WIT NEWS ITEM | 2007 Chicago Improv Festival Report

Jackie members break outside St. Alphonsus during lunch at the Chicago Improv Festival.

JACKIE AT THE CHICAGO IMPROV FESTIVAL

POSTED 5.8.07

WIT's Jackie ventured to Chicago a couple weeks ago for the Chicago Improv Festival, one of the oldest and most prestigious improv festivals around. Word is that Jackie liked the festival and the festival liked Jackie.

CIF dramatically decreased the number of shows this year, making the festival even more selective than previous years. Jackie appeared as part of CIF's new "Apprentice Team" program, which gave the troupe the chance to practice with a Chicago coach for two days in preparation for a 20-minute set Saturday night.


Not a typo, sadly. The scene of Jackie's victorious program of comedy entertainment.


Jackie was thrilled to learn that its coach was none other than Annoyance Theater co-founder and general improv luminary Joe Bill, who has a reputation as one of the best improv coaches in the country.


Zack sucks up to Joe Bill.


"I remember first seeing Joe Bill as the guest monologist for an Upright Citizens Brigade show in New York a few years ago," Jackie member Zack Phillips said. "Amy Poehler introduced him as 'a guy who taught us a lot of what we know.' So to have the chance to work with a coach like that-a guy who has been teaching and coaching some of the best improvisors around for decades-was a really, really awesome opportunity."


Rich Nyman disappoints his friends and family.


As part of the program, Joe Bill coached Jackie through several extended practices over the course of two days leading up to the Saturday night show. Members say the work they put in and the coaching they received was invaluable.

"The fact that we got to work as a group the whole time was great," said Joe Uchno. "If you needed an individual note, you got it, but mostly it was about how to make Jackie a better troupe."

"Joe had a tremendous understanding of how we worked as a group," added Jason Saenz. "And through several on-point exercises, we were able to raise our level of rehearsal and performance together. It was an incredible experience."


Jason and Patrick. Boys, this is frickin' adorable.


And the show on Saturday night, in which the troupe used a new style of editing that they had learned in Chicago that week, went very well.

"We were trying out some new things mechanics-wise and I thought the show was good in that respect," Rich Nyman recalled. "I was impressed with the troupe's ability to pick up a new idea and just start running fast with it."

Jackie will be back on stage in DC as the anchor of WIT's summer run, beginning in June.



Where's the effing convenience store?



The Jackie boys attempt to repair the light fixture damaged by practicing "shoe golf" putting indoors. FOR SHAME.



Rich: I think there is chocolate in Reese's Pieces. Molly: You are wrong. Above: Justice is served.