey welcomes all of you, and assures you that our Playshops will lead you gently into your first improv baby-steps and help you develop into confident improv performers, while our practice sessions will help players of all skill levels develop their talents in a fun, supportive, non-threatening environment.
Some of you will be interested in performing in our stage shows, others may just want to learn the art of improv; that's cool! We have a spot for all of you.
Our Playshops will be led by the founders of Defiant Monkey, myself (Andy) and Karen. Karen has a Master's degree and teaches Creative Writing and Public Speaking at the University level. She has years of improv experience including ComedySportz, Improv Buffet, and The Second City of Toronto. I am an Educational Specialist and have worked extensively with both ComedySportz and Improv Buffet. In other words, we know what we're doing!
The Playshops start at the beginning and teach you the fundamentals of theatrical improv. Normally courses like this cost $150-200, but as our first wave of invitees, you get it for FREE! (Too cool.)
Practices will be for those who wish to work toward performing in our shows. We'll work extensively on scene work and make sure that before your feet hit the stage, you're fully confident in your abilities.
This experience is valuable whether you want to do improvisation, star in plays, or just want to increase your confidence. And did I mention stress relief? How often as adults to you get to spend a couple of hours with other adults just playing and having fun??? Well, now you can.
So come play with us...we're looking forward to seeing you!
Andy & Karen
Some of you will be interested in performing in our stage shows, others may just want to learn the art of improv; that's cool! We have a spot for all of you.
Our Playshops will be led by the founders of Defiant Monkey, myself (Andy) and Karen. Karen has a Master's degree and teaches Creative Writing and Public Speaking at the University level. She has years of improv experience including ComedySportz, Improv Buffet, and The Second City of Toronto. I am an Educational Specialist and have worked extensively with both ComedySportz and Improv Buffet. In other words, we know what we're doing!
The Playshops start at the beginning and teach you the fundamentals of theatrical improv. Normally courses like this cost $150-200, but as our first wave of invitees, you get it for FREE! (Too cool.)
Practices will be for those who wish to work toward performing in our shows. We'll work extensively on scene work and make sure that before your feet hit the stage, you're fully confident in your abilities.
This experience is valuable whether you want to do improvisation, star in plays, or just want to increase your confidence. And did I mention stress relief? How often as adults to you get to spend a couple of hours with other adults just playing and having fun??? Well, now you can.
So come play with us...we're looking forward to seeing you!
Andy & Karen
Welcome, Part 1
Welcome, invited participants! We promised information, and here is what we have:
Defiant Monkey Improv has secured a practice/performance space in Lockport at the historic Kenan Center at 433 Locust St. We will be running workshop/practice sessions Saturday afternoons at 3:00. Karen & Andy will use our 40+ years of theatre, improvisation and teaching expertise to introduce you to the Five Pillars of Improvisation: Acceptance, Trust, Characterization, Story & Environment. Whether you are an experienced actor/improviser or are just starting out, Defiant Monkey’s WorkPlayshop series will help you
• Increase confidence
• Improve public speaking skills
• Enhance acting abilities
• Gain comfort in social settings
• Refine brainstorming abilities
• Improve listening and observation skills
• Enhance creative-thinking abilities
• Improve decision-making skills
• Just have fun!
We're looking forward to seeing everyone!
Defiant Monkey Improv has secured a practice/performance space in Lockport at the historic Kenan Center at 433 Locust St. We will be running workshop/practice sessions Saturday afternoons at 3:00. Karen & Andy will use our 40+ years of theatre, improvisation and teaching expertise to introduce you to the Five Pillars of Improvisation: Acceptance, Trust, Characterization, Story & Environment. Whether you are an experienced actor/improviser or are just starting out, Defiant Monkey’s WorkPlayshop series will help you
• Increase confidence
• Improve public speaking skills
• Enhance acting abilities
• Gain comfort in social settings
• Refine brainstorming abilities
• Improve listening and observation skills
• Enhance creative-thinking abilities
• Improve decision-making skills
• Just have fun!
We're looking forward to seeing everyone!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Inaugural Performance Announced!
No, not for the President. It's our first official show (actually half a show!) On December 12th we will be performing the opening half of W.A.R.P.D. Productions' Christmas Staged Reading show at the Taylor Theatre in the Kenan Center, Lockport, NY. Our portion of the evening will be an interactive comedy improv show sure to delight both young and old (does that sound "Dickensian" enough?)
The show begins at 7 pm, and the best part...it's FREE! That's our Christmas present to you.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Andy & Karen
The show begins at 7 pm, and the best part...it's FREE! That's our Christmas present to you.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Andy & Karen
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