Difference between revisions of "The Professor"

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|Name = The Professor
|Name = The Professor
|Picture = The Professor.jpg
|Picture = The Professor.jpg
|Cast = Various
|Cast = {{Unbulleted list | [[Andrew Pish]] | [[Bridget Brewer]] | [[Clay Towery]] | [[Colin Bates]] | [[Emily Breedlove]] | [[Jeff Britt]] | [[Jordan T. Maxwell]] | [[Justin Bozied]] | [[Karen Jane DeWitt]] | [[Katie Thornton]] | [[Kayla Lane Freeman]] | [[Lacy Shawn]] | [[Lindsey Reeves]] | [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] | [[Mike Nystul]] | [[Peter Rogers]] | [[Quinn Buckner]] | [[Ryan Austin]] | [[Steve Harwood]] }}
|Director = {{Unbulleted list | [[Justin Davis]] (2010-2012) | [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] (2013-Present) }}
|Tech = [[Michael Yew]]
|Director = {{Unbulleted list | [[Justin Bozied]] (2011-2012) | [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] (2013-Present) }}
|Years = 2011-Present
|Years = 2011-Present
}}
}}


'''The Professor''' (full name: "The Professor: Improv Inspired by ''Doctor Who''") is a narrative improv troupe that presents improv in the style of the British science-fiction franchise ''[[wikipedia:Doctor Who|Doctor Who]]''.
'''The Professor''' (full name: '''''The Professor: Improv Inspired by ''Doctor Who''') is a narrative improv troupe that presents improv in the style of the British science-fiction franchise ''[[wikipedia:Doctor Who|Doctor Who]]''.
 
== Summary ==
While identical in concept to ''Doctor Who'', the shows performed by The Professor don't occupy the exact same universe as ''Doctor Who''.  The central character is "The Professor", and no mention is made of specific [[wikipedia:Whoniverse|Whoniverse]] villains.
 
In the first two seasons, no scenes ever occurred in TARDIS.  Onstage, the exit of the TARDIS was represented by a free-standing blue door.  In season two, this door could flip around to a non-blue side, and thus become a non-TARDIS door on the set.
 
Typically, one actor plays the Professor for a contiguous run of shows, with different actors playing (pre-determined) "companion" characters (or, in rare cases, pairs of companions) from week to week.


== History ==
== History ==
Prior to the founding of the troupe, the idea of "Improvised ''Doctor Who''" had long been floating around in the improv community, including a show proposal in 2010 from [[Jordan T. Maxwell]] for [[The Well Hung Jury Memorial Scholarship]].[http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11329&start=15#p99920]  In June 2011, [[Justin Davis]] posted a facebook thread inviting all interested parties to join him for an improv take on ''Doctor Who''.  The Professor then premiered at [[The Hideout Theatre]] on Thursday, June 23, 2011 as part of [[The Threefer]], and played an 8pm show at the Hideout two days later.
Prior to the founding of the troupe, the idea of "Improvised ''Doctor Who''" had long been floating around in the improv community.[http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11329]  In June 2011, [[Justin Bozied]] posted a Facebook status inviting all interested parties to join him for an improv take on ''Doctor Who''.  The Professor then premiered at [[The Hideout Theatre]] on Thursday, June 23, 2011 as part of [[The Threefer]], and played an 8pm show at the Hideout two days later.


Its first full run was a six-week set of Friday shows at [[The Institution Theater]] from October 14, 2011 to November 18, 2011.  Its second run was at [[Salvage Vanguard Theater]] (produced by [[Gnap!]]), on Fridays and Saturdays from March 23, 2012 to April 21, 2012.  In between runs, the troupe played one-off shows, including [[The TV Set]] in July 2012[http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=13738]
Its first full run was a six-week set of Friday shows at [[The Institution Theater]] from October 14, 2011 to November 18, 2011.  Its second run was at [[Salvage Vanguard Theater]] (produced by [[Gnap!]]), on Fridays and Saturdays from March 23, 2012 to April 21, 2012.  In between runs, the troupe played one-off shows, including ''[[The TV Set]]'' in July 2012[http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=13738]


At the end of 2012, [[Justin Davis]] stepped down as director.  At the start of 2013, [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] took over as director, and the troupe resumed performing one-off shows like [[The TV Set]][http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=14613].  Ferstenfeld tried to bring more scene-painting into the show, and draw more influence from "classic" ''Doctor Who'', from the years preceding Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat.
At the end of 2012, [[Justin Bozied]] stepped down as director.  At the start of 2013, [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] took over as director, and the troupe resumed performing one-off shows like [[The TV Set]][http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=14613].  For their third run in late 2013, Ferstenfeld incorporated scene-painting, the interior of the T.A.R.D.I.S., voice modulation, and homemade robots, drawing more influence from "classic" ''Doctor Who'', 1963-1989, the years preceding Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat.


