Puppets and Long Form

So the last Three rehearsals… Eep, I know I’m behind… So the last three rehearsals for the Great Puppet Musical have focused mainly on long-form. Now “long-form” improvisation has many forms. In San Francisco, “long-form” means a full 2 hour show with one story arch, much like a play. Sure there may be sub-plots and side characters, but for the most part we’re following the emotional journey of one protagonist.

This is very different from many other “long-form” improv formats. A Harold, developed by the great Del Close, is called a “long-form”. Personally, I can’t stand Harolds and find them to be short-form improv masquerading as long-form in a way that isn’t particularly satisfying for me as a performer or as an audience member. But, there are those people out there who love Harolds. There are entire improv companies, successful improv companies such as Improv Olympic, essentially founded on the Harold as a format.

But I digress. The Great Puppet Musical is not a Harold. It’s a 2 hour, single story-arch, musical complete with singing and dancing. After the last few rehearsals, I think we as an ensemble are going to tell some kick ass stories.

We’ve had a tortured puppet painter who falls in love with the woman at the art store and has to battle his way out of his brother’s shadow.

We’ve had the wall-flower puppet at the office who finally breaks out of her shell.

And that was just last night. I can’t wait to get up in front of an audience and see what comes out!