Category Archives: Stage 2 Improv Reviews!

Oct13

Kidsprov 123!

Posted on October 13, 2014 by sagescenery

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It’s like my son, Casey’s,

Stage 2 Improv…

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/did-you-hear-t…ring-comedians/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/06/07/visiting-naple…prov-hilarious/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/its-a-hit/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/stage-2-improv…-of-my-funk-ha/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/my-sons-funny-…s-in-the-paper/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/07/27/boo-hoo-stage-2/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/stage-2-improv…back-go-see-it/ ‎

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/my-son-gets-funnier-ever-day/‎‎

But for kids!!!!

He’s been working with the Co-Directors,

Mike & Judith Santos

Practicing and video-taping for their shows!!

Check it out!!

And also check out their article in the Oct. issue of

Parent-Child Magazine!!!

http://kidsprov123.com/

http://kidsprov123.com/…/SW-FL-Parent-Child-October-2014000…

“Kids Prov 123^©

is a children’s comedy improv television series

performed in front of live studio audiences.

Skits, songs and games are driven by suggestions from in-studio

and on-line (virtual) audiences.

The show format includes guest performers,

contests between the performers,

and opportunities for on-line submissions via

YouTube and other social media platforms

which will be judged

with winners being invited to become in-studio audience for future episodes.

Improv may take the form of acting, dancing, singing,

playing musical instruments, creating artwork, miming, poetry, and more.

Improv is sometimes referred to as “on-the-spot”,

“off-the-cuff”,

and “on-the-fly” performing.

It is always unrehearsed.

Kids Prov 123^© performers will be spontaneously reacting

to the moment

and responding to their immediate environment

and their inner feelings.

In addition to the entertainment value,

Kids Prov 123^©

has strong educational value

for teaching such concepts as multi-lateral and creative thinking,

social skill building,

extemporaneous speaking,

communications and listening skills,

body language,

acting quickly,

team building,

decision making

and non-structured thinking.”

Kids Prov 123^©Concept created by Susan Cunningham August 1, 2013

I love it!!

Jun29

My Son Gets Funnier Ever Day!!

Posted on June 29, 2014 by sagescenery

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Here’s the link to a great News-Press article and interview about Stage 2 Improv!!

http://www.news-press.com/story/entertainment/2014/06/20/stage-improv-brings-funny-downtown-naples/11000603/

Stage 2 Improv brings the funny to downtown Naples

Charles Runnells, crunnells@news-press.com

“Sometimes you just don’t know,”

says Debrowski, 23, of Punta Gorda.

“And that’s the thing about improv.

You can’t be afraid to fail.

That’s where the funny often comes from:

failing and failing big.

You don’t know what’s going to happen

a second from now,

two seconds from now,”

Debrowski says.

“It could be anything.”

We’re all having great fun with this thing that he does!!

The Naples Players are awesome!

I love Old Naples! The Sugden Theater is beautiful!

The Stage 2 Improv cast members are characters!!

Casey, the comedy wizard!

Great Friends!

Me with our good neighbors!

Hubby took a nap, so he could come out to see the show!!

Great show, Casey!!

Crazy buddies!!

Stage 2 Improv cast members: Rosie, Steve, and Synthia cutting up after the show!!

More crazy, fun friends!!

Beautiful theater!

With beautiful orchids!!

It was a great summer run!!

Hilarious fun!!

I loved it…

And look forward to many more shows!!

“Laughter is like an instant vacation.”

-Joyce Meyer-

Amen!

Nov9

Stage 2 Improv!! They’re Back!! Go See It!!

Posted on November 9, 2013 by sagescenery

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Stage 2 Improv has been so widely popular,

My son’s in the show!!

Saturdays @ 8 pm and Sundays @ 2pm

January 4th/5th, 11th/12th, 18th/19th, 25th/26th

Because they’re “so widely popular.”

http://www.naplesillustrated.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.details&content_id=2214

“Laugh until you cry with Stage 2 Improv.”

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students under 18.

Call 239-263-7990

Or purchase online at www.naplesplayers.org.