== Casts ==  
== Casts ==  
=== "Season Zero" ===
=== "Season Zero" ===
The first two test shows featured [[Jordan T. Maxwell]] as the First Professor.
[[Image:The First Professor.jpg|thumb|alt=Jordan T. Maxwell as the First Professor.|[[Jordan T. Maxwell]] as the First Professor.]]
The first two test shows in June 2011 featured [[Jordan T. Maxwell]] as the First Professor.
 
* [[Jordan T. Maxwell]]
* [[Justin Bozied]]
* [[Karen Jane DeWitt]]
* [[Katie Thornton]]
* [[Mike Nystul]]
 
([[Emily Breedlove]] rehearsed with the cast, but did not play in either show.)


=== Season One ===
=== Season One ===
The first run of shows featured [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] and [[Andrew Pish]] as the Second and Third Professors.
[[Image:The Second Professor.jpg|thumb|alt=Michael Ferstenfeld as the Second Professor.|[[Michael Ferstenfeld]] as the Second Professor.]]
[[Image:The Third Professor.jpg|thumb|alt=Andrew Pish as the Third Professor.|[[Andrew Pish]] as the Third Professor.]]
The first run of shows, from October to November of 2011, featured [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] and [[Andrew Pish]] as the Second and Third Professors.


* [[Clay Towery]]
* [[Clay Towery]]
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=== Season Two ===
=== Season Two ===
The second run of shows introduced [[Peter Rogers]] and [[Karen Jane DeWitt]] as the Fourth and Fifth Professors, with [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] also reprising his take on the role.
[[Image:The Fourth Professor.jpg|thumb|alt=Peter Rogers as the Fourth Professor.|[[Peter Rogers]] as the Fourth Professor.]]
[[Image:The Fifth Professor.jpg|thumb|alt=Karen Jane DeWitt (left) as the Fifth Professor.|[[Karen Jane DeWitt]] (left) as the FifthProfessor.]]
The second run of shows, from March to April of 2012, introduced [[Peter Rogers]] and [[Karen Jane DeWitt]] as the Fourth and Fifth Professors, with [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] also reprising his take on the role.


* [[Clay Towery]]
* [[Clay Towery]]
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* [[Quinn Buckner]]
* [[Quinn Buckner]]
* [[Ryan Austin]]
* [[Ryan Austin]]
=== Season Three ===
Season three ran on Saturdays at [[The Institution Theater]] in November 2013.
* [[Bridget Brewer]]
* [[Jeff Britt]]
* [[Jordan T. Maxwell]]
* [[Lacy Shawn]]
* [[Michael Ferstenfeld]]
* [[Peter Rogers]]
* [[Quinn Buckner]]
* [[Steve Harwood]]
The run featured tech by [[Michael Yew]].


