Chrissy Shackelford Workshops
by John Ratliff Last night I saw I Didn’t See You There, the Austin Sketch Fest solo showcase. It was great, and it reminded me that I tend to underestimate the importance of characters in improv. Like a lot of improvisers, I often play characters who are pretty close to myself. Which is fine: it […]
Austin Sketch Fest Is Here!
Lovers of comedy, one of the best weeks in Austin is here. The 2016 Austin Sketch Comedy Festival––7 days of the best scripted comedy from Austin and beyond. All this week we have multiple shows each night featuring sketch, stand-up, and more starting at ColdTowne Theater, stopping by the Hideout Theater, and then concluding with […]
Recipes from the Garden
As seasoned hostesses, all the ladies of Gardenalia have a signature recipe that they delight in making and sharing with their fellow adherents. From cocktails to substantials, their recipes pair well with repressed feelings and overshares alike. Vivian’s Spring Fling Punch Perfect for Weddings, Garden Parties, and non-Religious Wakes – 2 liters sparkling water (if […]
Me vs. Game: A Love Story
by John Ratliff During the first few years I was doing improv, I developed a reputation as someone who hated game. (As in “the game of the scene.”) I didn’t hate it, really; I just thought it ran counter to the two things I really wanted to do, which were (a) grounded, realistic scenework and […]
Brandon Gardner Workshops
Brandon Gardner of UCB New York will be teaching workshops on May 8th. Workshops are $35 each or $60 for both (see below for details on how to save). The Game of the Scene 12pm-2pm, Sun. 5/8 ColdTowne Conservatory (6929 Airport Blvd., Suite #131, Austin, TX 78752) CLICK HERE TO REGISTER UCB Theater found Ian Roberts […]
Express Yourself is a Wrap!
The ‘Powerz That Be’ at ColdTowne Theater have asked the cast and directors of ‘Express Yourself’ to write some sad-sack sappy shit about the show. What follows is said sad-sack sappy shit. Linzy Beltran: ‘Express Yourself’ is THE most meaningful show I’ve ever done. Not only was I able to improvise with some of […]
Letters from the Garden – Gardenalia Opens Tomorrow!
Arian Brumby Dear Matilda, I’m so glad to hear that your husband was hospitalized for exhaustion! He’s been a thorn in your side for too long. Perhaps now you’ll have more time to play the rain stick. The Garden Party is this Saturday and I’m hoping to make a special connection with Ruby. She and I […]
Make It About The Relationship
By Sanjay Rao “Make it about the relationship”. You probably get this note in class and rehearsal all the time. It’s one of those golden rules of improv. When in doubt focus on the relationship. Say you’re in a tag out run and you’ve tagged in with your hilarious quip. It gets that big laugh […]
Troupe Spotlight: Kingz
How did Kingz come to be? A group of lady improvisers were talking about times that they had dressed as men in their lives (Halloween, for shows, etc). We talked about who enjoyed doing it, who didn’t enjoy it and also if at any point you were perceived differently if someone did actually think you […]
A Brief History of Magic
Returning to the ColdTowne mainstage on the heels of their sold-out 2015 run, sketch team Comedy Bazaar is back in February with A Brief History of Magic. Exploring everything from wizards and enchanters to the supernatural and the occult, the new show is sure to delight those who like magical themes as much as those […]