Location

Sugden Community Theatre

701 5th Ave. S.

Naples, FL 34102

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/jul/23/curtain-up-stage-2-improv-troupe-keep-the-laughs/

“For 20 dollars you can go downtown

and see a group of personable,

quick-witted young (or at least young-ish)

performers play the improv game…

If you have been to improv,

you know the drill.

Audience members contribute ideas —

celebrity names, vegetables, places —

and then the cast has to do something with them…

So go…and have some goofy fun.”

Mike Santos, Kat Ebaugh, and Meg Pryor

Meg and Judith talk about the benefits of Leg Hair Removal

Brad Goetz, Bukki Sittler, and Guy Glover

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Improvisational_theatre

“Improvisational theatre…

often allows an interactive relationship with the audience.

Improv groups frequently solicit suggestions from the audience as a source of inspiration,

a way of getting the audience involved, and as a means of proving that the performance is not scripted.

That charge is sometimes aimed at the masters of the art,

whose performances can seem so detailed that viewers may suspect the scenes are planned.

In order for an improvised scene to be successful,

the improvisers involved must work together responsively to define the parameters and action of the scene,

in a process of co-creation.

With each spoken word or action in the scene, an improviser makes an offer,

meaning that he or she defines some element of the reality of the scene.

This might include giving another character a name, identifying a relationship, location,

or using mine to define the physical environment.

These activities are also known as endowment.

It is the responsibility of the other improvisers to accept the offers that their fellow performers make;

to not do so is known as blocking, negation, or denial,

which usually prevents the scene from developing.

Some performers may deliberately block (or otherwise break out of character) for comedic effect—

this is known as gagging—

but this generally prevents the scene from advancing and is frowned upon by many improvisers.

Accepting an offer is usually accompanied by adding a new offer, often building on the earlier one;

this is a process improvisers refer to as “Yes, And…”

and is considered the cornerstone of improvisational technique.

Every new piece of information added helps the improvisers to refine their characters and progress the action of the scene.

The unscripted nature of improv also implies no predetermined knowledge about the props that might be useful in a scene.

Improv companies may have at their disposal some number of readily accessible props that can be called upon at a moment’s notice,

but many improvisers eschew props in favor of the infinite possibilities available through mime.

In improv,

this is more commonly known as ‘space object work’ or ‘space work’, not ‘mime’,

and the props and locations created by this technique, as ‘space objects’.

As with all improv offers,

improvisers are encouraged to respect the validity and continuity of the imaginary environment

defined by themselves and their fellow performers;

this means, for example, taking care not to walk through the table

or “miraculously” survive multiple bullet wounds from another improviser’s gun.

Because improvisers may be required to play a variety of roles without preparation,

they need to be able to construct characters quickly with physicality, gesture, accents, voice changes,

or other techniques as demanded by the situation.

The improviser may be called upon to play a character of a different age or sex.

Character motivations are an important part of successful improv scenes,

and improvisers

must therefore attempt to act according to the objectives that they believe their character seeks.”

Hey, this is hard work…

But soooo much fun!!

And for more laughs…

Follow them to…

Marco Island!

http://islandtheatercompany.com/stage2improv/

February 14 & 15 and March 21 & 22
Evening Shows 7:30 p.m.

Island Theater Company

Marco Island’s Community Theater

info@theateronmarco.com or 239-394-0080

LOL

You will not be disappointed!!

Really…

You’ll be…

Laughing Out Loud!!

Isaiah 61:10

“I delight greatly in the Lord;

my soul rejoices in my God.”

Ecclesiastes 3:4

“…a time to laugh…”

Amen!

Jul27

Boo Hoo! Stage 2!!

Posted on July 27, 2013 by sagescenery

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This was my last time to see Stage 2 Improv…

Tonight’s their last show!

Boo Hoo!

So I took their photo to remember them by:

Thursday, July 25th’s Cast of

Stage 2 Improv,

includes:

(Back row, left to right): Rosie Spinosa, Steven Johnson

(Front row, left to right): Casey Debrowski (my son!), Judith Gangi Santos, Michael Santos,

Synthia DuBose, Kate Ebaugh, Christy McLaughlin (music coordinator)

The shows were great!

