The Knuckleball Now , Monday, April 02, 2007
One of the qualities that makes improv so unique is the absolute joy that both players and audience members can experience while witnessing the act of creation, live on stage. No troupe embodies that sense of play and discovery better than the Knuckleball Now. We asked Craig Kotfas of TKN a few questions about their process, their outlook, and baseball.DB: The Knuckleball Now has a reputation for being one of the most playful troupes in Austin. Why do you think that is and was it intentional?
CK of TKN: Absolutely Donkey... TKN is our 3 initials, our mantra is also three letters "F-U-N", and I feel that comes across. We are guys just having fun. "Lets have FUN." We are like little children playing "pretend" in the backyard, only difference is that people payed $7-10 to watch. I feel although I am on stage, I too am an audience member, but with a really sweet view. The usual "flowy" format (to be discussed shortly) allows us to just bounce off each other like as if the ritalin has worn off... Fun Fun Fun, till the light person fades to black.
DB: TKN seems to always perform, and excel at a montagy/flowy donut type of show. Will you ever switch it up, or do you intentionally keep it loose?
CK of TKN: Ah, I saw this coming. To tell you the truth, before every show we stand on the breezeway, and discuss what format we will do and it usually comes back to "Whatever, let's just improvise." Meaning, if we discover a story and characters and want to continue with them, we will. Joplin and I were just flowing one night, and we ended doing a Shakespeare longform for two thirds of the show, unplanned. So it's a mapless journey we take. To some improvisers this may seem as an easy way out, thinking "wheres the challenge?"... The challenge is having a fun ride for 25-45 minutes and letting the audience sit shotgun.
Actually, the format that The Knuckleball Now does is what I call "Peak and Pop". Whenever we have a special guest playing with us (thanks to those who have, and those who will one day)... I simple tell them "Peak and Pop". This basically means the first few scenes are short and energetic... we go in and do a scene that peaks quickly and then "POP" into another one. This establishes a tempo, gets the crowd's attention, and builds a bank for the "2nd half callbacks". Though our scenes are random, elements start to carry over, and by the homestretch of the show, the audience is seeing the show, "re-flash" before their eyes through an onslaught of Callbacks recapping what we discussed.
There are many different forms of improv... The Frank Mills have won respect and awards playing a realistic slice of life, based on characters and relationships, the real meat of story telling... we try to put those ingredients into a blender and hit puree. Our product may not appeal to all, but that is fine with us. IT does appeal to some, and as long as we 3 (sometimes 2, sometimes 4, sometimes 1 + guest) are among them, I go home happy..
But the most important tool of TKN besides our playful nature, is the ability to make you think. Whether it's about society, politics, cultural observations, or commentary on life (as well as the show). We find ways to make each other, as well as the audience, go "wow, I never thought of it that way." Personally, I think David Modigliani's Ivy league education and fresh mind plays a part, Michael Joplin being as SMART and "hard core" as they come, and Mikey D'Alonzo (when in earshot) is a Fort Knox Wealth of useful knowledge and fun.... I feel 3 or 4 players is optimal for great improv. But the strange thing is that we really like proving with each other, even though the only time we see each other is 30 minutes before the show and the show itself. We haven't rehearsed in years. We each have our own lives and schedules, and TKN almost becomes the "Guys Night Out." An improv therapy session if you will. And to me our chemistry is stronger than most projects I've done. I hope our occasional shows leave the audience wanting more TKN... like a special morsel of improv.
DB: What other improv in town do you enjoy watching?
CK of TKN: I don't know about the others in TKN, but I almost find it hard to watch improv... if things aren't gelling, I feel the pain and want to hide, but if its rocking, I can't bear sitting down and not jumping up there. The improv I enjoy watching is people having fun. I love all who prov, but there was a night I ran lights recently, "Junk" (old foolish mortals) cracked me up, "GET-UP" re-amazed me, the "Bearded Lamb", and the "Available Cupholders" are so sweet that diabetics need to be aware! "P-graph" have the "fun" element that draws me as well. And every time I turn around there are "improv atoms" forming new sweet and inspiring molecules. I can go on and on about the troupes not listed here... so many!
DB: What does the next year hold for The Knuckleball Now?
CK of TKN: We plan to do our occasional shows as usual. Hopefully head out to OOB West...(hint hint Mikey)... OOB 6 here.. and maybe update the site one day... as for real TKN plans..."Whatever, let'ss just improvise!"
DB: Ichiro: overrated, or proof that the Japanese can deconstruct anything we do and figure out how to do it better?
CK of TKN: Ichiro, is a sweet slap hitter, free agent to be, who dethroned George Sissler in hits for a single season. He's currently in the American League, I am Cubs fan in the National League, and since the Cubs haven't been to the world series since 1945, I will deal with the American League when we cross that bridge. Go Cubs. What is Japanese?
The Knuckleball Now performed in the Double Barrel in March.
1 Comments:
I go home happy after TKN shows! And Craigy, thanks for the props to Get Up. It's good being your pal. Premiere donut makers in Austin.
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