Spontaneous Broadway: Difference between revisions
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'''Spontaneous Broadway''' is an advanced long-form [[improvisational theatre|improvised]] performance, |
'''Spontaneous Broadway''' is an advanced long-form [[improvisational theatre|improvised]] performance, based on audience suggestions. The audience typically submits titles of songs that have never been written, and the performers choose suggestions to create songs, the audience votes through acclamation on their favorite song, which is then used as the core of a brand new [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Training to Imagine: Practical Improvisational Theatre Techniques to Enhance Creativity, Teamwork, Leadership and Learning|last=Koppett|first=Kat|publisher=Stylus Publishing, Inc|year=2001|location=Sterling, VA}}</ref> |
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The format received a favorable review from The New York Times when it premiered in New York in 1995.<ref> |
The format received a favorable review from The ''[[New York Times]]'' when it premiered in [[New York City|New York]] in 1995.<ref>{{cite news| title=IN PERFORMANCE: THEATER |last=Van Gelder |first=Lawrence |date=1995-03-08 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/08/theater/in-performance-theater-278395.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=2016-05-23}}</ref> |
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Though not required or necessarily encouraged by improv professionals, elements of |
Though not required or necessarily encouraged by improv professionals, elements of humor inevitably surface in the performance because of the surprising and playful nature of improvisation and its use of typical Broadway stereotypes. The performers' songs are supported by an onstage musician or band that improvises the music, generally in the style of typical show tunes. |
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The format was created in New York City at Freestyle Repertory Theatre and has been performed by a number of different companies around the [[United States|US]]. Currently, it is performed by BATS theatre in [[San Francisco]], The Mop & Bucket Co. in [[Schenectady, New York|Schenectady NY]], and at several colleges around the country, including [[Stanford University|Stanford]]. |
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The format was presented in a series of performances in February 2008 at the Upstairs At 440 theatre, part of the Proctors Theatre in Schenectady NY, and was brought back by popular demand in September 2008 to the same venue. |
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The Spontaneous Broadway format was created by Kat Koppett in association with Freestyle Repertory Theatre in New York. Koppett is a 25-year improv veteran, having worked with Freestyle Repertory Theatre) and San Francisco's [[BATS Improv]]. She is currently co-director of the Mop & Bucket Company, an improv troupe based in the [[Capital District, New York|Capital District]] of [[New York (state)|New York]] State.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mopco.org/ |title=Home |website=mopco.org}}</ref> Koppett also runs a consulting business, appropriately named Koppett. In 1995, [[TheaterWeek]] Magazine named Kat one of the year's "Unsung Heroes" for her creation of Spontaneous Broadway, which is now performed regularly by teams of actors all over the world. Significant contributions to the development of the format at Freestyle Rep. were made by Kenn Adams, Laura Livingston, and Samuel D. Cohen. |
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The Spontaneous Broadway format was created by [[Kat Koppett]] in association with [[Freestyle Repertory Theatre]] in New York. |
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Koppett is a 20-year improv veteran, having worked with Freestyle Repertory Theatre) and San Francisco's [[BATS Improv]]. She is currently a performer with and Training director for the Mop & Bucket Company, an improv troupe based in the Capital District of New York State.<ref>http://www.mopco.org/</ref> |
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At the 2000 [[Melbourne Fringe Festival]], the show began its life in [[Australia]] and immediately won a special Fringe Award. Produced by musical director John Thorn (who secured the Australian licence from Kat Koppett) and hosted by Russell Fletcher, many of Australia's finest comic improvisors have since performed the show around the country, including sell-out performances at the [[Sydney Opera House]], [[Spiegeltent#The Famous Spiegeltent|The Famous Spiegeltent]], and at the [[Melbourne International Comedy Festival]], receiving rave reviews and legions of repeat attendee fans. |
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In 1995, TheaterWeek Magazine named Kat one of the year's "Unsung Heroes" for her creation of Spontaneous Broadway, which is now performed regularly by teams of actors all over the world. |
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In addition to performing, Kat is a well known corporate trainer who specializes in the use of improvisation and storytelling to enhance workplace effectiveness. Her book ''Training to Imagine: Practical Improvisational Theatre Techniques to Enhance Creativity, Teamwork, Leadership and Learning'' was published in 2001 by Stylus Publishing, Inc. |
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==Sources== |
==Sources== |
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* |
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* {{Cite book |last=Koppett |first=Kat |title=Training to Imagine: Practical Improvisational Theatre Techniques to Enhance Creativity, Teamwork, Leadership and Learning |location=Sterling, VA |year=2001 |publisher=Stylus Publishing, Inc}} |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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[[Category:Improvisational theatre]] |
[[Category:Improvisational theatre]] |
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[[Category:Broadway]] |
[[Category:Broadway theatre]] |
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Latest revision as of 10:33, 8 August 2022
Spontaneous Broadway is an advanced long-form improvised performance, based on audience suggestions. The audience typically submits titles of songs that have never been written, and the performers choose suggestions to create songs, the audience votes through acclamation on their favorite song, which is then used as the core of a brand new Broadway musical.[1]
The format received a favorable review from The New York Times when it premiered in New York in 1995.[2]
Though not required or necessarily encouraged by improv professionals, elements of humor inevitably surface in the performance because of the surprising and playful nature of improvisation and its use of typical Broadway stereotypes. The performers' songs are supported by an onstage musician or band that improvises the music, generally in the style of typical show tunes.
The format was created in New York City at Freestyle Repertory Theatre and has been performed by a number of different companies around the US. Currently, it is performed by BATS theatre in San Francisco, The Mop & Bucket Co. in Schenectady NY, and at several colleges around the country, including Stanford.
The Spontaneous Broadway format was created by Kat Koppett in association with Freestyle Repertory Theatre in New York. Koppett is a 25-year improv veteran, having worked with Freestyle Repertory Theatre) and San Francisco's BATS Improv. She is currently co-director of the Mop & Bucket Company, an improv troupe based in the Capital District of New York State.[3] Koppett also runs a consulting business, appropriately named Koppett. In 1995, TheaterWeek Magazine named Kat one of the year's "Unsung Heroes" for her creation of Spontaneous Broadway, which is now performed regularly by teams of actors all over the world. Significant contributions to the development of the format at Freestyle Rep. were made by Kenn Adams, Laura Livingston, and Samuel D. Cohen.
At the 2000 Melbourne Fringe Festival, the show began its life in Australia and immediately won a special Fringe Award. Produced by musical director John Thorn (who secured the Australian licence from Kat Koppett) and hosted by Russell Fletcher, many of Australia's finest comic improvisors have since performed the show around the country, including sell-out performances at the Sydney Opera House, The Famous Spiegeltent, and at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, receiving rave reviews and legions of repeat attendee fans.
Sources
[edit]- ^ Koppett, Kat (2001). Training to Imagine: Practical Improvisational Theatre Techniques to Enhance Creativity, Teamwork, Leadership and Learning. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, Inc.
- ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence (1995-03-08). "IN PERFORMANCE: THEATER". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
- ^ "Home". mopco.org.