DSI NC traveling team?

[EthanK]

This weekend in Philly inspired an idea. I'd want to run it by everyone to see if it's legit or not.

When four people from DSI visited Haverford we were treated as a team, even though we'd never played together before. We got into the group mind on the way up and kept together the whole time. My idea is, since I'd like to see more road trips to improv events, that we could have a generic team label for DSI NC students traveling around. Lisa's suggestion was using the name "Piecemeal" since that's an ever changing team we already have. Four people head out to Philly? They're Piecemeal from DSI. Three different people travel to Atlanta? They'll be Piecemeal too. Whoever is representing DSI at that event will be in this traveling group. If you're traveling as a named group, then yeah, you'll be your group (Tony's Pony, Mr. Diplomat, Throw Like a Girl, etc.) but for road trip purposes we'd use the generic name.

No specific coaching will be needed, since the players will change from trip to trip.

What does everyone think?

[CoreyBrown]

In my opinion I'd be against that idea. Representing a team holds some serious weight in the eyes of people whom you are visiting. Representing individuals from DSI gives us more leeway and freedom to be as we want to be, and not have any expectations.

I like to represent when I go places, but I don't like people to expect things from me.

[Lisa P]

The fact is, whether or not we want people to have expectations, they already do. We can't control their expectations, no matter what, so we might as well be proactive about it and make sure we put our best foot forward whenever we go out to play.

[jesstah]

Is there a distinction made between DSI performers and DSI students? Much like Second City Main Stage or their Touring Company vs. the students who take their classes?

-Jesster

[PT]

Ethan, you know I'm down for anything. Yes, Corey true, people expecting things from you is a pressure cooker. Yet life is an adventure, DSI is an adventure! It's all risky, but two names my friends, Lois & Clark..............I meant Lewis & Clark, damn!

[EthanK]

DSI has a touring company out of Chicago. The assumption that may be made, when someone says that DSI is coming this weekend, is that they are referring to the touring company, and at first glance at our website those are the faces that they see. My suggestion is for students who are traveling under the blanket ID of DSI to use a generic, all-purpose name to:
a. separate the students from the touring company
b. foster a sense of team spirit amongst those participating
c. illustrate that this group is coming from NC
d. add another feather to the cap of the performance resume
(item "d" is not as important as the other 3)

I see Corey's point really really well, and I agree that once we're under the banner of a group that anyone can belong to you'll deal with people expecting group A Piecemeal and getting group B Piecemeal, perhaps made up of beginning students with little experience. In that sense, yes, their expectations would be shattered and we'd look all the worse for it. But this banner name could be a choice of the performers and of DSI. If DSI says "don't be Piecemeal this trip" then the group should recognize their limitations and go as individuals from DSI. If one participant doesn't want to be Piecemeal, then the group shouldn't be called such.

People have expectations already and the face that we show should always be the game face, trying to always look our best because everytime we play to a new crowd it's a make-or-break performance for the organization as a whole. I'd love the anonymity of just being "DSI" but everyone thinks of DSI differently.

[CoreyBrown]

They expect some yes, but say for instance Porter, Zach, Ross and Scott take a trip as DSI's piecemeal. They do workshops and even jam at the end as piecemeal. They kick ass and everyone knows DSI's piecemeal as this solid team who edits clean, wide range of character choices, and every other positive thing you can say about a team.

3 weeks later a car of 4 takes off except those 4 are only students who haven't even started level 2. Upon their arrival they are pounded with hype that the last group set up with their performance, they get offered some play time and play, but don't live up to the other groups playing ability. They feel upset and down about what they do. They even hear how piecemeal isn't what they heard.

Carrying a name is tough especially when it would be constantly changing.

Imagine if you saw that Dillinger show, then a week later you see another Dillinger not of the same people or the same ability.

Id say the groups leaving would be better off just going as DSI.

[PT]

Okat Damn Corey, you have a good point. Ethank, my observation is that if we plan a road trip, then yes, we should go as individuals. Representing DSI in any form I think is good enough.

