Difference between revisions of "Nice Astronaut"

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|Name = Nice Astronaut
|Name = Nice Astronaut
|Picture= Niceastro-2013-04-10.jpg
|Picture= Niceastro-2013-04-10.jpg
|Cast = {{Unbulleted list|[[Calan Lambert]]|[[Chaz Formichella]]|[[Drew Wesely]]|[[Jessica Marpe]]|[[Nicole McCracken]]|[[Tim Honker]]}}
|Cast = {{Unbulleted list|[[Abby Lincoln]]|[[AJ McKeon]]|[[Chaz Formichella]]|[[Drew Wesely]]|[[Joseph Dailey]]|[[Katie Byrnes]]|[[Nathan Sowell]]|[[Sanjay Rao]]}}


|Years = 2008-Present
|Years = 2008-Present
}}
}}


'''Nice Astronaut''' is a Chicago-style longform improv troupe in Austin, TX that specializes in creating formats. They have a monthly show ([[Last Call]]) on the second Saturdays at 11pm at [[ColdTowne Theater]].
'''Nice Astronaut''' is an improv troupe in Austin, TX that creates and performs Chicago-style longform improv forms. Their monthly show is on the second Saturdays at 11:30pm at [[ColdTowne Theater]]. The format of their monthly show is "Nice Astronaut Presents Improv Roulette", in which they and an opening team (usually from ColdTowne Conservatory's Level 5-6 classes) spin a wheel of improv formats and perform whichever one the wheel decides.  


== Formation ==
== History ==
Nice Astronaut was the first permanent, self-formed troupe from [[ColdTowne Theater]] and was formed from several students in a level 1 class together at ColdTowne Theater.  They debuted under the temporary name "H.J. Compromise" in a ColdTowne Theater Cagematch on October 11, 2008.  They were originally coached by [[Tom Booker]] (2008-2009) and were later coached by [[Dave Buckman]] (2009-2011).
Nice Astronaut was the first permanent, self-formed troupe from [[ColdTowne Theater]] which debuted in a ColdTowne Theater Cagematch on October 11, 2008, under the name ''HJ Compromise''.  They were originally coached by [[Tom Booker]] (2008-2009) and were later coached by [[Dave Buckman]] (2009-2011, 2013) and then [[Cody Dearing]] (2013-).


[[Image:Niceasstronautchamp1.jpg|thumb|alt=Nice Astronaut as Cagematch champions|Nice Astronaut as cagematch champions December 2008]]
In 2011, [[Nicole McCracken]] and Tim formed a separate troupe named [[Townsville]] to write and perform scripted comedy. In late 2013, Townsville was folded back into Nice Astronaut as the scripted comedy arm in order to create the second Townsville show: Back in Townsville: Townsville Community Center for the April-May 2014 ColdTowne Theater run.


As H.J. Compromise, they went on to win the December 2008 [[ColdTowne Theater]] [[Cagematch]] championships after defeating "Honky Knife Fight" ([[Josh Krilov]] and [[Stephanie Russo]]) and "Four Square On The Moon" (one of the many permutations of the [[ColdTowne Student Troupe]] [[Northshore Local]].
== Teaching ==
Nice Astronaut taught improv and sketch workshops in Austin, Phoenix, and Houston in 2013-2014.


=== Controversy ===
== Custom Created Longform Improv Forms ==
The original 6 members of Nice Astronaut were classmates in a level 1 ColdTowne Theater class together, but did not include all of the 9 students in the class.  The [[ColdTowne Faculty]] did not officially condone the formation of Nice Astronaut since it did not include all students in their class, and prohibited them from performing or rehearsing as a troupe at ColdTowne Theater, nor were they allowed to use any ColdTowne Faculty as a coach.  A ColdTowne Faculty member recommended [[Tom Booker]] as the initial coach since he was not ColdTowne faculty.  Approximately 6-9 months after formation, the troupe was permitted to perform at ColdTowne Theater in a non-cagematch show ([[The Proctor]]) after the ColdTowne Faculty watched a troupe rehearsal.
Nice Astronaut has specialized in creating and preforming custom improv forms, but has also performed montages, living rooms, narratives, Armandos, and the Deconstruction.
 
== Etymology ==
After narrowing down the potential troupe name from a list of over 200, the troupe wanted to be called "Bad Astronaut" (a pun on "Bad-Ass"), but the name was already taken by a punk band.  After exploring several alternatives (including "Fat Astronaut"), they settled on "Nice Astronaut"- which is a pun on "Nice-Ass" and "Nice Ass... (scoff) NOT!" (a la Wayne's World).  This part of the troupe name original is now considered stupid and they don't like to talk about it.
 
