Posts Tagged ‘playful’
Constitution SINGS Back to teabagers
The new congress plans to read the constitution before sessions as if the words of the document might clarify there political views. There is a whole branch of government that works to interpret what the words of that document imply to specific law called the Supreme Court. Oh, how simple life is to a teabager.
It is that thought that inspired what the constitution might say in response if it could talk or even sing?
Playful People of ARK – Kohl Miner
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They did not view the Ark as a place to be taught but came with the excitement of children at Christmas. They arrived with an expectation to play and experience in a carnival of creative possibility – that is really what Ark offered. Little did they know they were learning at the same time.
Time seems to separate us, one from the other, yet there is joy in spirit that is eternal. So, from time to time I want to share the workings and wanderings of some playful people who sailed for some years at the Ark Improvisational Theatre.
Kohl Miner Kohl Miner is a poet, playwright, performer and native of the Ho-Chunk Nation. In the 1980s and ’90s, he performed with In the Heart of the Beast and produced a number of solo works here before experimenting with life in New York and Los Angeles. He returned to Minneapolis earlier this year and picked up right where he left off, writing, performing and dabbling in other creative pursuits. 3-Minute Egg catches up with Miner at the Equilibrium spoken word series at The Loft Literary Center.
He is performing in “Master Butchers Singing Club” at the Guthrie Theatre – Minneapolis.
by Marsha Norman
based upon the novel by Louise Erdrich
developed and directed by Francesca Zambello
Adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist Marsha Norman from the best-selling novel by Louise Erdrich, The Master Butchers Singing Club chronicles the intersecting lives of German immigrant and butcher Fidelis and sideshow performer Delphine as they settle into the small town of Argus, North Dakota. READ more
Hauntingly Playful fb Friends – 5
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Some of my face book friends know each other, some do not. Do you think it would be spooky if they all met one another?
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(Top left to right)Joan Afton, Bridget M. H. Buell
(Bottom left to right) John Mossman, David Petrashek, font floyd, Floyd Font
Hauntingly Playful fb Friends – 3
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Some of my face book friends know each other, some do not. Do you think it would be spooky if they all met one another?
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(Top left to right)Hannah Thorn, Larry Madeo, Joe Fodor
(Bottom left to right) Pepper Stebbins, Peter Kern, Ron Bieganski
Hauntingly Playful fb Friends -2
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Some of my face book friends know each other, some do not. Do you think it would be spooky if they all met one another?
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(Top left to right)Dave Freeman, Brian Stack, Jimmy Doyle
(Bottom left to right) Cassie Reinhardt, Risha Murray
For the Birds – call me cheep
Call me cheep….cheep….cheep, but it is time to feed the wintering birds again and I could not bring myself to pay the going price for those feeders you see. The ones below range from $39.95 to $189.95. (with FREE shipping!)
Off to the rummage sale I went in search of something, yet unknown, that could be fashioned into a feeder for birds, and down under a shelf, tucked among the fleas and swaps, was this gazebo made of branches and twigs with a little green tag on a string proclaiming it to be $3.00! Farther down the row was a little metal dish to fit to the floor for 10 cents.
So for a mere $3.10 came a fitting feeder the price of which allowed me to get a 50lb. bag of seed for $17.95 which should fill the dish through the cold and snowy months.
Some days a just full of small gifts and hungry birds!
Playful People – Ark – Evan Gore
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They did not view the Ark as a place to be taught but came with the excitement of children at Christmas. They arrived with an expectation to play and experience in a carnival of creative possibility – that is really what Ark offered. Little did they know they were learning at the same time.
Time seems to separate us, one from the other, yet there is joy in spirit that is eternal. So, from time to time I want to share the workings and wanderings of some playful people who sailed for some years at the Ark Improvisational Theatre.
