Mark Duncanson

Teen Improv Just Keeps Getting Better!

2012-01-10T17:14:00.000-08:00

It’s happening friends, great teen improvisers are coming together to bring the public great teen improv. In February, Creatures of Impulse will be playing with improv teams from Hillsdale and Aragon High Schools. They are directed by legendary improviser and BATS staffer Lisa Rowland. Yep, you read correctly—a team of teen improvisers directed by Lisa… I know… I’m freaking out with excitement!

I hope you can come and see some fun improv brought to you by some talented kids! See my “upcoming events” section for more info. And if you are a teen improviser... I challenge you to elevate the teen improv universe by expanding yours!

Been a while

2012-01-10T17:05:00.000-08:00

Wow, I really let my blog go, huh?

It's Teen Improv-- only better!

2009-06-01T23:13:00.000-07:00

I direct a group of teen improvisors called, Creatures of Impulse. They just finished a run of an improv format called “…The Impossible Film Project”; made popular by San Francisco based improv group The Un-Scripted Theater Company. It was fun-- lots of fun! three teams of improvisors get suggestions from a live audience and shoot three short films that night. The audience then watches each movie scene by scene minutes after the actors shoot them

I started COI in order to spread my love of Long-form improv and fire kids up about the arts. That and to take teen improv out of the stereotypical doldrums from whence it has been festering. Keeping in mind that I was once in High School, I seem to recall being VERY mediocre back in the day. There was not much substance in the improv I did. There were mostly a bunch of inside jokes, self-indulgent one-liners, and an occasional reference to a popular SNL sketch (mostly a Deep Thought, or a poorly executed Chris Farley impression). I say that to get to this; the kids in COI are good, like—better-than-most kids good!

These kids tackle formats most adult troupes couldn’t dream of performing. Even I am constantly impressed by what these kids and handle. I’m just wondering what we do to energize the teen improv scene even more in the Bay Area. I know we have comedy competitions and high school theater festivals. I mean, let’s raise the proverbial bar and get some improv-as-theater type stuff going on.

How do we get these kids fired up about just being great actors in improv and away from just going for the laugh? I am a firm believer that improv does not have to be funny—it’s nice when it is, but playing-for-real is perfectly fine and encouraged. I have a couple of kids in COI who support that philosophy; I see big things for them.

Baby

2008-09-24T00:32:00.000-07:00

Babies take a bunch of work, huh? Almost four months and counting.

Any of the voices sound familiar?

2008-05-16T07:04:00.000-07:00

I happened upon these online recently. I was wondering about this voice gig I did.

Iron Man

2008-05-06T00:40:00.000-07:00

My friends and family will probably tell you I am a sucker for any superhero movie. Well, they would be right with the exception of the most recent Fantastic Four endeavors—horrible! Lisa and I went to see Iron Man this weekend and it should come as no surprise that I loved it.

Iron Man has managed to knock out all the Spider-Man movies (and I LOVED Spider-Man). The X-Men movies hold a special place in my heart, but Iron Man has aced them out as well.

Before I get into some kind of geek-fest, let me end this entry by simply stating: Iron Man was effing awesome. The story, Robert Downy Jr., the directing and the special fx; just fun! See it NOW! And stay tuned for the Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton scheduled for a release of June 13th. Tony Stark (Iron Man) makes an appearance in I-Hulk, I wonder if the Ultimate Avengers will really take form in Captain America in ‘09.

New Kapadokia: The Return

2008-04-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

The Saturday after Check, Please! Bay Area aired; Lisa and I thought we would head back to New Kapadokia in Redwood City with friends Lia and Bjorn, to congratulate the owner on a job well done. We thought Jay came across so well on camera; very friendly, approachable and honest.

Early in the day, I gave the restaurant a call to make reservations. I had already planned to stay “below the radar” and not let Jay Alpay, the owner, know that I was the one on the show. I knew I might be taking a chance on reservations as Check, Please had aired the night before. Jay was the one who answered the phone, I was playing it cool as he explained that his restaurant was featured on KQED and he had to navigate his way through the 24 calls on his machine. He further explained that he would call me back to let me know if they had availability. Then, after asking my time preference, he asked, “What is your name?” Ugh, I was done, do I give him a fake name or just my first name? Feeling that I was over-thinking it, I simply said, “Mark.” That was it, that’s all he needed to hear. Now keep in mind, the two times I went to his restaurant before the show aired, I couldn’t tell him a thing about the show, He had no clue what my M.O. was until he himself saw the show Friday night.