=== Members ===
The troupe was formed by [[Becca Peterson]], [[Allison Alvarez]], [[Patrick Daniel]], [[Clay Crenshaw]], [[Tim Honker]] and [[Carla Goodman]].  Carla left the troupe after rehearsals began but before the first show.
 
[[Image:NiceAstro-2011Lineup.jpg|thumb|alt=Nice Astronaut 2011|Nice Astronaut lineup 2010]]
 
Over the years, the following people have been or are currently still members of Nice Astronaut (in order of joining):
* [[Becca Peterson]] (2008 - 2013)
* [[Allison Alvarez]] (2008 - 2011)
* [[Patrick Daniel]] (2008 - 2009)
* [[Clay Crenshaw]] (2008 - 2010)
* [[Carla Goodman]] (2008)
* [[Tim Honker]] (2008 - present)
* [[Nicole McCracken]] (2009 - present)
* [[Josh Gill]] (2009 - 2012)
* [[Lisa Jackson]] (2010 - 2012)
* [[Drew Wesely]] (2011 - present)
* [[Jared Stepp]] (2011 - 2012)
* [[Milo Smith]] (2012)
* [[Nathan Sowell]] (2012 - 2013)
* [[Chrissy Shackleford]] (2012 - 2013)
* [[Calan Lambert]] (2012 - present)
* [[Jessica Marpe]] (2012 - present)
* [[Chaz Formichella]] (2012 - present)
 
== Show Formats ==
Nice Astronaut has specialized in creating and preforming custom formats, but has also performed montages, living rooms, Armandos, and Deconstructions for extended periods of time.


=== Small Universe ===
=== Small Universe ===
The Small Universe format is the combination of a Close Quarters and a Harold. The show begins with scene painting one or more nearby locations in which the show will take place.  A set of scenes are performed in these, or closely inspired locations, and eventually they all intertwine.  Nice Astronaut started performing this format in the summer of 2012.
The Small Universe format is the combination of a loose Close Quarters and a loose Harold. The format consists of describing an object and collectively storytelling about that object from a plural first person point of view.  Long rabbit holes are traveled down to generate 2-3 rules of the universe which eventually cause the characters, locations, relationships and rules to intertwine in the end of the show.  Nice Astronaut created this format in the summer of 2012.


=== Improvioke ===
=== Improvaoke ===
Similar to an Armando, the Improvioke replaces the monologues and monologist with an improvised song based off an audience member to a well known song's karaoke backing track.  Nice Astronaut created this form in early 2010 and often performs it on their second Saturday shows.
The [http://www.coldtownetheater.com/events/nice-astronaut-improvioke Improvaoke] is similar to an Armando, but replaces the monologues with the interview of an audience member about their life and then an improvised song based about that person.  The improvised lyrics are sung to an existing  and well known karaoke backing track, such as Sweet Caroline.  Nice Astronaut created this form in early 2010 and performs it on their second Saturday shows.


=== 28 Minutes Later ===
=== 28 Minutes Later ===
28 Minutes Later (named after the approximate length of the show) is a mono-scene show that follows the third act of a zombie survival movie.  Nice Astronaut takes a suggestion of a non-geographic location where "humanity may make its last stand" against the zombies, then each improviser enters a dark stage with a flashlight and delivers a character monologue until the last character locates the lights in the location and the show starts.
28 Minutes Later (named after the approximate length of the show) is a mono-scene form that follows the third act of a zombie survival movie.  Nice Astronaut takes a suggestion of a non-geographic location where "humanity may make its last stand" against the zombies. Each improviser enters a dark stage with a flashlight and delivers a character monologue until the last character locates the lights in the location and the show starts.


=== It's A Tolerable Existence ===
=== It's A Tolerable Existence ===
Performed as a run at [[ColdTowne Theater]] in December 2011, this narrative format improvises an alternate version of "It's A Wonderful Life" based off the real life and childhood dreams of an audience member.  The show was presented as if it was a hosted Christmas movie from the 1940's showing similar to Masterpiece Theater.  This run of shows would also end with some a Christmas themed Improvioke set.
Performed as a [http://www.coldtownetheater.com/blog/nice-astronaut-presents-its-a-tolerable-existence-4 run at ColdTowne Theater in December 2011], this narrative format improvises an alternate version of "It's A Wonderful Life" based off the real life and childhood dreams of an audience member from an interview.  The show was presented as if it was a hosted Christmas movie from the 1940's showing similar to Masterpiece Theater.  This run of shows would also end with some a Christmas themed Improvaoke set.


