Improvisation

I'm working on getting an improvisation group together.

Improv is a fabulous thing for an actor to do to get in touch with himself. It's invaluable, in fact.

As I'm writing this I'm sitting in the Hideout theatre's coffee shop. The Hideout's probably one of the better improv workshop/groups in Austin, although I confess I don't know all of them.

My main aim is to do more "dangerous" improv than is generally done, though. Although I'm keen on comedy, obviously, I really like to explore aspects of character that are deeper and darker and more uncomfortable. Not entirely sure why - it's just what I like to do. Lighter, comedic improv has its place, of course, and I'm not knocking it. I enjoy it immensely. But as an older actor I really want to delve deeper into character.

At some point I want to make films based on improvised work, something along the lines of Mike Leigh. I auditioned for Leigh once, many years ago, and oddly the audition didn't go at all well. It was as though I lost something, or wasn't able to make a connection with him, which is a shame as I'm absolutely convinced improv is a big strength of mine, and I can do a lot with improv and film - not "improvised film" as such - but film using plot and character devised and developed during the improv process.

I hope to get some meetings and workshops going soon.