I enjoy a hearty laugh from time to time. This laughter has the ability to come from all directions but when someone else is able to pull it from my body and soul like a real life Shang Tsung of Mortal Kombat fame it makes it all the more special. I also enjoy a good cry sometimes. If this crying be from something that I find to be heart-wrenching AND on stage then we're in business. Now imagine if the comedy Mortal Kombat laughter and the heart-wrenching theatre stuff met in Birmingham, Alabama, went on a few dates, got jiggy with it one night and had a baby that powerful emotional seed would grow to be the Extemporaneous Theatre Company. The Extemporaneous Theatre Company, or ETC for short, is an improvisational comedy troupe that has been wowing audiences for a little over a year now. The group is assembled from an assortment of stand-up comedians and theatre actors among many other things and I was able to catch up with a couple of the ETC members Debbie Smith and Arik Sokol, in addition to ETC. founder and director, Douglas O' Neil, to ask them a few questions about the magic of improv comedy and ETC.
How did ETC get started?
Douglas: I had been with a group called Torrential Downplay that ceased operation in 2003. I did a few special gigs with my fellow TD alums over the years, but in 2008, I decided that it was time for Birmingham to have its own dedicated improv troupe again. We held our first audition on May 31, 2008, and worked through the summer to build a team. On August 23, 2008, we took the stage for Project Codename: Vulcan's Underpants "The Democratic National Convention Show."
What makes live comedy special, especially in the improvisational format?
Debbie: Improvisational comedy is a completely different animal from acting in a traditional play. I know great actors who suck at improv and great improvisors who can't act. You have to be blessed with a good sense of humor then learn how to turn off your brain and trust your instincts. And be ready to fail 50%-75% of the time!
Douglas: Improv always seems to spark these moments of sheer brilliance that are sometimes completely unrelated to the dialog that's being spoken - possibly something in the audience or something happening in the environment of the theatre. The fact that we and the audience are all there together for the same experience gives us 1,000 times more grist for our comic mill.
What are some other things you are apart of?
Arik: Birmngham Kickball - I created the first adult kickball game here and still run the league. I've worked at every Sidewalk Film Festival and I work at Artwalk.
Debbie: I am on the board of Theatre Downtown here in Birmingham and have acted in several plays around town in the last 11 years.
Douglas: I appear pretty regularly with MUSE OF FIRE: Shakespeare at Sloss, which uses the historic iron works in downtown Birmingham as a setting for international industrial fusion Shakespeare shows, and also step into roles from time to time at various theatres around town.
What can we expect for the future of the group?
Douglas: I do that ETC will continue to perform regularly in Birmingham, and we're looking to branch out to other parts of the state. We want to start performing at colleges around the state to help bolster an appreciation of live theatre and the amazing experience it can be - and also to demonstrate that you don't HAVE to go to New York or LA if you want to act. We're also hoping to be able to schedule a show for students on Auburn's campus within the next year.
Arik: Laughing, crying, getting rid of Martin Morrow, Mutiny.
When/where is the next performance?
Douglas: We'll be performing our hilarious short form show "Project Codename: VULCAN'S UNDERPANTS" at Birmingham Festival Theatre on October 1, 2, and 3 at 8pm. Admission is available in advance (save $3!) with discounts available for students and groups of 10 or more (save another $3!). All admissions are priced at $15 at the door. To buy in advance, get directions to the theatre, or see a free sample of what it is we do, check out our website at www.ExptemporaneousTheatre.com.
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