=== White Elephant ===
=== White Elephant ===
White Elephant was a format performed as a December 2012 run at ColdTowne Theater.  Audience members were instructed to write down previous good and bad gifts they had given and received in the past onto pieces of paper.  Nice Astronaut, dressed in festive attire, then randomly drew these piece of paper and used them as suggestions to inspire real life monologues which inspired a run of scenes.
White Elephant was a format performed as a [http://do512.com/event/weekly/thu/thursday-night-social-club-nice-astronaut-and-precious-dads-hosted-by-mac-blake December 2012 run at ColdTowne Theater].  Audience members were instructed to write down previous good and bad gifts they had given and received in the past onto pieces of paper.  Nice Astronaut, dressed in festive attire, then randomly drew these piece of paper and used them as suggestions to inspire real life monologues which inspired a run of scenes.
 
=== Save These Dates ===
A semi-narrative improv format that follows the potential dates and long term lives and "what-if's" of a game show contestant and their 3 suitors.  Nice Astronaut performed this format in [http://www.coldtownetheater.com/events/nice-astronaut-presents-save-these-dates February and March 2012].


=== Dating Game ===
== Scripted Shows ==
A semi-narrative improv format that follows the potential dates and long term lives and what-if's of a game show contestant and their 3 suitors.  Nice Astronaut performed this format in February and March 2012.
 
=== Back In Townsville: Townsville Community Center ===
See full article: [[Back In Townsville: Townsville Community Center]]


=== After Midnight ===
=== After Midnight ===
After Midnight was Nice Astronaut's monthly improv/sketchprov show during 2009-2010.  Each show as themed and often had sketches "re-improvised" in the same style of Second City revues.  The same time slot is now called "[[Last Call]]".  The show titles included:
After Midnight was Nice Astronaut's monthly improv/sketchprov show during 2009-2010.  Each show as themed and often had sketches "re-improvised" in the same style of Second City revues.  The show titles and themes included:
 
* Infomercials
* Infomercials
* You are NOT the father
* You are NOT the father
Line 77: Line 54:


== Festivals ==
== Festivals ==
Nice Astronaut has performed at the Chicago Improv Festival (2013), the Del Close Marathon (2009, 2012), and [[Out of Bounds]] (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012).
Nice Astronaut has performed at the following festivals
* [http://chicagoimprovfestival.org/events/nice-astronaut-and-umlautilde-2/ Chicago Improv Festival 2013]
* Del Close Marathon - [http://www.delclosemarathon.com/dcm11/shows/view/510 2009], [http://www.delclosemarathon.com/dcm14/shows/view/683 2012], [http://www.delclosemarathon.com/dcm15/shows/view/756/full 2013], [http://www.delclosemarathon.com/performance/detail/10569 2014], 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
* [[Out of Bounds]] - [http://outofboundsimprov.com/2009/shows/wed8svtapples.html 2009], [http://www.outofboundscomedy.com/2010/2010/coming-soon/Index.html 2010], [http://www.outofboundscomedy.com/2011/duo-shmuoatx530pmachatina-achatinaatxoj-in-a-sippy-cupnyc630pmthe-glamping-tripatx-margots-piela-730pmthat-summer-in-junechi-tbatba830pmbitter-sweet-chokechi-jerkslachi930pml/index.html 2011], [http://www.outofboundscomedy.com/2012/events/fri-aug-31st-830pm-coldtowne/index.html 2012], [http://www.outofboundscomedy.com/events/thu-10pm-hideout-up/ 2013], [http://www.outofboundscomedy.com/act/nice-astronaut/ 2014], 2015, 2016
* Trill Comedy Fest - [http://trillcomedy.com/shows-2/ 2014]
* Improv Festival Oklahoma - [http://www.improvoklahoma.com/performanceschedule/ 2014]
 
== Media ==
=== Videos ===
* [http://youtu.be/Vih0JjV831I Video] by [[Brian Boyko]] of a 2009 show.
* [http://vimeo.com/21037196 Video] by [[Lisa Jackson]] of their 3/12/11 "Improvioke" show.
* [http://vimeo.com/36009826 December 2011 "It's a Tolerable Existence" show.]
* [http://vimeo.com/50645379 8/11/12 show: "Mattress Cover".]
 
=== Photos ===
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.4011964980262.140422.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] which includes their 12/27/12 performance in ''[[The Threefer]]''.
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.10202063069321016.1073741890.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes their 6/5/14 performance in ''[[The Threefer]]''.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1032345030162346.1073742240.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] which includes their 9/2/15 performance in [[The 2015 Out of Bounds Comedy Festival]].


== Miscellaneous ==
== Miscellaneous ==
Nice Astronaut also hosted the short lived "Nomad Comedy Nights" on Wednesdays at Nomad Bar during the summer of 2009.
Nice Astronaut also hosted the short lived [http://blog.coldtownetheater.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/nomad-poster-june09b.jpg "Nomad Comedy Nights"] on Wednesdays at Nomad Bar during the summer of 2009.


