EXiT 185 Improv Comedy

Ken Ferguson & Stacey Reed Hanlon share the Herberger Stage.

A recent article shared by Derek Neighbors of Gangplank got me to thinking about my current progress towards the dream of having my own small black box type theatre.  Having been involved with producing shows in a historic theatre that was restored but not necessarily for theatre (another story altogether) I started to question as to the “why” I think it would be a success in my own little community of Casa Grande. 

Of course, this could be applied to any small town with little to no performing arts activity being offered on a consistent basis.

Although I live in Casa Grande I have worked in the Phoenix Metro Area for the past 6 years.  I have been to and driven by numerous newly constructed performing arts centers in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek.  Most of the time my thought is “this is too big” which is really my own assessment as to what I need vs. what that particular community needs.  However, it does seem pretty odd that in those particular locations it may be just that.

Using Chandler’s performing arts center as an example, and oh, by the way, this is simply my opinion and I am certainly prepared to be proven wrong, I never got the sense that it is actually cultivating local artists, which is really a shame. 

I understand the financial draw of a nationally known act being scheduled for a run but the balance doesn’t appear to be there to grow local artists. I’m sure this can be applied to many places and is not intended to call out a particular venue. 

Why is that my perception?  I think that organizations focus too much on funding to build structures and bring acts in and not the education and performance opportunity for local talent. 

There are exceptions to this of course.  Valley Youth Theatre has built a solid reputation for cultivating young talent; Space 55 Theatre Ensemble continues to bring original works, often developed in house and The Torch Theatre has been cultivating long form improvisation for the past few years and opening their own space this summer.

Another article shared by Carrie Vargas and written by Lauren Gunderson defines theater as a simple system:

Actor + Audience + Story = Theater. 

There is nothing else like that live experience, nothing. 

I love the internet and what it provides as far as connecting and information; social media fascinates me but nothing does it more for me than that connection made between actors and audience in a live performance. 

Here is a sad truth, at least in my mind. 

Those organizations that build beautiful new spaces, get or have access to funding are run by people that somehow forgot, never knew or have complicated that simple system: Actor + Audience + Story = Theater. 

I have had tremendous anxiety and frustration with the “powers that be” regarding that formula.  It always gets skewed and twisted and overridden because some egg head accountant type says “this doesn’t wash” or whatever jerky summation they have that says “you can’t do this”. 

Well, I am here to say, if I believe in that simple system then nothing should stand in the way of cultivating the arts in my community, with quality and integrity as critical ingredients. 

I love to work with the actor, helping them get to that place that transforms them, even on the smallest scale.  When the light bulbs come on I get rewarded.  When someone says “I never thought I could do this” and then they do, that is what drives me.  I love to connect as an actor, to challenge myself to see stories and characters from a different perspective. 

I believe that regular everyday people have the right to exercise their creative muscles on a regular basis.  Not to be satisfied with the occasional small part in the annual Christmas Play but to grow and to stretch those muscles; this brings life to so many other areas of our community. 

With the launch of BlackBox Productions, LLC my partner JJ Freyermuth and I hope to build on those ideas. 

What drives you?

What a journey this has been.  From trying to offer a kid’s improv class 4 years ago through parks and recreation, to taking days off from work to teach middle school drama students, workshops offered at the Paramount, then classes, etc.

It has been a wonderful experience but like many worthwhile endeavors it has been rough going at times.

Over a year ago my classes reached a height that demanded the formation of an improv troupe.

EXiT 185 Improv Comedy Troupe’s name stems from a couple things.

1.  I have had a comedy central sketch show in my memory from many years ago called “EXIT 57″.  Turns out years later I discovered that some of the cast and the director would be improvisors that I would admire and respect.

2.  Having so many talented friends who volunteered in nearly every case to come down and perform over the last few years I was constantly giving directions from Phoenix and repeatedly gave directions to take “Exit 185″.

That is how the name came to be. It wasn’t until afterwords that I was reminded that there is a short form improv comedy game called “185″.  It is more of a warm up and quick thinking, jokey game…e.g. 185 doctors walk in a bar and ask for a glass of water. The bartender says “we don’t have any water” and the 185 doctors says “that’s okay, we don’t believe in giving anything away for free either”….ba da bing…rim shot and thank you Cleveland.

Having performed for a number of years it has been difficult to simply direct the troupe.  After performing in the Phoenix Improv Festival at the Herberger West Stage I knew that it was time to start thinking of new directions.

At the same time some of the troupe members were going through different life events and losing interest in improv.  Sometimes that happens, people go through cycles.  So we lost a few players.

In an effort to re-invigorate our troupe I started sharing some of the directing duties with cast members and joining the players on stage.  What a blast that has been.  I never intended to be solely in control of all directing but it just took time to get there.  Starting with virtually brand new improvisors (except for Stacey Seaman) I felt it necessary to stay in that role until the right time.

Well, now is the time.  The core of EXiT 185 are improvisors who have stuck with me for 1 to 3 years and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Now I am performing more regularly with EXiT 185 Improv Comedy, Valley Fever Improv, and The Remainders….whew.  That doesn’t count all the various one off shows I do when I can with friends.

Two weeks ago we held our very first open auditions for the troupe and what a treat that has been.  It is a new process and I still have a lot to learn BUT we have 6 new players who have started to practice with us.

My goal is to continue to keep things fresh and will invite respected friends to workshop with the troupe and keep bringing their own unique take on improv as an art form.

EXiT 185 exists and yet it is a place I will always be on my way too.  It is a great journey and I am glad to be on it.

Once again EXiT 185 Improv Comedy hits the stage at Heritage Hall.