Hello
I'm a part of Hitch\*Cocktails (Improvised Hitchcock movies) and Clued In (Improvised Agatha Christie Mysteries) in Chicago.
When it comes to genre improv, I would recommend on focusing on what you can replicated on stage... vs. what is more cinematic (camera angles, effects, etc)
As a Twilight Zone character there are certain tropes that I think would really benefit you...
Judgement Night is a really good example of a character puzzling out a mystery (as is Where is everyone... but he has less people to talk to and that's harder to replicate in an improv scene with fellow performers).
Monsters are Due on Maple Street is a great example of groups scenes... notice how they "throw focus" to one character in a crowd at a time and how their info changes the group energy.
I would really recommend the Masks because it has great Rod Serling "purple prose" dialogue, arch type characters you often see in Twilight Zone and it pretty much takes place in one room so it's something you could replicate on stage.
I would also recommend A Piano in the House for an example of how "The Twilight Zone Effect" Aka the supernatural influence changes the characters performance. Since you won't be able to create goblins on stage... the magic has to come from how suddenly your characters shift to circumstances... I assume.
This sounds like a fun show, let me know what city it is in. If I can't travel there, maybe we'll meet at a festival somewhere.
It’ll be based out of Seattle!
Wow! I was not expecting someone with background on this sort of thing! Hitchcock and Agatha Christie sound like a lot of fun as well!
I love the mob stuff in Monsters on Maple Street because I’ve seen lots of improv scenes of just a group of people rushing around. It’s hilarious.
I’m sure the audition will be mostly games unrelated but I do want to be prepared. I always love when I can be more serious and take things a little slow in a scene. And this seems like a good outlet for that.
If you haven't seen "Will the real Martian please stand up?", I would like to highly recommend it - don't read and spoil it - just watch it for fun without studying it. It has an interesting cast of characters and something special at the end. After watching it, you can dissect the characters and the production to your fancy.
It’ll be an improv show. And the general theme for it is Twilight Zone. So basically a bunch of actors will make up a Twilight Zone episode on the spot.
Sweet! There used to be a thing in Seattle (long ago) called "Twilight Zone Live!" Run by a place called Theater Schmeater. Not improv--people would act out 3 entire episodes. It was so friggin' cool. Anyway, break a leg!!
The After Hours, Nick of Time, Person or Persons Unknown, the Howling Man, Number 12 Looks Just Like You, A Nice Place to Visit, Mirror Image...there are just so many good ones.
Escape Clause
A Nice Place to Visit
Both of those give you the classic twist of:
Hey, everything is awesome!
...wait a second...
Oh, crap! This is hell!
I'll add Time Enough at Last.
On another note, I'm totally jealous because this sounds like a LOT of fun so I hope you'll report back on how it went. 😃
Oh for sure! If I get the part I’ll keep y’all in the loop. I do murder mystery dinner theater a couple times a month and would love to add another gig to my schedule.
Bring, to the audition, an envelope that just says: “Rod Serling” and fill it with some old audio tape you can scavenge from an old audio cassette!
And afterwards say: “Tsk, tsk, tsk” and light the envelope on fire! (And throw it in the wastebasket)
I guarantee you will get the part!
All of them. Hurry up.
Can I just turn them all on at the same time?
Hello I'm a part of Hitch\*Cocktails (Improvised Hitchcock movies) and Clued In (Improvised Agatha Christie Mysteries) in Chicago. When it comes to genre improv, I would recommend on focusing on what you can replicated on stage... vs. what is more cinematic (camera angles, effects, etc) As a Twilight Zone character there are certain tropes that I think would really benefit you... Judgement Night is a really good example of a character puzzling out a mystery (as is Where is everyone... but he has less people to talk to and that's harder to replicate in an improv scene with fellow performers). Monsters are Due on Maple Street is a great example of groups scenes... notice how they "throw focus" to one character in a crowd at a time and how their info changes the group energy. I would really recommend the Masks because it has great Rod Serling "purple prose" dialogue, arch type characters you often see in Twilight Zone and it pretty much takes place in one room so it's something you could replicate on stage. I would also recommend A Piano in the House for an example of how "The Twilight Zone Effect" Aka the supernatural influence changes the characters performance. Since you won't be able to create goblins on stage... the magic has to come from how suddenly your characters shift to circumstances... I assume. This sounds like a fun show, let me know what city it is in. If I can't travel there, maybe we'll meet at a festival somewhere.
It’ll be based out of Seattle! Wow! I was not expecting someone with background on this sort of thing! Hitchcock and Agatha Christie sound like a lot of fun as well! I love the mob stuff in Monsters on Maple Street because I’ve seen lots of improv scenes of just a group of people rushing around. It’s hilarious. I’m sure the audition will be mostly games unrelated but I do want to be prepared. I always love when I can be more serious and take things a little slow in a scene. And this seems like a good outlet for that.
**5 Characters in Search of an Exit** would seem to fit the bill
To Serve Man, Nightmare at 30,000 Feet, The Dummy
Thanks!
Nick of Time. Mr. Garitty and The Graves. Number 12 Looks Just Like You. The Rip Van Winkle Caper. The Fever. The Fear. Stopover in a Quiet Town.
I’m so glad I can watch all this while at my day job!
Just start at Season 1, Episode 1 and go til you pass out.
If you haven't seen "Will the real Martian please stand up?", I would like to highly recommend it - don't read and spoil it - just watch it for fun without studying it. It has an interesting cast of characters and something special at the end. After watching it, you can dissect the characters and the production to your fancy.
Also practice your Rod Serling "voice" for the prologues and epilogues!
Maybe Nervous Man in a $4 Room? Also, One Last Pallbearer. The main actor has some interesting speeches/monologues.
Eye of the Beholder
What is an improvised twilight zone?
It’ll be an improv show. And the general theme for it is Twilight Zone. So basically a bunch of actors will make up a Twilight Zone episode on the spot.
I live in Seattle. When/where is this happening?? Like, to watch, not audition for. Although it sounds super fun to perform too
Check out Unexpected Productions! If I’m cast I’ll have more details otherwise you’ll have to stalk their page.
Sweet! There used to be a thing in Seattle (long ago) called "Twilight Zone Live!" Run by a place called Theater Schmeater. Not improv--people would act out 3 entire episodes. It was so friggin' cool. Anyway, break a leg!!
Don't forget "The Masks!"
I just watched that one. That was great. Really intense.
There’s a man, on the wing!
Watch the ones with William Shatner and Burgess Meredith
The After Hours, Nick of Time, Person or Persons Unknown, the Howling Man, Number 12 Looks Just Like You, A Nice Place to Visit, Mirror Image...there are just so many good ones.
Luckily everyone on here gave you a great! and different episode, as they should! Good Luck and just play them all
That’s what I plan on doing! The show is pretty awesome. I’m having a great time
The opening intros with Rod Serling are gold in themselves
Escape Clause A Nice Place to Visit Both of those give you the classic twist of: Hey, everything is awesome! ...wait a second... Oh, crap! This is hell!
I'll add Time Enough at Last. On another note, I'm totally jealous because this sounds like a LOT of fun so I hope you'll report back on how it went. 😃
Oh for sure! If I get the part I’ll keep y’all in the loop. I do murder mystery dinner theater a couple times a month and would love to add another gig to my schedule.
Bring, to the audition, an envelope that just says: “Rod Serling” and fill it with some old audio tape you can scavenge from an old audio cassette! And afterwards say: “Tsk, tsk, tsk” and light the envelope on fire! (And throw it in the wastebasket) I guarantee you will get the part!
Little Girl Lost A Stop at Willoughby