by Kory M on January 25, 2010
Do you play a musical instrument? If so, you will probably agree that musicians have an inherent ability to collaborate. They even have their own word for it. Musicians “jam” together all the time, and every musician that I know enjoys playing together more then practicing alone.
Why should we collaborate?
- Ownership breeds acceptance.
- The best people are not in your group.
- Synergy, the sum is greater then the parts.
- Increased power, influence, and resources.
- Investing rule #1: Diversity ensures growth.
How to collaborate?
- Utilize interconnections.
- Find individuals and groups with parallel interests.
- Provide specific goal sets to the appropriate individuals.
- Focus on noticeable impact rather then tireless work.
- Create suitable physical and online collaborative spaces
How to stay effective?
- Use meeting time to meet, not schedule.
- Require goal oriented focus at every interaction.
- Work within time assigned tasks, define short/long term.
- Give credit where credit is due.
- Democratic decision making.
Don’t be afraid to commit you, and your groups time to a collaboration that is parallel to your vision, but may not point specifically to your vision. Those that you work with will be the ones that work with you in the future.
Let’s take a lesson from all the musicians; start naturally collaborating and create something great together.
by Kory M on January 21, 2010
We Are Not Amused: The 2010 London Improvathon
From 7pm Friday Jan 22nd 2010 to 9pm Sunday Jan 24th 2010
A 50-hour improvised comedy set in Victorian England
- What secrets lie in the shadows and fog of gaslit London?
- What mysteries lurk in the old music hall theatre?
- What horror hides in the castle overlooking the eerie Dudley Moors?
As sleep deprivation kicks in, the players become too tired to censor themselves, resulting in a unique and euphoric live performance. Directed live by Dana Andersen; presented by award-winning theatre company The Sticking Place and Canadian improv legends Die Nasty. It is getting some fantastic press:
“Nicholas Rowe and Alan Cox, who played Holmes and Watson respectively in Barry Levinson’s 1985 film Young Sherlock Holmes, are to reprise their roles live on stage for the 2010 London Improvathon 25 years after they appeared together on screen.”
Expect surreal comedy, dazzling drama and countless historical inaccuracies.
Over 50 actors and musicians from all over the world will create some of the best improvised comedy and drama on the London stage for 50 hours of non-stop, madness and mayhem.
by Kory M on January 21, 2010
SKETCH IT!, “Canada’s wackiest sketch troupe” (the New York Times), is coming to the Varscona stage this weekend! Comin’ atcha, straight out of Cornwall Ontario!
Five players will get a suggestion (or “ask for”, or “prompt”) from YOU (“the audience”) and incorporate it as a basis for their hilarious laff-a-minute sketches! Between sketches, the team of funnymen (and one funnywoman) will convene onstage and riff, coming up with the most brilliant sketch ideas, right before your very eyes! Then, they will perform these sketches!
Ever wonder what it would be like if deers ran a coffee shop? Come and see SKETCH IT! and find out! I’m sure it would be called STARBUCKS! HA HA HEE HEE HA HA HO!
Skewing reality as only Canada’s wackiest sketch troupe can! Sound too wacky for real life? Then come see it on the stage!
What about a robot wife?
Performed by Mike Robertson, Joey Lucius, Paul Blinov, Kory Mathewson, and Hannah Spear, with possible guests!
ONLY TEN BUCKS! THIS SATURDAY AT CHIMPROV! 11 PM START TIME!
[click to continue…]
by Kory M on January 18, 2010
Like Father Like Son, featuring Jessie McPhee and Julian Faid, is back for another week of CHiMPROV madness. The show critics are calling “Cuter than a pigmy miniature poodle riding a kitten with a tiny Jofa helmet on!” This time Like Father Like Son introduces a special guest… Richard Lam is coming for a sleepover! It’s every girls dream! Forts! Pillow Fights! Snacks! and Improv!
Re-live the fun of a good ol’ fashion Sleepover at Rapid Fire Theatre’s CHiMPROV this Saturday January 23rd at 11pm at the Varscona Theatre! The show is also Featuring The Tigercats! and Director Mike Robertson with the Chimprov Ensemble!
