You just never know what’s going to happen when you give a monkey a button.
Or so goes the thinking of a group of Okanagan-based performers from a newly revised improvisational troupe.
Formerly known as Full Frontal, Monkey with a Button rehearses their sometimes simian-like, non-rehearsed antics at their new home at the Vernon Community Arts Centre, with a monthly, open-to-the-public performance.
And anyone is welcome to join in the fun. That includes those who have never had any theatre, comedy or improvisational experience on the stage.
“I tend to stay in my shell most of the time unless I’m forced out of it,” said Travis Dubois, who first experienced improv after seeing Full Frontal perform at its former home in The Hub Arts Collective.
“I saw the show one night and loved it.”
“We are exploring new styles of improv aside from the typical theatre sports and Whose Line is it Anyways? type of routine, and branching out to offer more traditional long-form based sketches that are still made up entirely on the spot inspired by audience suggestion,” said Monkey member Steve Braun, who joins fellow Vernonites Matt Brown and Ben McLean as well as Kelowna’s Chris Froese, Mark Reinelt and Bonnie Esson in the troupe.
Full Frontal was born more than two years ago when it found a home at the former theatre/arts space The Hub Arts Collective in downtown Vernon.
“I wanted to keep it going and offer something to the community that wasn’t there before,” said Brown, who owned and operated The Hub. “Before with The Hub we had a $5 drop-in fee where people could come and jam. We had great success.”
Braun, who played Danny Zuko in Powerhouse Theatre’s 2010 production of Grease, was one of the first members to join Full Frontal. McLean joined around the time he and Froese starred in the award-winning play The Woman in Black (directed by Brown) in 2012 at Powerhouse.
“The Vernon Community Arts Centre offered us a space after The Hub closed down,” said McLean. “We now offer a place for those interested to drop in for free, to watch or participate.”
“We also decided to change our name to appeal to a broader audience, as we felt the name Full Frontal was a bit misleading and perhaps jeopardizing the demographic we are hoping to attract,” added Braun. “We like to keep our shows as PG-13 as possible, and as we take on more corporate gigs in the community, we felt a name change was necessary.”
For those who feel a tad intimidated to get on stage without a script, Brown says it’s not as scary as one might think. He compares the experience to that of the first day of kindergarten.
“Hats off to the teachers who are able to make the kids comfortable and get their creativity charged. If you come jam with us and are interested, we will find a way to integrate you into the show,” he said.
You don’t have to be an actor to do improv, although some people who have got up to perform do find themselves taking on more theatrical experiences.
“It’s not like traditional theatre where you have to take directions, learn lines and blocking,” said Froese. “Improv is different as it is not yourself playing a character, it’s about being in that moment. Eighty per cent of us make successful improvisers. It’s just about getting up there. Most think you have to be funny, but it’s about being honest.”
“It’s also about not being afraid of making mistakes,” added Braun.
Dubois can relate. He remembers the very first time he stood outside The Hub to make his improv debut.
“I remember being nervous standing there cracking as many jokes as I could… I looked up to them and was super inspired. I am still stupid nervous about it, but doing improv has got me excited about performing.”
Monkey with A Button launches its first public performance Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. at its new home in the Vernon Community Arts Centre, located at the east entrance of Polson Park, beside the Okanagan Science Centre. Tickets are $10 at the door. The troupe also meets Wednesday evenings at the VCAC to rehearse. Drop-in for those curious is free.