Perfectly funny!!

“Stage 2 Improv has been so widely popular…

It’s a Naples-based improvisational theatre group

featuring scenes, games and songs

that are created right before your very eyes!

If you liked the television show Who’s Line is it Anyway?

and the improv troop The Second City,

you’ll love this!

The actors utilize information given by the audience to build the show!

Every scene and game is driven by suggestions from the audience.

Some games may even feature audience participation!

You never know what an evening will bring,

which makes each show different from the next.”

See more at:

http://www.fifthavenuesouth.com/the-naples-players-presents-stage-2-improv-2/

The cast is hilarious!

Keep checking their web-site for future craziness dates!!

http://stage2improv.net/

“The Naples Players

continues to provide respite from the summer doldrums here in steamy Naples….

For 15 dollars you can go downtown

and see a group of personable,

quick-witted young (or at least young-ish)

performers play the improv game…

I’m rather in awe of the quickness on display here…

So go,

lighten up,

get out of your air-conditioned cave,

venture to Fifth Avenue South

and have some goofy fun.”

For the entire review in Collier Citizen, go to:

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/jul/23/curtain-up-stage-2-improv-troupe-keep-the-laughs/?citizen=1

Even good things must come to an end!

Though I’m praying they’ll come to teach our drama team…

All their funny antics!!

Psalm 119:96

“To all perfection I see a limit,

but Your commands are boundless.”

Jul18

My Son’s Funny Face Is In The Paper!!

Posted on July 18, 2013 by sagescenery

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Casey newspaper0001

And in addition to funny faces…

He and the entire cast of Stage 2 Improv also have…

Wits, brains, and comic timing!!

And..

They know how to get a laugh!!!

To see another funny photo, go to:

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/jun/07/review-stage-2-improv-naples-players-tickets/

To view of video of one of their rehearsals, go to:

http://www.news-press.com/VideoNetwork/2421152101001/Stage-2-Improv-brings-the-funny-to-Sugden-Theatre

To see publicity shots, go to:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152321280806953.1073741835.29000631952&type=1

“The show is directed by Michael Santos and Judith Gangi Santos

(co-founders of the former Naples City Improv).

Stage 2 Improv features scenes, games, and songs

that are driven from suggestions by the audience.

Each show is created on the spot,

So no two shows are ever alike.

The Stage 2 cast includes:

JamieLynn Bucci, Kat Ebaugh, Judith Gangi Santos, Brad Goetz,

Steven Johnson, Randy Jones, Meg Pryor, Michael Santos,

Nancy Swartz, Casey Debrowski, Synthia Dubose, Guy Clover,

Bukki Sittler, Rosie Spinosa and Corey Walker.

Performances will be Thursday – Saturday at 8 p.m.

at Sugden Community Theatre.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students to 18.

The theatre is at 701 5th Avenue South, Naples.

Visit naplesplayers.org or call 239-263-7990.”

http://www.news-press.com/article/20130614/ENT/306140015/Naples-based-Stage-2-Improv-adds-show-dates

“IF YOU GO…

WHAT: 90 minute, fast-paced show with local actor/comedians in silly games, skits and nonsense riddles.

SOMETHING ELSE: Don’t be shy, don’t suggest boring things, and always say the first thing that comes to your mind.”

http://ftmyersnaples.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Reviews-STAGE-2-IMPROV-Laughs-into-Naples-20130608#

“Co-Director, Mike Santos carries a large portion of the show;

his infectious energy feels like a live wire

let loose into his fellow cast members and the crowd.

Whether emceeing the silly skits

or trying to guess

how you speed-walk

with otters as shoes,

he makes the show.”

A sample question to the audience:

“What do you like to do?”

“Uh.”

“Walk on the beach?”

Go ahead…

Try to make a zany skit out of that!

But, the cast can do it!!!

“These are the dangers of audience participation.

Especially in Southwest Florida.”