The Improv Institute was founded in late 1983 by John Michael Michalski, who would go on to direct at The Second City in Chicago. The original cast included Michalski, Rick Hall (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development, Factory), Kate Kirkpatrick, Patricia Musker (aka Roxy Bellows, also a co-writer of Flanagan’s Wake), Michael Raysses (The Drew Carey Show), Andrew J. Sten, and Jill Talley (Mr. Show, SpongeBob SquarePants). They were later joined by Ron West (3rd Rock from the Sun). Later incarnations of the mainstage cast would include Jack Bronis (Early Edition, Chicago Overcoat, director/co-writer of Flanagan’s Wake), Mark Czoske (co-writer of Flanagan’s Wake), Evan Gore (Futurama writer), Ross Gottstein (Babylon 5, Frasier), Laura Hall (Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Tom Hanigan, Amy Hartl, Phil Lusardi (co-writer of Flanagan’s Wake), Patricia Musker (aka Roxy Bellows, also co-writer of Flanagan’s Wake), Bonnie Shadrake (co-writer of Flanagan’s Wake), and Brad Sherman.
“Fear of a Bot Planet” is the fifth episode in season one of Futurama. It originally aired in North America on April 20, 1999. The episode was written by Heather Lombard and Evan Gore and directed by Peter Avanzino and Carlos Baeza. The episode focuses on a delivery the Planet Express Crew must make to a robot planet named Chapek 9. The robot inhabitants hate all humans and Bender decides to join them because he is tired of robots being treated like second class citizens. The episode is a light-hearted satire on racism, an idea reinforced by the title, a reference to Public Enemy’s 1990 album Fear of a Black Planet.
Evan Gore has been teaching at bang since 1997 (yeow!). Previously, he taught at Chicago’s The Second City and The Improv Institute. A cast member of the group Stacy’s Not Here, he has been performing improv and sketch comedy since before many of you were born. His sit-com credits include Murphy Brown, Clueless, Two Guys and a Girl, and he regrets never having appeared on Law and Order. He’s on TV commercials, radio spots and his one-man show ‘Look At Me! Look At Me! Look At Me!’ was the hit of the Aspen Comedy Festival, back in ‘37. Along with his wife, he writes cartoons for all your favorites: Futurama, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Ozzy and Drix, The Weekenders. Currently, they’re writing for ‘Dave The Barbarian’ which will air on Toon Disney early in ‘04.
Playful People – Ark – Jessica Montague
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They did not view the Ark as a place to be taught but came with the excitement of children at Christmas. They arrived with an expectation to play and experience in a carnival of creative possibility – that is really what Ark offered. Little did they know they were learning at the same time.
Time seems to separate us, one from the other, yet there is joy in spirit that is eternal. So, from time to time I want to share the workings and wanderings of some playful people who sailed for some years at the Ark Improvisational Theatre.
I remember Jessica as she sang for the first time on the Ark stage. Her message machine played the lyric of Sarah Mclachlan – “I’ll take your breath away”.
Everything’s Jake (04/21/2000)
JakeJake, Bloodblue (Desert Dog Records 1999) – Jake is a four-piece combo from New York City, fronted by singer/songwriter and guitarist, Jessie Lee Montague. Bloodblue marks the second release from the band, and shows a brash rock sound, highlighted by Jessie Lee’s strong presence.
Bloodblue is a seven-track EP and is a follow up to their full-length debut CD, Hook, which was released on Sire’s Blackbird Records.
Jessie Lee MontagueStanding at the center of this well-greased quartet is single Jessie Lee Montague, who is flanked by long-time drummer Jagoda, bass player Johnnie Raggs, and John Annese on guitars and voices. The album was produced by Chicky and recorded at “Chicky’s Place” (with Chicky on all programming and keyboards).
The highlight of the EP is a cover of “I’m Not Alone” (the old 10cc song). With its feedback-drenched sound and drum loops, “I’m Not Alone” has a deliciously spare techno sound, and is one of the best singles I heard in a long while. Jake’s version easily outpaces the big budget cover by Olive on The Next Big Thing soundtrack.
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Jessie Lee MontagueVocalist Jessie Lee moved from New Mexico at 18 and studied improv in Madison, Wisconsin, with such stars-to-be as Chris Farley and Joan Cusack.
Jessie Lee met drummer Jagoda in Wisconsin, then bounced to Europe where she endured the chills of cold, dark fog and poverty while busking in London. Jake is Jessie Lee’s childhood nickname, and, as she says, “It was also John Belushi’s name in the Blues Brothers movie. What’s more cool than that?”
“Evil” and “Jellyroll” build on a power cord guitar structure, while “Jackflash” has a more introspective singer/songwriter feel.