Not that (and I think I speak for everybody) we're throwing your idea away. I still think it would be awesome to have a Philly experience or anywhere over and over again! But as a name, more times than we'll want, it might go the wrong way. Sorry I went from hot to cold all the sudden, but you know, we caught Saddam in all...

[Zach]

I would ask that we table this discussion for today.

I will post a response, taking everyone's thoughts into consideration, for your early friday morning reading.

Thanks!

[jesstah]

Seems to me that if it's a DSI thing, there is danger of the name of DSI being repesented as something it may not be. Someone in charge of DSI should control this decision.

If it's another organization, someone should have the final say in casting to ensure the quality of the show, just like in any troupe. Otherwise, confusion will set in.

If you guys just want to go with whoever shows up, don't have a group name. Or at least have a new one each time. When some members of the Saint teamed up with some members of the Junkmen (and there was some overlap) we went by Landfill Martyr rather than one of the groups "with special guests". Doesn't require a lot of organization, though, and offers no consistency.

I got tabled once. When I was a fraternity brother, a bunch of pledges tied me to a table with duct tape to get another brother's contact. I kept busting through the tape, so they got rope. Afterwards, they said something like, "Not so tough now, huh." I smiled and pulled out my knife to cut myself loose as they all scattered.

-Jesster

[EthanK]

Now they're all dead....funny, that...

[DSI]

Seems to me that if it's a DSI thing, there is danger of the name of DSI being repesented as something it may not be. Someone in charge of DSI should control this decision.
Done.

Anyone traveling for improv festivals or workshops outside of DSI's Chapel Hill / Carrboro home can and should promote themselves as part of the DSI community, but should not assume an official team name from the DSI Theater. Mister Diplomat and Tony's Pony are DSI's current House Teams and I am very proud to have them both performing for the DSI Theater. We will be casting additional teams soon, but even then only those groups which are cast would ever be "representing" the Theater as a DSI Team.

For you, Ethan, think about the respect you received and the level of blind admiration you felt in PA. That was there because you, PT, Lisa and Corey were representing the DSI community, not because you were a member of a "piecemeal" team.

If you went as "Piecemeal" people would say who, but if you went as DSI students, because of the Dirty South Improv Festival, all the work we have done building the name in Chicago, and all the contacts developed by Ross and myself networking and touring, people across the country (and canada) would have a definite reference to say cool.... how'd you get involved with DSI??

Awesome teams like TLAG, Two Horsemen, Choke Up could go as themselves to festivals and should definitely promote themselves as part of the DSI community, but even they are not official DSI Teams and that should be made clear to those they are visiting, etc. Although, like Mister Diplomat, solid dedicated ensembles could be made House Teams in time if the group, Ross and myself think it a positive move.

Everyone should strive to be on a DSI House Team for a number of reasons, number one being official recognition, because, honestly, DSI has an incredible national reputation (with DSIF, Dual Exhaust, The Beatbox), and we (Ross, myself, Jin Kim, everyone) are doing everything we can to help it grow stronger.

Let me know what you think.
And please email if you have any problems or questions.

Thank you, Corey, Jesster, Ethan, PT, and Lisa for your thoughts.

I have been up since 9am yesterday, so I am going to sleep now.


Zach Ward
Executive Producer
zach@dirtysouthimprov.com

[Jennings]

Well said, Zach.

I just wanted to add that when Greg and I were in New York this week, I talked to Risa and Joe from Dillinger, and they were very impressed by the crew that went up to Philly. They even REMEMBERED YOUR NAMES. Well, Risa didn't remember Corey, but I think she at least pretended after some prompting. Sorry, dude.

[EthanK]

I second Jennings, well said.

We're all striving to get on a team, even a practice team, and every little success makes us feel good. That Risa and Joe remembered us is a nice touch.

And if anyone knows of another trip to take, let me know. I'm scouring the IRC but all I see are weekly NYC trips that I can't afford to really go to. But a day's drive? No problem. We'll represent DSI well wherever we are. Even if it is just the grocery store.

