Leading Brands , Monday, March 19, 2007
The Leading Brands recently performed their 1 year anniversary show in the Double Barrel. We asked the Brands about their past, their future, and their curious custom of giving away valuable prizes to audience members.DB: Your upcoming show on 3/16 marks your 1 year anniversary as a troupe. What are some favorite troupe memories of the past year?
LB: Some of our fondest memories were of our first rehearsals in Frank's barn. We were working on improv of course, but also on our group dynamic. It was a mix of suffering through winter rehearsals with little more than a space heater to keep us warm and then hanging out together afterwards and eating and drinking till late. In hindsite, we had some of those "we lived through that together" kind of experiences. Several of us also took a road trip together out to San Francisco for an intensive workshop with Keith Johnstone which was a great time to be a part of the troupe.
DB: What will the next year bring for the Leading Brands?
LB: We're hoping for a year of improved consistency and increased variety in our formats. We've had a string of strong shows recently so we're already on our way.
DB: You often give away the "leading brand" of some product to an audience member at each show. Name some of them. What was the most expensive?
We've given away everything from Easy Mac to Mexican gum to Toilet Paper and sometimes some more obscure items from other countries when members of the troupe have traveled recently. They don't cost a lot of money generally, but people appreciate them. We gave away giant water noodles once and we later saw the audience member awkwardly carrying it down sixth street. The most expensive was probably a bucket of Dos Equis that we bought on the quick because we had forgotten to pick something up beforehand.
DB: Describe a typical Leading Brands rehearsal.
The Leading Brands like to entertain. It's in our blood and when there's no audience - we entertain each other. We also tend to start or end with food. That's part of the deal and why we hire coaches to keep us on point and focus on our objectives rather than just making merry.
DB: If you could sum up The Leading Brands into a single slogan or philosophy, what would it be?
Hmmm..... The Leading Brands saved me 15% on my car insurance ??!!!
DB: What's the best part about being in the AIC (Austin Improv Collective)?
Well, shucks, all the nice people in this community... we're privileged to perform this art form with such fantastic peers who continue to grow and inspire us.
The Leading Brands performed in the Double Barrel on 3/16/2007.
Visit their website at http://www.theleadingbrands.com.
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