The bandSays Jessie, “My family life was alienating and splintered. Many divorces, lots of silence, tremendous independence. I like everyone in my family. They are good people. But they are not the most emotionally nurturing group of people I have ever met. Therefore, I have a need to tell you and scream about what I need and want.”
And Jessie lets it hang out. She says, “‘By Myself’ was written very directly about a relationship I was in at the time. What else is there to say? And the followup, ‘Evil’ was written about the same person two years later. Things obviously didn’t get any better. The beauty of writing songs is it’s a way of putting some harsh feelings into a certain form of beauty. This process I find somewhat healing.”
The bandAdmits Jessie Lee, “Sometimes I get scared about being on an indie label. Sometimes I’m like, ‘Why don’t I have a video?’ It’s scary because in your head you have so many expectations once you are signed. You are like, ‘Oh, my life is totally going to change. I’m going to be doing this, I’m going to tour, I’m going to be on MTV.’ And then when you are still waitressing, it’s like, ‘Oh . . . that’s right, I’m still an indie artist.’”
Indie or not, Jessie Lee has real chops, and a goodly dose of angst to drive her rock.
Jessie Lee Montague”I’m Not in Love” is a tour de force from the studio and shows signs of brilliance. And it sounds different from the rest of the album. Says Jessie Lee, “This was a total experiment, again delving into Chicky’s world. It is one of my favorite songs of all time, and he wanted to cover it, so it was really just him and I masterminding the whole deal.”
Download the cd of Jessie Lee Montague at Bloodblue
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Playful People – Ark – The Bros Avila
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They did not view the Ark as a place to be taught but came with the excitement of children at Christmas. They arrived with an expectation to play and experience in a carnival of creative possibility – that is really what Ark offered. Little did they know they were learning at the same time.
Time seems to separate us, one from the other, yet there is joy in spirit that is eternal. So, from time to time I want to share the workings and wanderings of some playful people who sailed for some years at the Ark Improvisational Theatre.
Juan (left] was at the original ARK. A few years afterward he was followed by his brother Alexis,(center) who joined another company: Arktoo.
Alexis Avila is Founder/President of Prepped & Polished: Tutoring, College Counseling, Test Prep (formerly TUTORrific Academic Services). Alexis and his associates have over ten years of full-time tutoring, test prep, and admissions counseling experience, and have worked with well over 500 families.
Alexis Avila – Professional Experience:
Alexis is a private tutor, guidance counselor, and founder/president of Prepped & Polished: Tutoring, College Counseling, Test Prep
Now there is a third brother, Nick (right), who was not in any Ark company. A most playful Avila for sure!
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You can get the cd now at Amazon
Playful People – Ark – Holly Wortell
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They did not view the Ark as a place to be taught but came with the excitement of children at Christmas. They arrived with an expectation to play and experience in a carnival of creative possibility – that is really what Ark offered. Little did they know they were learning at the same time.
Time seems to separate us, one from the other, yet there is joy in spirit that is eternal. So, from time to time I want to share the workings and wanderings of some playful people who sailed for some years at the Ark Improvisational Theatre.
Holly Wortell is a longtime friend of Bonnie Hunt. She has been a regular on each of Hunt’s sitcoms (The Building, The Bonnie Hunt Show, and Life With Bonnie), all three times playing a vain, promiscuous character named “Holly”. In addition, she has had supporting or bit parts in several feature films in which Hunt has appeared (Beethoven, Beethoven’s 2nd, and Return to Me). Her non-Bonnie-related roles include guest spots on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage, and a national advertising campaign for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.
Wortell met Hunt in the mid-80′s Chicago improvisational comedy scene, where they formed a three woman comedy troupe called “An Impulsive Thing” with Joan Cusack. Wortell also joined the cast of The Second City mainstage in 1989 (the same year as Chris Farley and Tim Meadows), headlining for several seasons.
As of the fall of 2006, Holly is teaching improv classes at The Second City Los Angeles.
In the summer of 2008, she appeared in a series of teasers for Bonnie Hunt’s upcoming daytime talk show.
Outstanding Special Class Writing
for: “The Bonnie Hunt Show” (2008)
Shared with:
Steve O’Donnell (writer)