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Townsville]]
* [[Townsville]]
* [[Who Dack?]]
* [[Who Dack?]]
* [[Gillactica]]
* [[Kingston]]
* [[First United Methodist Church of Plano's Youth Group Improv]]
* [[First United Methodist Church of Plano's Youth Group Improv]]


== More Information ==
* [http://www.facebook.com/NiceAstronaut Nice Astronaut on Facebook]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/NiceAstronaut Nice Astronaut on YouTube]
* [http://vimeo.com/niceastronaut Nice Astronaut on Vimeo]
* [http://twitter.com/NiceAstronaut Nice Astronaut on Twitter]
* [http://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/2762592 Interview] with the troupe on ''[[The Theft Forum]]''.


[[Category:Active Troupes]]
[[Category:Active]]
[[Category:Troupes]]

Latest revision as of 16:05, 27 August 2020


Nice Astronaut is an improv troupe in Austin, TX that creates and performs Chicago-style longform improv forms. Their monthly show is on the second Saturdays at 11:30pm at ColdTowne Theater. The format of their monthly show is "Nice Astronaut Presents Improv Roulette", in which they and an opening team (usually from ColdTowne Conservatory's Level 5-6 classes) spin a wheel of improv formats and perform whichever one the wheel decides.

History

Nice Astronaut was the first permanent, self-formed troupe from ColdTowne Theater which debuted in a ColdTowne Theater Cagematch on October 11, 2008, under the name HJ Compromise. They were originally coached by Tom Booker (2008-2009) and were later coached by Dave Buckman (2009-2011, 2013) and then Cody Dearing (2013-).

In 2011, Nicole McCracken and Tim formed a separate troupe named Townsville to write and perform scripted comedy. In late 2013, Townsville was folded back into Nice Astronaut as the scripted comedy arm in order to create the second Townsville show: Back in Townsville: Townsville Community Center for the April-May 2014 ColdTowne Theater run.

Teaching

Nice Astronaut taught improv and sketch workshops in Austin, Phoenix, and Houston in 2013-2014.

Custom Created Longform Improv Forms

Nice Astronaut has specialized in creating and preforming custom improv forms, but has also performed montages, living rooms, narratives, Armandos, and the Deconstruction.

Small Universe

The Small Universe format is the combination of a loose Close Quarters and a loose Harold. The format consists of describing an object and collectively storytelling about that object from a plural first person point of view. Long rabbit holes are traveled down to generate 2-3 rules of the universe which eventually cause the characters, locations, relationships and rules to intertwine in the end of the show. Nice Astronaut created this format in the summer of 2012.

Improvaoke

The Improvaoke is similar to an Armando, but replaces the monologues with the interview of an audience member about their life and then an improvised song based about that person. The improvised lyrics are sung to an existing and well known karaoke backing track, such as Sweet Caroline. Nice Astronaut created this form in early 2010 and performs it on their second Saturday shows.

28 Minutes Later

28 Minutes Later (named after the approximate length of the show) is a mono-scene form that follows the third act of a zombie survival movie. Nice Astronaut takes a suggestion of a non-geographic location where "humanity may make its last stand" against the zombies. Each improviser enters a dark stage with a flashlight and delivers a character monologue until the last character locates the lights in the location and the show starts.

It's A Tolerable Existence

Performed as a run at ColdTowne Theater in December 2011, this narrative format improvises an alternate version of "It's A Wonderful Life" based off the real life and childhood dreams of an audience member from an interview. The show was presented as if it was a hosted Christmas movie from the 1940's showing similar to Masterpiece Theater. This run of shows would also end with some a Christmas themed Improvaoke set.

White Elephant

White Elephant was a format performed as a December 2012 run at ColdTowne Theater. Audience members were instructed to write down previous good and bad gifts they had given and received in the past onto pieces of paper. Nice Astronaut, dressed in festive attire, then randomly drew these piece of paper and used them as suggestions to inspire real life monologues which inspired a run of scenes.

Save These Dates

A semi-narrative improv format that follows the potential dates and long term lives and "what-if's" of a game show contestant and their 3 suitors. Nice Astronaut performed this format in February and March 2012.

Scripted Shows

Back In Townsville: Townsville Community Center

See full article: Back In Townsville: Townsville Community Center

After Midnight

After Midnight was Nice Astronaut's monthly improv/sketchprov show during 2009-2010. Each show as themed and often had sketches "re-improvised" in the same style of Second City revues. The show titles and themes included:

  • Infomercials
  • You are NOT the father
  • Improvised Bosom Buddies
  • Elvis-prov
  • Air'ee body gettin' married up in hurr
  • The Roast of Santa Claus

Festivals

Nice Astronaut has performed at the following festivals

Media

Videos

Photos

Miscellaneous

Nice Astronaut also hosted the short lived "Nomad Comedy Nights" on Wednesdays at Nomad Bar during the summer of 2009.

See Also

More Information

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