8: Kansas City Improv Festival

Tickets are on sale now!!!!

Call 816-460-2020

www.kcimprov.com/festival

What's in a name?

That was the question that many Kansas City Improvisers tried to answer. Click through the blog list on the right to see how important an improv troupes name is to them.

Parents should also think before they name their child, or at least sound it out a few times.

The 10 worst names ever:

1. John Koffman - His friends and enemies call him Jack
2. Sharonda Cox - It might be pronounced ShaRONda, but it sure looks like "sharin da" to me.
3. Justin Butts - Good luck with life Justin.
4. Harry Ball - Really, is this real? His parents are stupid.
5. Amanda Buttram - These are getting worse.
6. Richard Large - This is a good name right...why is it in the worst list?
7. Mai Butt - This one makes us laugh the longest.
8. Ben Dover - There is more than one, go ahead, google it.
9. Gayford Buttram - Must be Amanda's brother.
10. Michael Huntsucker - Last and certainly not least, pray he doesn't go by Mike.

Improv Thunderdome: Season 2: Round 1 Winner

STD's (Some Technical Difficulties)


This band of youngsters from the infamous Exit 16 Liberty High School improv troupe kicked ass Saturday night and are headed to the championships on September 27th.


Congrats STD's!


The man in white is their director, Exit 16 alumnus Andrew Brant. Fresh from Improv Rebellion at Improv Olympic in Chicago.

A History: Full Frontal Comedy

Straight from their website:


When did all this craziness start?

In the fall of 1998. Our director and owner, Tina Morrison, was supposed to direct "The Marriage of Bette and Boo" for the Northland Actors Ensemble (NAE). Some stuff happened and the show didn't, but NAE still had dates to fill on the calendar. Tina took those in the cast willing to learn improv and, based on her 7 years of improv with the groups Laughing Stock and Caught In The Act, she started our group to fill those spots. The group has been performing ever since.


Were you drinking when you came up with your name?

The short answer is: Yes.

Now for the long answer. Some of the original members of the group met over some beers at 54th Street Bar & Grill. They'd already begun rehearsals for the NAE show but needed a name. Stasha Case thought (and still does to this day) that the group should be called "Show Me The Funny". She shouted it out repeatedly during the evening, which failed to amuse our fearless leader, Tina. Hence, it is not our name today.

Luckily, Bill Case came up with Full Frontal Comedy. The stars aligned and the children sang and people around the world settled long standing disputes in celebration. Well, maybe. In all actuality, the group probably just ordered another round of beer and each scarfed down a Baja Biggie Basket. For those taking notes, this is the official food of all FFC members except Dave Martin. He prefers the Hearty 12 oz. Bowl of Idaho Baked Potato Soup (order it by name.)

8: Kansas City Improv Festival: Updates

****Line-ups have been announced for the local weekend, but first, a recap:

Last year, standing-room-only crowds watched as Saturday Night Live standout Jason Sudeikis, Emmy Award-winning 30 Rock writer Kay Cannon and comedians from Chicago, LA and NYC improvised their way through a hilarious weekend of shows.

This fall, KCiF returns to the H&R Block City Stage with nationally acclaimed acts and local favorites.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 & 6 FEATURES PERFORMANCES BY:
Der Monkenpickel (LA/Chicago/NYC) with Jason Sudeikis
Brother Love’s Travelin’ Salvation Show (LA/Chicago/NYC/KC) with Kay Cannon
Jill Bernard’s Drum Machine (Minneapolis)
Monkey 13 and the Masked Menace (Ann Arbor)

Tickets $15-20. Call 816-460-2020 beginning July 14.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 12 FEATURES PERFORMANCES BY:
Loaded Dice: Thunderdome Season 1 Champions
CounterClockwise Comedy: Coming at you from a different direction
Roving Imp: Bringing the funny from Bonner Springs
Tantrum: It's fun to misbehave

Tickets $10-15. Call 816-460-2020 beginning July 14.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 FEATURES PERFORMANCES BY:
Improv-Abilities: Fresh from the Chicago Improv Festival
Full Frontal Comedy: Flashing their comedy since 1998
Scriptease: They've got the funny, and they know how to use it.
The Trip Fives: Improv comedy. No limits.

Tickets $10-15. Call 816-460-2020 beginning July 14.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 14 FEATURES PERFORMANCES BY:
ComedyCity: Schticking together since 1987
Exit 16: Liberty High School's acclaimed comedy troupe
Hypothetical 7: Comedy from KU
Makeshift Militia: This UMKC troupe ain't nothing to mess with

Tickets $10-15. Call 816-460-2020 beginning July 14.

PRESENTED BY IMPROV-ABILITIES
http://kcimprov.com/festival

****Workshop Updates Soon!

Corey Rittmaster and Jason Sudeikis of Der Monkenpickle at 7: KCiF

Full Frontal Comedy Had Auditions

This is a note from Full Frontal Comedy emailed to us:

We had auditions Saturday and it was wonderful and difficult, all at the same time. Wonderful because we had so many talented people eager to be part of the group, and difficult because we couldn't use them all and had to make some touch choices.

After hours and hours of deliberation, the Fall 2008 Cast of Full Frontal Comedy is:





Bill Case
Paul DeMerchant
Joyce Halford
Kate Haugan
James Hilburn
Dan Hillaker
Carolyn Lay
Christina Schafer Martin
Dave Martin
Danielle Metz
Joel Morrison
Tina Morrison
Kyle Mowry
Ryan Seymour
Shelly Stewart
Reed Uthe
Jeff Wilson

Thank you so much to everyone who was interested!

Those are some talented people, make sure to check their website for shows and other info.

How to join an improv group in Kansas City

Honestly, this is very hard to do. The only groups that hold auditions that are open to the public are Full Frontal Comedy, Comedy City, and Roving Imp. From what we hear, most of the other groups are not auditioning for awhile. Makeshift Militia typically only auditions UMKC students, but who knows, contact them, and let us know what you find out.

Here is a lovely list on how to join an improv group in Kansas City.

1. Audition for one of the aforementioned groups.
2. Go see shows--This will help you figure out who you like, what style you like, who you think you will blend with, who has the hottest guys/girls, etc...
3. Talk to the improvisers after the show--Especially at the bar, they will open up with more happy juice.
4. Take as many improv workshops as you can find. The community is well connected. If you take a workshop, your name will spread, especially if you are putting forth the effort to get to know people.
5. Continue to read this blog.
6. Join the forums on City3.org.
7. Start your own group--This is definitely how most groups are started here in Kansas City