== Media ==
== Media ==
* 11/4/11 performance:
=== Videos ===
** [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.207529659315721.49434.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]].
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/904c9778 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of their 10/7/11 performance (1x01: "Caddywhompus").
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/cc8889b1 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of their 10/14/11 performance (1x02: "The Charm of Rune").
** [http://www.viddler.com/v/d82d5bf6 Video of the regeneration scene] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]].
** [http://www.viddler.com/v/d82d5bf6 Video of the regeneration scene] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]].
* 10/21/11 performance (2x03: "The Price of Periwinkles"):
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/44c548e3 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of their 10/21/11 performance (1x03: "The Price of Periwinkles").
** [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.211122242289796.50272.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]].
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/66a1d12f Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of the 10/28/11 performance (1x04: "Are We Off-World Yet?").
** [http://www.viddler.com/v/44c548e3 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]].
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/6eeff981 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of the 11/4/11 performance (1x05: "The Shapes We Draw").
* 10/28/11 performance (2x04: "Are We Off-World Yet?"):
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/958d0f05 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of the 11/11/11 performance (1x06: "Dinner for One").
** [http://www.viddler.com/v/66a1d12f Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]].
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/c39200bc Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of the 11/18/11 performance (1x07: "The Animal Within").
* 11/4/11 performance (2x05: "The Shapes We Draw"):
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/3a572642 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of the 12/17/11 performance (Christmas Special: "We Three Improvisors").
** [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.216700898398597.51775.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]].
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/d22be4a7 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of the 3/30/12 performance ("My Way").
** [http://www.viddler.com/v/6eeff981 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]].
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/e328a7 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of the 4/2/12 performance ("Chesapeekaboo!").
* 11/11/11 performance:
* [http://vimeo.com/40819538 Video] by [[Peter Rogers]] of the 4/20/12 performance ("All the World's a Stage?").
** [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.220876431314377.52600.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]].
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hoIsN3l7sc Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of the 4/21/12 performance (season two finale).
* 11/18/11 performance:
* [http://vimeo.com/48524413 Video] by [[Peter Rogers]] of the 8/29/12 performance at [[The Institution]].
** [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.229603903774963.53941.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]].
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZuQFuFSpB8 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of the 9/29/12 performance at Improvaganza, in Honolulu ("The Empire of the Sea").
* 3/30/12 performance ("My Way"):
* [http://vimeo.com/62584250 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] of the 1/25/13 performance at [[The Institution Theater]].
** [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.302776849791001.68467.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]].
* Videos of the 8/28/13 show at [[The 2013 Out of Bounds Comedy Festival]]: [http://vimeo.com/73437075 story #1], [http://vimeo.com/73480143 story #2]
** [http://www.viddler.com/v/d22be4a7 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]].
* [http://vimeo.com/77576162 Video] of their 10/19/13 show with ''[[Mister Morbid]]''.
* 4/21/12 performance (season 2 finale):
 
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hoIsN3l7sc Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]].
=== Photos ===
* 9/29/12 performance at Improvaganza, in Honolulu ("The Empire of the Sea"):
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.1700834963456.84665.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes their 6/23/11 performance in ''[[The Threefer]]''.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZuQFuFSpB8 Video] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.207529659315721.49434.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of their 10/14/11 performance (1x02: "The Charm of Rune").
* 1/18/13 performance at [[The TV Set]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.211122242289796.50272.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of their 10/21/11 performance (1x03: "The Price of Periwinkles").
** [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4125388415777.142093.1315383518&type=1 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]].
** [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.2069524260458.99258.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes the performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.216700898398597.51775.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the 11/4/11 performance (1x05: "The Shapes We Draw").
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.220876431314377.52600.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the 11/11/11 performance (1x06: "Dinner for One").
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.229603903774963.53941.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the 11/18/11 performance (1x07: "The Animal Within").
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.302776849791001.68467.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the 3/30/12 performance ("My Way").
** [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.2866616507266.115960.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] of the same show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/claudio.fox.5/media_set?set=a.448683378486496.100405.100000345135257&type=3 Photoset] by [[Claudio Fox]] that includes their 7/20/12 performance in ''[[The TV Set]]''.
* [http://www.facebook.com/hujhax/media_set?set=a.10151291685042265.521168.588952264&type=3 Casual photos] by [[Peter Rogers]] from the 9/29/12 performance at Improvaganza, in Honolulu ("The Empire of the Sea").
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4125388415777.142093.1315383518&type=1 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] of the 1/18/13 performance at [[The TV Set]].
* [http://cwcreations.smugmug.com/Improv-2013/Institution/2013-05-05-NerdProv/ Photoset] by [[Chad Wellington]] that includes their 5/5/13 performance at "Nerd Nite" at [[The Institution Theater]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.529335580468459.1073741851.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] that includes the 8/28/13 show at [[The 2013 Out of Bounds Comedy Festival]].
** [http://www.facebook.com/Heidi.N.Rogers/media_set?set=a.10103530127338390.1073741838.7909117&type=3 Photoset] by [[Heidi Rogers]] that includes the same show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.10200918291262280.1073741869.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] from backstage at the 11/23/13 show, which included a Austin-made T.A.R.D.I.S.
 
=== Publicity ===
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/ee23833e "Distress Call" video from 6/16/12.]


