For 13 years, this group has been in a funny mood
By TRAVIS SEMMES
Sentinel staff writer
Don’t tell jokes — that’s the first rule of improv.
It can ruin the performance, said Todd Phillips, one of eight members of the local improv troupe, Um...Gee...Um.
When the group plays the Louden Nelson Center on Saturday night, they’ll rely on their 13 years of improv experience — instead of jokes — to make you laugh.
We spoke with Phillips about the principles of improv and the life lessons it can teach you.
What has to happen for you guys to put on a good show?
Todd Phillips: A lot of it’s openness and listening — really listening.
It’s just being open to them, listening to them, taking what they take, adding to it and allowing yourself to be creative and be present. It has more to do with presence than anything else.
We don’t get up there and tell jokes. We call that gagging. Instead, we’re creating relationships up there.
That whole dynamic becomes humorous. It’s becomes one of those "you had to be there" moments.
Does Um...Gee...Um teach classes as well?
Phillips: We teach beginning, intermediate and advanced improv classes. We start at the beginning and teach the principles of improv.
We play fun, silly games and free ourselves up from the judgment we have.
Out motto is: "allowing the creative spirit to run wild."
What are some of the principles of the game?
Phillips: One of them is to say, "Yes, and ..." Another is, "The offer is the best offer."
That means if somebody walks up and says that’s a wonderful green purse, and you say, "Ah, the sky is blue," then you’ve totally ignored their offer.
You’re to stay with the offer and work with the other person. "Make your partner look good," is one of the fundamental principles — it’s a team effort.
Another one of the principles is, "Enter the danger." It means be bold, jump up and enter a scene. You don’t want to just sit there. It’s not about you.
What level of participation can the audience expect Saturday night?
Phillips: We always try to get the audience up on stage. The scene may revolve around them even though their role is very safe.
We also get a lot of suggestions from the audience.
How did the troupe get started?
Phillips: We started at Cafe Chameleon on Front Street 13 years ago, with some people in Wilma Marcus Chandler’s improv class. She just retired from Cabrillo College recently.
It just grew from there. We’ve done shows elsewhere, but our home is definitely in Santa Cruz.
We’re allied with Actor’s Theatre and used to perform weekly.
About four years ago, Um...Gee...Um almost died, but it was reborn instead. Now we don’t perform as regularly, so it’s more of an event.
In the last year we’ve taken some time off from performing to work on our skills.
What’s different about an anniversary show?
Phillips: We invite past members to come play with us. It’s really fun to have other people bring energy to the stage. You don’t know what they’re capable of.
What do you think of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" on Comedy Central?
Phillips: I will say they’re incredibly talented and (the show) is fun.
But I will also say that what they do is called "showcasing." For instance, if they have someone who’s a good singer, they have them sing every time.
If you’re really good at something, we at Um...Gee...Um say you can’t do that any more. If your character is big and bold, we’ll ask you to do a background character.
I think their show is really entertaining, and I think it’s great that improv is really growing — I mean, it’s on network TV. I don’t want to get down on those guys, they’re really talented.
Any advice for younger people out there considering a career in improv?
Phillips: I think the basic skills of improv are the basic skills of life, and many of the mistakes of improv are the mistakes of life.
I think one of the reasons people go see improv is that it’s so great to see people up on stage agreeing with one another.
I’d say (to the beginner) get a troupe, do some shows, do some parties.
Improv has really helped me to come from a place of creating instead of controlling. It’s about paying attention to that other person, being in your body.
When you get to that point, doing improv becomes effortless.
Sentinel staff writer
Don’t tell jokes — that’s the first rule of improv.
It can ruin the performance, said Todd Phillips, one of eight members of the local improv troupe, Um...Gee...Um.
When the group plays the Louden Nelson Center on Saturday night, they’ll rely on their 13 years of improv experience — instead of jokes — to make you laugh.
We spoke with Phillips about the principles of improv and the life lessons it can teach you.
What has to happen for you guys to put on a good show?
Todd Phillips: A lot of it’s openness and listening — really listening.
It’s just being open to them, listening to them, taking what they take, adding to it and allowing yourself to be creative and be present. It has more to do with presence than anything else.
We don’t get up there and tell jokes. We call that gagging. Instead, we’re creating relationships up there.
That whole dynamic becomes humorous. It’s becomes one of those "you had to be there" moments.
Does Um...Gee...Um teach classes as well?
Phillips: We teach beginning, intermediate and advanced improv classes. We start at the beginning and teach the principles of improv.
We play fun, silly games and free ourselves up from the judgment we have.
Out motto is: "allowing the creative spirit to run wild."
What are some of the principles of the game?
Phillips: One of them is to say, "Yes, and ..." Another is, "The offer is the best offer."
That means if somebody walks up and says that’s a wonderful green purse, and you say, "Ah, the sky is blue," then you’ve totally ignored their offer.
You’re to stay with the offer and work with the other person. "Make your partner look good," is one of the fundamental principles — it’s a team effort.
Another one of the principles is, "Enter the danger." It means be bold, jump up and enter a scene. You don’t want to just sit there. It’s not about you.
What level of participation can the audience expect Saturday night?
Phillips: We always try to get the audience up on stage. The scene may revolve around them even though their role is very safe.
We also get a lot of suggestions from the audience.
How did the troupe get started?
Phillips: We started at Cafe Chameleon on Front Street 13 years ago, with some people in Wilma Marcus Chandler’s improv class. She just retired from Cabrillo College recently.
It just grew from there. We’ve done shows elsewhere, but our home is definitely in Santa Cruz.
We’re allied with Actor’s Theatre and used to perform weekly.
About four years ago, Um...Gee...Um almost died, but it was reborn instead. Now we don’t perform as regularly, so it’s more of an event.
In the last year we’ve taken some time off from performing to work on our skills.
What’s different about an anniversary show?
Phillips: We invite past members to come play with us. It’s really fun to have other people bring energy to the stage. You don’t know what they’re capable of.
What do you think of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" on Comedy Central?
Phillips: I will say they’re incredibly talented and (the show) is fun.
But I will also say that what they do is called "showcasing." For instance, if they have someone who’s a good singer, they have them sing every time.
If you’re really good at something, we at Um...Gee...Um say you can’t do that any more. If your character is big and bold, we’ll ask you to do a background character.
I think their show is really entertaining, and I think it’s great that improv is really growing — I mean, it’s on network TV. I don’t want to get down on those guys, they’re really talented.
Any advice for younger people out there considering a career in improv?
Phillips: I think the basic skills of improv are the basic skills of life, and many of the mistakes of improv are the mistakes of life.
I think one of the reasons people go see improv is that it’s so great to see people up on stage agreeing with one another.
I’d say (to the beginner) get a troupe, do some shows, do some parties.
Improv has really helped me to come from a place of creating instead of controlling. It’s about paying attention to that other person, being in your body.
When you get to that point, doing improv becomes effortless.