Muprov Musings: Exceptionally Average Improv
Muprov Musings: Exceptionally Average Improv, is a podcast that teaches Long-form, Narrative, Theatrical, Improvisation, or as we call it: Muprov. The hosts, Hal Munger and Julian Bernado are experienced and innovative Muprovisors, who are excited to spread the word about their favorite ways of doing their favorite activity. On the show they provided practice plans that you can use for your ensemble, teach fun formats, and chat with guests who bring a wide variety of perspectives! Intro Music By Sebastian Blue Hochman
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Why Mu?
1) Mu is the greek root of words like muse and music. Ancient poets would invoke the Muses before telling an Epic story. Like an Epic, our shows are long and follow a continuous narrative.
2) Mu is a statistical symbol that represents the population average. We come from a lineage of students of Patricia Ryan Madson, who teaches the improv maxim: Be Average.
3) Mu is an important word in Zen Buddhism, meaning nothing or no. While most improv centers Yes, we believe that sometimes the best was to say Yes is to say No. Our practice involves emptying our minds to that we can be present and react our stage partner.
A NEW PLAY
Our 90-minute improvised stage play, The set, costumes, props, music, lights, and sound are all created on the spot!
Episodes
Monday Jul 15, 2024
Monday Jul 15, 2024
Hal is flying solo as the host in this one, but with an amazing international guest, Charlotte Gittens! A live, late-night, interview after an incredible show!
Dogpoodle Time Travel event 8/10:
https://fb.me/1OZjLNNOaw7YbnA
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Monday Jun 24, 2024
This is a really special episode because Henry Kandel was the first person to teach Hal improv! Kandel was improvising in Chicago in the 90s and is an artist with and unique perspective on improv that has shaped a lot of the perspectives of your hosts! We are so happy to have them on the show, and I (Hal) am eternally grateful for the four years of wisdom and experimentation that launched me on this incredible journey!
Nothing you hear on the episode is medical advice. The three of us each have different perspectives and methods of warming up for practices and shows and encourage you do what feels safe and best for you/your ensemble.
Monday Jun 17, 2024
Monday Jun 17, 2024
Cindy Ong, architect and founder of RTW kids joins the program to talk about the impact that improv can have on young people! She has grown an large independent improv school that students stay enrolled in for over a decade! There is really nothing like it right now in the world of narrative improv! So cool!!!
RTW Kids: https://rtwkids.org/mission/
My Architect Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HxB9Iu3Hbc
Monday Jun 10, 2024
Monday Jun 10, 2024
Robert Greene joins the podcast to kick off our educators series! For any parents out there with young children, we hope this episode will open you up to the power of play in raising kids! Robert is a multi-hyphenate artist so the conversation touches everything under the sun and synthesizes it all together into some beautiful wise words!
Monday Jun 03, 2024
Monday Jun 03, 2024
Our first live show!!! Full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lec-vqzpKNo
Tune in to see Hal and Julian at their peak fun, joyously playing all the characters in an unscripted Shakespeare play!!! Check out those crazy costumes! Such a great show!!! The Midnight Dance will whisk you away on a whirlwind ride and show you the power of a pickled onion!
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Tuesday May 28, 2024
We forgot to post last week, but boy do we have a good reason!!! We just finished organizing the Unscripted Shakespeare Festival! My lord it was so much fun. Sadly, the event that you are about to here about has already concluded, but the good news is that it was amazing and will hopefully happen again next year! Get ready next week to hear the first ever LIVE Muprov Musings shows. (Spoiler alert: It's a real banger)
Sunday May 12, 2024
Sunday May 12, 2024
Happy MUthers Day! One of my all-time favorite episodes for sure! Tune in to hear a full length improv show demonstration!
If anyone listening has an in with Coca-Cola or the Mormon Church, we are trying to get sponsored for this one :)
Sunday May 05, 2024
Sunday May 05, 2024
Calm vibes only on this episode as we chill our way through an invaluable improv tool. If you have never enjoyed a surgical run before, get ready for one of the best ways to get an inside scoop into our minds. It is half way between a practice run and a GIGASPINE and makes for great listening!
Monday Apr 29, 2024
Monday Apr 29, 2024
We are going back to the basics! Shout out to Ken Adams and the storyspine. Lets platform some scenes!
Sunday Apr 21, 2024
Sunday Apr 21, 2024
Most failed scenes are one side-coach away from being great. On this episode we talk through three simple coach lines that can save the day. If you practice it enough with a coach, the voice in your head will begin to remind you all by yourself!