So, this happened on Twitter yesterday:
I think those of us who are already “plugged in” take for granted how hard it is for someone new to the scene to get a group together. If I want to, I’m spoiled for choice, but it took some time to get here. Most of the people I started practicing with were not classmates. You would likely never have heard of me if I hadn’t been a regular at Improdome. I never would have been a regular if I didn’t used to live so close to the PIT; I had a day job.
If “interviewing” isn’t acceptable, what’s the right way to do it? Sitting in for a practice is great, if you can afford to spend the time and money. What’s wrong with wanting to talk to the person first, to get an idea if you get along or not?
I know it’s just Twitter, where the goal is to fit as much snark as you can in 140 characters or fewer. But it’s unfair pass judgment on interviewing, or any idea, if you don’t have a better idea to offer.
I stand by my statement.
If you are just taking classes and are trying to get into the practice group momentum, then you are still just learning and having fun. But the whole idea of interviewing puts a pressure on you to prove your worth. Unless the interview consists of “Can you make regular practice and bring money?” then it seems superfluous to interview people to help come along with you to learn.
I mean, I did have sort of a “try-out” practice for Stamp and Coin Club, but they were already performing regularly and had a few guys on the team who hadn’t seen me yet. I didn’t have to answer any questions about my theory , or game moves, or whatever. I don’t know what the questions were.
And then imagine the feeling of rejection when you interview for a practice group and are rejected. It is not hard to get a group together. I did it about 3 times. Start with a few people in a class you like, then have them ask people in their other classes that they liked. Check the IRC to find out about space and get a coach. Bing bang boom.
I can understand why a team might feel they need to do this, especially with the amount of new students there are each year, but improv should be fun and about having fun at its core. At least, that’s my thought. I got into doing comedy because I wanted to get away from the business world for a few hours.
Reblogged from benzado.
November 06, 2009, 2:10pm Comments
