creative juices

[The Amazing Beaumanz]

After doing basically the same show for nearly 12 years. (which works very well) I have spent countless hours writing new material and have several notebooks full.

But, everytime I go to start a "new" show, I go right into autopilot of my old show. Possibly because I know it works.

Any suggestions on how to break out the shell or safety net of the old one??

[Marcus Wilson]

one bit a a time

Dallas

Don't try to do a whole new show at first. Replace a old bit with a new bit or routine in the middle of the show you would normally do.

[Seadawg]

Dallas, you may try the sink or swim approach and not take the old props with you. Only the new props for the new material...

I don't know about redoing the whole act but it is hard to do material without the props...


Good luck

[Frisbee]

Type out your entire script and look at it just before you go on, this will help to refresh you of the new stuff you want to try.

I agree with marcus, do not try it all at once, figure out which new bits you want to try and where to try them.

I would never open wiht new material or close with new material, put it somewhere in the middle so if it fails, you can pick up and end strong still.

[Evan Young]

I like to try new stuff on slow days when I have to drag out my crowd gather for ever and ever.

[Stretch]

New show . . . new location

Try a brand new place and time. Crash a charity gig, or volunteer for the Salvation Army Christmas Dinner with the homeless event, or a 5 k race, or something similar. In otherwords find an event that takes you totally out of of your old comfortable place and time. Leave all of your old props at home, bring only the new one (s). Make a drastic
break. Keep your comfortable costume, but change everything else. Sweat blood . . . and do it! But do it knowing that it is a lark, and the old show is still there for your regular gig and clients. But for this one time, go for broke.

I do strolling improv, not stage shows, but I find that if I occasionaly purposly forget my favorite props, it helps keep me fresh.

Good luck.

[The Amazing Beaumanz]

Thanks guys!!

I am doing a festival this weekend and am going to try some of the new stuff.