u/bathrobeman

Former improv tech here but I've been out of the tech game since the pandemic, now just a producer putting up a show in a fairly tech-lite theater. The short version of my question is: I have a bunch of sound effects & music stings I'd love to be able to interject during our show as I or whoever else is teching sees fit. How would you set this up for yourself and/or how would you set this up for someone else to run? I won't be at all shows so I'd like something easy to hand off ideally.

(I have a few thoughts which I'll share as a comment, but don't want to bias anyone or preclude other ideas)

I'm curious - have folks seen a show that had a particularly interesting or engaging pre-show setup? Something to fill the time and space between an audience member entering the building and the show starting?

I produce a few highly themed shows, and I'd love to get the audience engaged in the world of the show even before it starts. I'm curious if anyone here has done or seen anything they particularly enjoyed? What made it engaging or enjoyable?

It was an absolute blast having DCM* back in New York this year. There was so much to see and do; I'm curious what other people saw and enjoyed! For sake of discussion, what were your favorite:

1. Short shows (the 25 minute or less blocks)

2. Long shows (hour long blocks and headliners)

3. Non-show moments (workshops, interactions in the lobby, hangout space, outside, etc)

*DCM is the Del Close Marathon, a massive improv festival hosted by the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater. This was the first time it happened since the pandemic.

Let's say you're doing a scene and it's a fine scene maybe not the best scene, but then someone else, probably out of nerves, panics and throws away the whole reality and relationship that you've established in an effort to get a laugh or "save" the scene. Things like "you've been dreaming!" or "aaaand cut!" or "I don't wanna play make believe anymore"

Had this happen the other day to a scene and it feels like the rug being pulled out from under you. I wish I had handled it more smoothly - what have you found that works and is supportive of the scene, the show, and most importantly, that newer improviser who was likely acting out of anxiety and not trying to be a jerk?