[CoreyBrown]

OH SHE REMEMBERS!

Omg you might be right. she might not.....but thats only because of her boyfriend and NOT because IM NOT AWESOME!

I hate you Scott for telling me this sorrow.

[PT]

I third that Zach, well said. I just can't wait for the next opp, to go somewhere to represent DSI. No matter the form, no matter if it's a house a team, or just two people. To me, it's all about the love of the art, so no matter when, no matter how far, I'll always be able to help on the ongoing mission of representation!

P.S. Yeah Corey, that does suck. But look on the bright side, you got to perform with her, uh, didn't you?

[Lisa P]

Zach - Thanks so much for fostering an enviornment where people feel comfortable throwing out ideas knowing they will be heard. This kind of leadership is what makes DSI so successful.

I was pleased and proud to have been associated with DSI in Philly and I am glad we represented ourselves and DSI well. That was important to me and I think to all of us. Again, I credit good leadership with inspiring the desire to make a good impression, not just personally, but for the group.


p.s. - Hey, you guys stop saying that! I am NOT a kiss-up!

[PT]

Ditto Lisa, ditto.

P.S. My email's down, so maybe you've sent me those pics? I wouldn't know. So here's my Dad's email (Gilead99@nc.rr.com), send them there, thanks Mom.

[Lisa P]

Son - I hate to tell you this, but Mommy is technologically challenged. I figured out how to get them on Yahoo, but I can't figure out how to share them. I'll fool with it again tonight and see what I can do.

[jesstah]

And since I post on this message board, I am promoting my new one-man show "Racism is for Fags: A DSI Community Production".

I will be in black face and a tu tu and shout out anti-semetic remarks in a bad Japanese accent based on a suggestion from the audience. Did I mention I'll be wearing a bike helmet and be sitting in a wheel chair?

Should be a good time. I will let you know how it goes.

-Jesster

[Zach]

And since I post on this message board, I am promoting my new one-man show "Racism is for Fags: A DSI Community Production". I will be in black face and a tu tu and shout out anti-semetic remarks in a bad Japanese accent based on a suggestion from the audience. Did I mention I'll be wearing a bike helmet and be sitting in a wheel chair? Should be a good time. I will let you know how it goes. -Jesster
You can cease and desist immediately, Jesse.

I know you are simply trying to make a point, and I appreciated your previous post saying it was probably a DSI leadership decision to make. It was, and I did. But DSI made its view clear, knowing that at this point a show like the one you described would not come out of the positive community we have in North Carolina so you can calm your dogs of war. If something were to approach any of the lines your proposed show would cross, DSI would handle it accordingly and would probably be forced to have an even tighter control over the image of DSI and the way teams present themselves. As it stands right now, we are an intimate and close community of performers and students that I feel has a common goal of promoting the DSI Theater as an incredible group of genuinely positive improvisers representing NC. We have acknowledged the difference between an official DSI House Team and being able to say that you are INSERT NAME and consider yourself part of the DSI community. That simple designation will be enough for now.

I thank Ethan for his enthusiasm and everyone else for their support of the DSI Theater. I echo LisaP in her appreciation of an environment where those ideas can be presented, and heard, and I hope my stand was acceptable and as well-received as it seemed to be. DSI could not move forward without the students and performers in North Carolina.


Please call me with any questions or email anytime.

Happy Chanukah! - 5 days 'til Christmas!

Thanks, again.

[Zack Bly]

i'd like to interject here that, when performing with a piecemeal team, throwing together a fun-sounding name for yourselves is loads of fun. CHiPs is hesitant to call itself "chips" when more than one or two people are missing from the roster, so we generally get friendly 'ally teams' to play for us when we have to miss a deadline. that's how we get butt-peach and sweet-ass dolphins.

kids! you too can think up crazy names for spur-of-the-moment improv teams!

alright, let's go back to talking about offensive show ideas.

[PT]

Here here, to Mr.Ward! We appreciate you, as much as you do us!