Ha!

http://www.gonaples.com/news/2013/jun/07/review-stage-2-improv-naples-players-tickets/

Photo:

http://www.news-press.com/article/20130621/ENT/306210038/Things-do-Southwest-Florida

“We are proud of our show

and what we have accomplished so far,”

Mr. Santos says.

“We’re grateful and excited for the continued support of the community.”

http://naples.floridaweekly.com/news/2013-07-11/Arts_%28and%29_Entertainment_News/Improv_troupe_adds_performances.html

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/stagedoorblog

Proverbs 15:30

“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,

and good news gives health to the bones.”

Amen!!

Scenic Old Naples!!

Jun24

Stage 2 Improv…You Got Me Out Of My Funk!! Ha!

Posted on June 24, 2013 by sagescenery

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I Love You!

http://stage2improv.net/index.html

http://www.marcoislandflorida.com/article/20130614/ENT/306140015/Naples-based-Stage-2-Improv-adds-show-dates

http://www.news-press.com/article/20130531/ENT/305310024/Stage-2-Improv-opens-Naples

https://www.facebook.com/Stage2Improv

And apparently others do, too!

Extended by popular demand!

Thursday to Saturday-8 pm

July 11th-13th, July 18th-20th, and July 25th-27th

Yipee!!

I went down on Friday night with my son to see the show a second time…

Hubby stayed home this time ’cause it was too late for him..

I finished a long day of summer cleaning….

Ugh!

Rushed to get ready…

We’re meeting friends there…

He had rehearsal, so I went backstage with my son…

We peeked into the other theater, and saw a dress rehearsal for Les Miserables!

Talked to cast members, watched them putting on makeup, rearranging chairs and stuff…

They got kicked out of the hallway, because it’s a fire hazard to be there…

Since the cast from Les Miserables took over the dressing room!

Then, I went to get my ticket, and chill before the show…

(No complimentary ticket from my son for the second time! Ha!)

Got to the box office, and said to the nice lady…

“I’d like one ticket please.”

She looked at me so sweetly and said,“Sold out!”

What!?!?!?!?

I thought she was kidding!

“It’s a very good thing,”

She said…

“Of course it is, I understand that, but…

“My son’s in this show!”

I whined…

Gee, doesn’t that mean anything???

The sweet lady at the box office was sympathetic, but helpless to help me…

So I did what any mature person would do…

I sulked!!

I walked backstage to tell my son I wasn’t going to get to see his show…

The director said…

“Do you want to be in the show???”

This is why these people are so funny!!

They say crazy stuff like that!

I was so desperate, I almost said,

“YES!!!”

‘Til my sanity came back…

And I quietly sat down on a couch in the lobby…

And read my Kindle!

I’ve been reading a great book by Pastor Bill Johnson…

Called…

When Heaven Invades Earth

It’s an awesome book…

About having dominion from God to take authority over the enemy…

In all situations…

Knowing we have the authority in Christ Jesus, and then using it!

Amen!

But I just couldn’t concentrate…

I thought…

“Well, I rode an hour and a half with my son to get here….

Cut my summer cleaning time short (okay, that’s pushing it…really!!)

And now I’m going to have to find something else to do in Naples for 2 and a half hours!”

No problem!

It’s a beautiful area…

I have my Kindle…

I have my camera…

I can walk up and down 5th Avenue…

Looking in shops…

Going to Starbucks…

Taking photos…

While mingling with the tourists…

It will be a piece of cake!!

But…

I want to see the show again!!

Woe is me 😦

The box office lady told me to come back at 8 pm…

But, she warned me she had no hopes for me getting a ticket!

So, I shut down the Kindle at 7:30 pm…

Went to the bathroom…

And prayed!!

“Dear Jesus…

Please…

I don’t want anyone to be sick, or have a car accident, or anything…

But, if someone simply could not use their ticket…

I would so appreciate it!!”

I was really in a bad funk!

First, from working all year, so that my house is a total wreck…

And I was cleaning all day to try to make a little dent into the major overhaul it needs…

And now, I’m going to miss my son in this show that makes me laugh so hard…

That I can forget my funk!!

