Posts Tagged ‘armando diaz’
The latest round of The Circuit has arrived and we are pleased to announce that we are currently taking submissions until Friday, May 3rd. If you have completed level 3 of Magnet’s Training Program, you are eligible to apply!
Your name will be entered into a lottery and if selected, you will be placed on a team of 8 with one of our assigned coaches. You will rehearse with your team once a week, with rotating performances on Friday nights at 10pm at Magnet’s Training Center Theater.
To apply, just fill out this application!
Team announcements will be made Wednesday, May 8th with shows beginning Friday, May 17th.
The Circuit is a great way to gain experience performing and practicing with an improv team. We highly encourage you to apply!
Thank you and we are looking forward to an exciting new season of the Circuit!
“Round Trip” is the newest installment of The Director Series, a 4-week series of performances wherein a Director selects a cast and presents a different form. This month Armando Diaz is directing “Round Trip.” We conducted an interview with Armando via email to talk about the show.
What is Round Trip?
The Round Trip is an original form that tells the story of a cast of characters through a series of mono-scenes. The show begins with the suggestion of a location for which the first mono-scene will take place. In that location we meet the characters in the story and discover what the story is about. After the first mono-scene ends the cast improvises a second mono-scene in a different location featuring all the same characters. And finally we see the characters back in the first location for a final mono-scene and this is where all the storylines resolve. In short, the Round Trip is like an improvised one-act play.
Why did you choose to direct it?
Megan told me I had to direct something for the Director Series show. I had no choice in the matter.
What makes a great scene?
The truth! As much as it is good to know the mechanics of improv at the end of the day what makes us laugh is when improvisers find truth in their work. You can be technically perfect in a scene but if it doesn’t find the truth it just won’t be that funny.
No.
I hope it becomes more courageous and less, “edgy”.
The last performance of Round Trip takes place on Thursday, February 28th at 10pm. For more information, CLICK HERE!
The most recent Magnet Town Hall meeting took place Thursday, Jan. 31st at 6:30. If you weren’t there, here is a quick recap of what was covered!
Rick Andrews, Head of Promotions, spoke about the many new graphics around the theater- all to the thanks of Carly Monardo, Adam Hawkins, Nolan Constantino & Dennis Pacheco. These four have used their talents to create great show posters, stickers & t-shirts! We’re going to be updating our Newsletter very soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that! We’re also going to be launching a street team! If you’re interested in applying, please email schooldirector@magnettheater.com. Also, if you have any questions about booking the Magnet for a Corporate show or anything else Magnet Tour Co. related, email Rick at rick@magnettheater.com.
Michael Martin, Director of The Musical Improv program spoke about the development of the program. There are a few curriculum changes that will be going into effect in the next few months. For more in depth information, be sure to check out The Musical Improv Town Hall, this Saturday (Feb. 2nd) at 11pm at The Magnet Training Center.
Kim Ferguson, The Magnet School Director, spoke about The Magnet Training Center. The Training Center had a great 2012! The Magnet has been able to add more specific classes, we’ve added Hip Hop Improv, Teen Improv (run by Elana Fishbein), more workshops & more advanced studies! In 2012 the Magnet was able to offer special classes with Jeff Hiller, Kevin McDonald, Dave Razowsky, Christina Gausas and many more. Congrats to new Magnet teachers, Nick Kanellis (Improv Level 1), Chet Siegel (Improv Level 1), Elana Fishbein (Teen Improv) and Melanie Hoopes (Intro to Solo Performance). Many congrats! Thanks to Sean Taylor for his incredible work with The Magnet Drop-In Program, be sure to check out the improv, sketch or musical improv Drop-In’s! A special thanks goes to Kyle Levenick, The Training Center Night Manager, who has spearheaded the improvements and upkeep of The Magnet Training Center.
Megan Gray, The Magnet Artistic Director, spoke about getting involved in the theater. If you’re interested in applying for a written show, that’s a Test Drive. If you’re interested in submitting your improv team to perform at The Magnet, that’s The Rundown. Both of these applications can be found HERE on the Magnet website. There will be more Special Improv Q & A’s coming up, so stay tuned. Also, Megan will be taking office hours at The Magnet Training Center on Saturday, Feb. 23rd from 3-6pm. This is a great time to bring up any comments, ideas or concerns. Please email Megan to set up an appointment: megan@magnettheater.com.
Quinton Loder, The Magnet Theater Manager, spoke about the physical changes in the space. His focus has been making the theater safe, friendly and professional. He is always open to suggestions: Quinton@magnettheater.com. Dave Warth has been brought on as The Magnet Technical Director- welcome Dave!
Armando Diaz & Ed Herbstman, Co-Owners of The Magnet Theater, talked about The Magnet’s conception and future. Ed urged students to utilize their honed skills and apply them to different aspects of performing. Armando talked about keeping the Magnet true to its roots. The Theater is growing, and in this growth, Armando urged, it’s important to remember who we are.
That’s all! See you at The Theater!
Ladies and Gentleman, with less than a day left until Armando Diaz attempts to teach and coach improv & sketch for 24 hours straight, we bring you the official schedule! Armando will be working with all of these people from noon Saturday, December 1st until noon Sunday, December 2nd. He’s pretty sick, a bit loopy and losing his voice- but he won’t back down. Can he do it? Will Diaz break the world record for teaching improv & sketch in order to raise money for Hurricane Relief? Feel free to find out in person by joining in on one of the Improv Jam’s!
SATURDAY DEC. 1st
12pm-1:30pm: Andrew Cornelius
1:30pm-3pm: Intern Jam!
3pm-6pm: Sketch Level 1
6pm-8pm: Michael Dervin
8pm-10pm: Chet Watkins
10pm-11:59am: Gwen Mesco
11:59pm-2am: Drop-in Jam!!!! (OPEN TO EVERYONE)
SUNDAY DEC. 2nd
2am-4am: Mick Murtha
4am-6am: Matt Antonucci
6am-8am: Eaglefox
8am-10am: Honey
10am-12pm: Free Intro to Improv
Come and cheer this brave man on. Can he do it? I guess we’ll all find out together! We’ll post updates as the day goes on and so can you at #Armando. Godspeed Armando Diaz.
With a tournament schedule that looks like Monday Night Football meets Whose Line Is It Anyway, CIF Productions brings you the 2012-2013 College Improv Tournament at The Magnet Theater this Saturday, Nov. 17th! Enjoy the nations best College Teams as they duke it out for the title of “Best College Improv Team”! Check out the schedule below!
12pm
The Whistling Shrimp – Cornell University
Scatterbomb – Manhattan College
A 4 Effort – Rutgers University
2pm
Dangerbox – New York University
Yale Exit Players – Yale University
Quipfire! – Princeton University
Fruit Paunch – Columbia University
4pm
Gag Reflex – Wesleyan University
The Georgetown Improv Association – Georgetown University
Horse Lincoln Improv – University of Connecticut
7PM Finals
Wildcard team (top 2nd place team for the day)
12pm match winner
2pm match winner
4pm match winner
As Hurricane relief continues, Armando Diaz has decided to donate his time and talents to the cause. That is why on Saturday, Dec. 1st from 12pm until Sunday, Dec. 2nd at 12pm- Armando Diaz will teach & coach improv and sketch comedy for 24 hours straight! All of the money raised from the Coach-athon will be donated to the Red Cross for Hurricane Relief.
Let the bidding begin: BID HERE!
