Taking the Fun Out of It

Rondo's Final Show - Friday October 16th at 9:30 at ImprovBoston

This evening marks the last public performance of Rondo, an improv troupe I've been performing with since their inception. All said and done from the first rehearsal to tonight's show it's been almost three years.

Rondo was my main improv performance outlet during a huge period of growth as a performer and one of the things I'll always associate the most with ImprovBoston. But beyond that, there are a few things that really stick out in my head about the group over the years.

More than any improv group I've ever performed with, we were working together for the right reasons. For the first year or so, Rondo didn't have any regular performance outlet. For most teams that would eventually wear on the group, but for us we just kept plugging away because we liked working with each other and wanted to get better at performing the Harold. When shows came up, it was a big deal (if only just for us). When I get burnt out, stuck, or overstressed, I try to remind myself of the attitude in the early days of Rondo.

We really did have some transcendent moments together on stage as a group - when our shows were at their best they really did blow my mind and exceed our expectations. I still remember shows and moments within shows years later, which is amazing. To be amazed and surprised by your group's own work is a wonderful thing.

I got to perform with a bunch of people I really admire and respect. Evan Barden, Brian Donnelly, Christine Flynn, Sasha Goldberg, Harry Gordon, Ari Herbstman, Manny Hernandez, Jeremiah Jordan, Will Luera, Mike McDonald, Sheila Moeschen and Neil Reynolds. Great players and great people.

And finally, Rondo was a huge part of the creation and growth of the Harold program at ImprovBoston. We went from just Rondo with no performance or rehearsal space, to a weekly Harold night show, four Harold teams, and three levels of classes. I've gotten to teach the Harold and coach another team. Now moving on from Rondo I'm hoping to have a chance to join another Harold team and recapture some of that magic. Exciting stuff.

Not bad for three years, huh?

I'll leave you with one last thing - a video of an old Rondo show. We used it as our festival submission video. Enjoy.

Labels: improv, rondo