My dejected, sulking mood…

So, I kinda just slowly walked to the box office…

And the lovely box office lady looked up at me…

And whispered…

“See that couple???

They don’t have two tickets…

So they might want to sell one…

I can’t get involved…

But, if you want to talk to them, go ahead!!”

“Yes, Yes, Yes!”

I say…

The wife had gone inside to tell someone, that they’re not coming in to see the show…

The husband says…

“It’s her ticket I have to wait ’til she comes out!”

More praying…

Dear Jesus!!

More waiting…

Then out she comes…

Looks at the dear box office lady…

And says…

“Yea, go ahead, do whatever you want with the ticket!”

Box office lady looks at me…

And I say to the pretty lady…

“Can I buy the ticket from you?”

And the lovely, beautifully dressed lady…

Says, as she and her husband walk away…

“No, just take it!!”

“Thank you, Thank you!”

I say…

Hallelujah!!

And Yippee!!

Praise God!

There ya go, enemy!!!

How’s that for answered prayer!!

And taking dominion over my situation!

Ha!

I proudly…

I mean proudly!!!

Walked to the stage door up to the ticket collector…

And presented my favor from God!!

When she gave me back my ticket stub…

I practically danced to my seat!

Don’t you just love God for His goodness?!?

The show was amazing!

I laughed and laughed…

Our friends laughed and laughed…

All the people in the audience…

And the adorable 3rd grade little girl siting next to me…

Laughed and laughed…

One our friends was called up on stage to do sound effects for whatever the cast was acting out…

Very funny stuff!

Oh, you should go…

I highly recommend it!!

Go see it!!

It’s different every time!

The cast is remarkable…

They play off each other so well!

You’ll love the directors, too!!

But, make sure you go on-line first….

TO GET A TICKET!!!

‘Cause they’re selling out each night!

After the show…

We all went to Fridays for a bite to eat…

They’re truly a “fun” group!

Two of our friends from Sarasota joined us at Fridays…

When we were done eating….

They left shortly before we did…

It was already late, and they had a longer ride home…

After we got on the road, they called…

They had a flat tire and were stuck on the side of highway!

We found them and stopped to help…

But, soon realized that not one of us knew how to change a tire!!

My cop husband says it’s dangerous to do that, anyway…

People get killed…

Our friend’s Dad told her to just leave the car, have us drive her to the next exit, and get off the highway…

So again, I’m praying….

“Lord, please do not allow a creepy person to stop to help us…

Please give us traveling mercies and keep us safe!”

Just then…

A state trooper came up behind us with his flashing lights on…

To ask us if we were having trouble!!

An angel…

He had to check on another car, but would come right back…

TO CHANGE THE TIRE FOR US!!

What?!?!?

My husband’s a retired cop…

So, of course, we called him and woke him up at 12:30 pm at night…

Only seems right, huh???

But he doesn’t believe us…

Because he’s NEVER EVER heard of a state trooper changing a tire!!!

The trooper had a jack and that air pump thing to inflate the spare tire…

What???

My husband couldn’t believe it!!

This “take-dominion-stuff” really works…

Thank you, Jesus!!

Oh, God, You are good!

It was not an easy job…

The trooper worked long and hard because the tire was in shreds and difficult to get off…

He was oh, so close to the line separating the highway with speeding cars, and the shoulder…

I just felt compelled to pray again…

“Dear God, please keep this trooper safe…

Don’t let him get hit by a car while helping us!”

Actually, in FL, a new law states that you must pull into another lane if you see a a police car with lights flashing…

Awesome, what a great law!!

Our friend got her spare tire out, and the trooper finished the rescue…

He told my son that not too many other troopers are set up to change tires…

Angel in disguise!

He said she should be able to get 150 miles on the spare if she drove 5o miles per hour…

It was already late…

And the girl who drove down with her, had to be at work at 7 am…

So she slept through the whole thing in the back seat!

Well, I slept ’til 11:30 am that morning…

And I feel great!

God is good!