“Mark? Is this him? Th-th-the black gentlemen that was on the show?” I reluctantly responded in the affirmative. Jay was so effing nice, explaining how happy he was that I and KQED “put him on the map”. He then said the words that I was embarrassed to hear, “Mark, anytime, you don’t need to call, your table will be ready tonight!” Although embarrassed, I did feel a bit like a rock star. Jay further explained that it is tradition in Turkey to greet friends with a kiss on the cheeks and asked if that was okay. Knowing the tradition already, I answered “Yes.”

When we arrived, New Kapadokia was hopping! As I walked in, Jay and I made eye contact and gave the celebratory “There he is” man-point from the across the room. It was then that we heard applause from restaurant patrons which my wife is convinced were for me, but I still think they were clapping for someone’s birthday. Making our way to our table, people were staring, smiling and pointing. One woman stopped me and said, “There’s the reason we’re here tonight kids!” I have to say, I was feeling pretty “Hollywood” so far.

The night was filled with people thanking me for the suggestion of the restaurant, telling me that I “…missed my calling”, and asking how I got on the show. One guy just sat down in Bjorn’s chair when he got up to use the restroom and struck up a conversation. It was so fun! I don’t have to tell you, the food was great, the company of Lia and Bjorn was fantastic and the many patrons of New Kapadokia I met that night were friendly and dare I say, ego-filling. I asked Jay if there was a lot of response from the show. He pointed out the tables of patrons that were there as a result of the show and told me that about 85% of business that night was from Check, Please! Bay Area.

Jay took me on a tour of the restaurant, explaining that they will be undergoing renovations to add bathrooms, and increase the space in the kitchen. Fear not, I am to understand that they will be open during renovations.

Well, this has been some rollercoaster ride; I am not ready to get off yet. The 24 hours after the show have been filled with excitement and a BUNCH of emails and calls from people suggesting that I get my own show. Well, let’s give it a shot!

Oh and don’t wait, get out to Redwood City and see Jay at New Kapadokia. I recommend, well, everything on the menu. Tell him Mark from Check, Please! sent you.

Episode #302, Baby!

2008-04-12T00:41:00.000-07:00

Boy, I was so excited to see episode #302 of Check, Please! It’s weird seeing myself up on the TV all big and orange. Hey, my wife thinks I’m hot, that’s enough for me. Seeing the episode reminded me of how fun it was to be at the KQED studios shooting the episode. I do have to say that Modesto, Rachel, Leslie and I had some really great one-liners that got edited out, but that’s getting picky. Oh that and I must tell you that contrary to what it may seem in the episode, my wife Lisa was NOT at all impressed with Aperto (Modesto’s pick) and I do recall having some banter about Rachel and Lisa needing to go to Aperto and hate it together.

Let me know what you thought of the episode, gang.

I like to eat and the Bay Area's gonna hear about it!

2008-04-06T02:50:00.000-07:00

I have finally found a forum that combines my sick need to be the center of attention and my unhealthy love affair with food – a show called, Check, Please! Bay Area on KQED Channel 9 in San Francisco, California. This show hosts three average (used loosely) folks to share a restaurant (each) in the hopes that the other two folks don’t totally hate the one you brought to the table. The show is hosted by Leslie Sbrocco, I local wine connoisseur and writer who, as it turns out, is quite a fashion statement as well.

Did I mention that I am on an upcoming episode (see the info on the right of your screen for details)? Well, I am, however, in the interest of keeping the experience fresh, I will not be divulging any “behind-the-scenes” secrets revealing the magic that is KQED. Well, here’s one secret, the entire CPBA crew was professional, friendly and gives great hugs. That, and I am pretty sure that myself and fellow CPBA guest, Modesto were a part of the most expensive CPBA experience to date – I’m willing to bet on that fact!

Stay tuned for more info about my CPBA experience and don’t forget to post your questions and comments, as well as suggestions on your picks for fantastic eateries where you live, right here at MarkDuncanson.com!