== More Information ==
== More Information ==
* [http://www.doctorwhotheatre.com/ The troupe's web site.]
* [http://www.doctorwhotheatre.com/ The troupe's web site.]
* [http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11329 2010 forum thread about improvising ''Doctor Who'' in Austin.]
* [http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11329 2010 forum thread about improvising ''Doctor Who'' in Austin.]
* [[Jordan T. Maxwell]]'s [http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11329&start=15#p99920 show proposal for "Professor Why"].
* [[Jordan T. Maxwell]]'s [http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11329&start=15#p99920 show proposal for "Professor Why"] for [[The Well Hung Jury Memorial Scholarship]].
* [http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=12036 Forum announcement of the premiere.]
* [http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=12036 Forum announcement of the premiere.]
* [http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=12042 Forum announcement of the second show.]
* [http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=12042 Forum announcement of the second show.]
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* [http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=12879 Cast announcement for season two.]
* [http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=12879 Cast announcement for season two.]
* [http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=13189 Show announcement for season two.]
* [http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=13189 Show announcement for season two.]
* [http://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/thetheftforum/id/2041810 2012 Interview] with director [[Justin Bozied]] and cast members [[Ryan Austin]], [[Emily Breedlove]], [[Colin Thomas Bates]], and [[Peter Rogers]]. on ''[[The Theft Forum]]''.
* [http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/04/time-and-relative-dimensions-in-improv-the-professor A 2012 Tor.com blog story about season two.]
* [http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/04/time-and-relative-dimensions-in-improv-the-professor A 2012 Tor.com blog story about season two.]
* [http://www.facebook.com/events/1424792731066029/ Facebook event for the third season.]
[[Category:Shows|Professor]]

Latest revision as of 15:19, 21 March 2019


The Professor (full name: The Professor: Improv Inspired by Doctor Who) is a narrative improv troupe that presents improv in the style of the British science-fiction franchise Doctor Who.

Summary

While identical in concept to Doctor Who, the shows performed by The Professor don't occupy the exact same universe as Doctor Who. The central character is "The Professor", and no mention is made of specific Whoniverse villains.

In the first two seasons, no scenes ever occurred in TARDIS. Onstage, the exit of the TARDIS was represented by a free-standing blue door. In season two, this door could flip around to a non-blue side, and thus become a non-TARDIS door on the set.

Typically, one actor plays the Professor for a contiguous run of shows, with different actors playing (pre-determined) "companion" characters (or, in rare cases, pairs of companions) from week to week.

History

Prior to the founding of the troupe, the idea of "Improvised Doctor Who" had long been floating around in the improv community.[1] In June 2011, Justin Bozied posted a Facebook status inviting all interested parties to join him for an improv take on Doctor Who. The Professor then premiered at The Hideout Theatre on Thursday, June 23, 2011 as part of The Threefer, and played an 8pm show at the Hideout two days later.

Its first full run was a six-week set of Friday shows at The Institution Theater from October 14, 2011 to November 18, 2011. Its second run was at Salvage Vanguard Theater (produced by Gnap!), on Fridays and Saturdays from March 23, 2012 to April 21, 2012. In between runs, the troupe played one-off shows, including The TV Set in July 2012[2]

At the end of 2012, Justin Bozied stepped down as director. At the start of 2013, Michael Ferstenfeld took over as director, and the troupe resumed performing one-off shows like The TV Set[3]. For their third run in late 2013, Ferstenfeld incorporated scene-painting, the interior of the T.A.R.D.I.S., voice modulation, and homemade robots, drawing more influence from "classic" Doctor Who, 1963-1989, the years preceding Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat.

Casts

"Season Zero"

Jordan T. Maxwell as the First Professor.
Jordan T. Maxwell as the First Professor.

The first two test shows in June 2011 featured Jordan T. Maxwell as the First Professor.

(Emily Breedlove rehearsed with the cast, but did not play in either show.)

Season One

Michael Ferstenfeld as the Second Professor.
Michael Ferstenfeld as the Second Professor.
Andrew Pish as the Third Professor.
Andrew Pish as the Third Professor.

The first run of shows, from October to November of 2011, featured Michael Ferstenfeld and Andrew Pish as the Second and Third Professors.

Season Two

Peter Rogers as the Fourth Professor.
Peter Rogers as the Fourth Professor.
Karen Jane DeWitt (left) as the Fifth Professor.
Karen Jane DeWitt (left) as the FifthProfessor.

The second run of shows, from March to April of 2012, introduced Peter Rogers and Karen Jane DeWitt as the Fourth and Fifth Professors, with Michael Ferstenfeld also reprising his take on the role.

Season Three

Season three ran on Saturdays at The Institution Theater in November 2013.

The run featured tech by Michael Yew.

Media

Videos

Photos

Publicity

More Information

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