The show was great!

And I’m out of my funk!!

Wait!

Gotta go and check on our friend to see if she got home yet!!

Jun14

It’s A Hit!!

Posted on June 14, 2013 by sagescenery

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Photo: http://www.news-press.com/article/20130531/ENT/305310024/Stage-2-Improv-opens-Naples

The Reviews are in!!

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/jun/07/review-stage-2-improv-naples-players-tickets/

“Maybe improv does have a future in Naples.

Stage 2 Improv – “the next stage of comedy” (insert eye roll here) –

served up a loud, lively, way-better-than-I expected debut

in the Naples Players’ black box space Friday night.

There are some funny folks roaming the streets.

And not just the actors!”

http://www.news-press.com/article/20130614/ENT/306140015/Naples-based-Stage-2-Improv-adds-show-dates

“Stage 2 Improv,

a Naples-based improvisational theater group,

has added dates to its performance schedule

at Sugden Community Theatre.

June 20 has been added,

as well as July 11-13,

July 18-20

and July 25-27.

The show is directed by Michael Santos and Judith Gangi Santos

(co-founders of the former Naples City Improv).

Stage 2 Improv features scenes, games and songs

that are driven from suggestions by the audience.

Each show is created on the spot,

so no two shows are ever alike.

The Stage 2 cast includes:

JamieLynn Bucci, Kat Ebaugh, Judith Gangi Santos, Brad Goetz, Steven Johnson, Randy Jones, Meg Pryor, Michael

Santos and Nancy Swartz. Interns for the show include Casey Debrowski (My son!!!), Synthia Dubose, Guy Clover,

Bukki Sittler, Rosie Spinosa and Corey Walker.

Performances will be Thursday – Saturday at 8 p.m.

at Sugden Community Theatre.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students to 18.

The theatre is at 701 5th Avenue South, Naples.

Visit naplesplayers.org

or call 239-263-7990.”

The comedy at Stage 2 is strong. Exceptionally so. Stage 2 cast well, looking not for acting skills or pretty faces, but wits, brains and comic timing. Robin Williams these kids are not – but they know how to get a laugh. You try to mime scrubbing a toilet with a cucumber and spit? Or peeling a cactus with a pair of dentures? F

http://ftmyersnaples.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Reviews-STAGE-2-IMPROV-Laughs-into-Naples-20130608

http://www.naplesplayers.org/show1_0.html

Read the entire review at:

http://www.gonaples.com/news/2013/jun/07/review-stage-2-improv-naples-players-tickets/

“Make full my joy,

that ye be of the same mind,

having the same love,

being of one accord…”

Philippians 2:2

Oh!!

Go ahead…

And enjoy a good laugh!!!

Even the Bible can be funny!!

Funny Bible Verses, Quotes, and Sayings…

“It is better to live alone in the desert

than with a crabby, complaining wife.”

Proverbs 21:19

“There is more hope for a foo

than for someone who speaks without thinking.

Proverbs 29:20

“Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture

they do not understand,

but the passages that bother me

are those I do understand.”

Mark Twain

“My ancestors wandered

lost in the wilderness for 40 years

because even in Biblical times,

men would not stop to ask for directions.”

Elayne Boosler

“The Bible tells us to love our neighbors,

and also to love our enemies;

probably because they are generally the same people.”

Gilbert K. Chesterton

It’s going to be fun to watch and see how long the meek

can keep the earth after they inherit it.

Kin Hubbard

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/funny-bible-verses.html

Stage 2 Improv has been so widely popular, we’ve added a June 20th performance at 8:00 pm and three July weekends! Thur – Sat, July 11-13, 18-20 & 25-27 8:00 pm

Stage 2 Improv is a Naples-based improvisational theatre group featuring scenes, games and songs that are created right before your very eyes! If you liked the television show Who’s Line is it Anyway? and the improv troop The Second City, you’ll love this! The actors utilize information given by the audience to build the show! Every scene and game is driven by suggestions from the audience. Some games may even feature audience participation! You never know what an evening will bring, which makes each show different from the next.