Troupe on YouTube

Troupe Campus Comedy Show, Spring 1992.

wow.

Reunion 2007 Final Countdown!

I can't wait!

Here are some links:

• Reunion schedule
• Hotel rooms and other housing
• Miscellaneous plans and discussion

See you there! Email me or message me through the forums if you haven't RSVP'd yet.

Scrapbook and Reunion

Sue Stephens is retiring!

Now that I got your attention, go check out this thread on the forums to find out more. We're putting together a scrapbook, and we want every Trouper past and present to make a page. Check out the forums for details!

We're also going to have a Troupe 16 year birthday party reunion, for this year's spring shows: April 13 and 14, 2007. Watch your mailboxes and the forums for more news as well!

Auditions!

Welcome to Troupe's newest member, Ben!

15 Year Reunion Show! Final Countdown

Three days.

I'm giddy with anticipation

15 Year Reunion Show! Final Countdown

Three days.

I'm giddy with anticipation

Laura Loo in Neil Simon's Rumors

The Troupe's very own Laura Loo has been cast in Neil Simon's Rumors, produced by the Thumb Area Center for the Arts (TACA).

The first guests arrive at the 10th anniversary party of their friends Charley and Myra Brock. When they arrive they find that Myra and the new porsche are gone, and Charley is konked out on Valium in the bedroom with a bullet hole in his ear. You didn't realize that farce coud be this funny.

Who: Laura Loo (and guests)

What: Rumors by Neil Simon
Produced by the Thumb Area Center for the Arts (989-673-5266)

Where: Knights of Columbus, 903 Ryan Road, Caro, Michigan 48723

When: March 3, 4, 5, and 6. The play has been double cast and Laura is in the younger cast who is performing on March 3 and 5.

Tickets are $22.00, with your choice of steak, fish or porkchop.
Tickets for Thursday night only are $12.00 because it's Munchie Theatre and you'll get hotdogs or a burger. You can buy your tickets at the door, but there are no guarantees that you'll be sitting next to each other.

Alcohol will be available to buy at dinner and during intermissions .

Extra Info:
Laura says that if you call on Thursday from 7:00 - 10:00, or Sunday from 3:00 - 9:00, she can guarantee someone will be there because that's when they rehearse or, if folks are actually serious about coming that she'll just get you and yours some tickets and you can just pay het back.

Festivals

Clif and I will be performing at the Chicago Snub Festival this weekend, the Miami Improv Festival the first weekend of February, the Phoenix festival as a guest of our loveable Bill Binder in June at the San Francisco Improv Festival. We're still Holding out for the Chicago Improv Festival...Cross your fingers.

Commedia in Ann Arbor

A good friend of mine and former performing compatriot of our very own Jon D. Colman (l'il John), Steve Kime (who is a professionally trained Clown and Mime) is performing Commedia in Ann Arbor in August. I highly reccommend the show (Details below).

Ellipsis Theatre Ensemble is proud to present the second annual Commedia in the Courtyard production: 'Arlecchino in Hell'. After creating a sensation last year with 'Pantalone's Inheritance', Ellipsis' Commedia troupe takes off with another improvised, outdoor, high-energy, crazy comic romp, complete with masks, juggling and gymnastics. This year Pantalone is again up to evil tricks, Arlecchino is running for election and the two young lovers are thwarted at every turn... Joanna Hastings and Scott Screws direct Chris Korte, Owen Wittekindt, Steve Kime, Maureen Biermann, Kelly Rossi, Meagan Evanoff, Joel Mitchell and Scott Screws in a scenario by Scott Screws and Joanna Hastings.

Performance dates: August 5-7 and 12-14 at 8:00 p.m. Performance locale: the courtyard at Downtown Home and Garden, Ashley St, Ann Arbor Tickets $12/$8 in advance at Downtown Home and Garden or at the door.

The benches are hard! Bring a pillow!

Curtis Jay in Star Trek Communicator

You can see Curtis J. Fortier on page 62 of Star Trek Communicator (issue #151)--on newsstands now--from his performance in Romeo & Juliet: The Last Battlefield. This is an article about "Trekkies 2" which will be released on DVD August 31st and Curtis is featured prominently in the Los Angeles section.

Booking Workshops for 2005

Clif and I are setting our schedules for next years Festivals and Workshops, and because you are all so close to my heart, I sincerely want to offer you all first dibs at my time. I can tailor our time together to fit your ensemble goals if it's a group environment, or something a little more generic if you want to open it up to the local improv community, or something in between. Also, if we both come out, obviously we would be willing to do a show.

We want to fill our calendar up as early as we can so we can plan our travel accordingly and we already have tentative plans for the Arizona and Miami festivals this year, as well as some local workshops.

So, if you are interested in having one or the both of us come out and work with you (either in the Troupe, or with your new teams and communities for those that have moved on), please let me know and we can make the appropriate arrangements.

Improv Clases at Improv Inferno in Ann arbor

Registration has begun for the inaugural round of classes at Improv Inferno, a new improv comedy/lounge opening in Ann Arbor on September 10th. We are pleased to offer the following classes:

Welcome to Improv

Looking to be more confident or spontaneous? Want to be a better public speaker, or sell more widgets? Want to launch your improv comedy career? This is that class. Recommended if you have no or little improv training, this class covers the basic skills of improv. You'll learn: spontaneous speaking, active listening, stage positioning, object work, how to create and play basic improv scenes, as well as learning a wide variety of improv games and exercises.

Instructor: Trish Izzo
Meets: Tuesdays from 7:00-9:30 for 6 weeks
Starts: Tuesday September 14th
Cost: $150
Requirements: None

Chick Prov

For women only, this class will cover the skills involved in making bold and aggressive choices in scenes. Special emphasis will be placed on staying true to your own initiations and retaining your power in scenes. You will learn to create strong scenes with depth and character. Recommended for improvisers with some improv experience or training.

Instructor: Sabrina Harper
Meets: Sundays from 3:00-5:30 for 6 weeks
Starts: Sunday September 12th
Cost: $150
Requirements: Some improv experience or training

High Performance Improv

Focusing on personal feedback and the character elements of scenic improvisation, this class is recommended for improvisers with substantial improv experience or training. This class will cover creating scenes with power and authority and bringing the fullness of your personality into your scenework. With substantial personal feedback you will learn your strengths as an improviser and how to improve in other areas. This class will also cover the dynamics of longer improvised shows. At the end of this class, students will be put together into groups for a performance.

Instructor: Dan Izzo
Meets: Tuesdays from 7:00-9:30 for 6 weeks
Starts: Tuesday September 14th
Cost: $150
Requirements: Substantial improv experience or training