The Power of Improv: CCL & "Yes and"
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CHICAGO CITY LIMITS
THE POWER OF "YES"
Learning how to say “yes and” changed my life. Too often in life, we are not given permission to be creative, whether it’s at work – when a colleague shoots down a half-formed idea rather than building on it – or at home –where you may find you’re battling with your spouse because neither of you can say “yes” to even a part of the other’s idea.
I want to demonstrate the "power of yes" by making a film about Chicago City Limits, the troupe that got me hooked on improv. The group’s story epitomizes what improv is all about.
The film will tell the history of CCL – of group of seven Chicago improvisers who, In 1979, risked it all, rented a van, and headed East to test the waters in New York City.. Over the next three decades, CCL become the premier comedy group in the city, garnered a trove of rave reviews and awards, with a remarkable run of over 10,000 performances. Through its members’ belief in “the power of “yes” Chicago City Limits helped alter the comedy landscape of the city, training and inspiring a whole generation of improv actors and comedians.
The film will offer the CCL story – illustrated with archival performance footage - and will tell how improv has changed people's lives.
You can help make this movie a reality by contributing - $5, $10, $100, $500 – whatever you can spare. Help our experienced team create this exciting film. I am thrilled to be working with Paul Zuckerman, my co-producer on the film, who has been running Chicago City Limits since 1983.
My background: I have been studying improv since 1982, teaching it since 1987, and running the Sunday Night Improv comedy jam since 1993. I have also written a book on improv with CCL founding member Carol Schindler, A DOCTOR AND A PLUMBER IN A ROWBOAT, which Kirkus Reviews called "a colorful, spirited gem." And I have two award-winning documentaries under my belt.
Thank you so much!
Tom
THE POWER OF "YES"
Learning how to say “yes and” changed my life. Too often in life, we are not given permission to be creative, whether it’s at work – when a colleague shoots down a half-formed idea rather than building on it – or at home –where you may find you’re battling with your spouse because neither of you can say “yes” to even a part of the other’s idea.
I want to demonstrate the "power of yes" by making a film about Chicago City Limits, the troupe that got me hooked on improv. The group’s story epitomizes what improv is all about.
The film will tell the history of CCL – of group of seven Chicago improvisers who, In 1979, risked it all, rented a van, and headed East to test the waters in New York City.. Over the next three decades, CCL become the premier comedy group in the city, garnered a trove of rave reviews and awards, with a remarkable run of over 10,000 performances. Through its members’ belief in “the power of “yes” Chicago City Limits helped alter the comedy landscape of the city, training and inspiring a whole generation of improv actors and comedians.
The film will offer the CCL story – illustrated with archival performance footage - and will tell how improv has changed people's lives.
You can help make this movie a reality by contributing - $5, $10, $100, $500 – whatever you can spare. Help our experienced team create this exciting film. I am thrilled to be working with Paul Zuckerman, my co-producer on the film, who has been running Chicago City Limits since 1983.
My background: I have been studying improv since 1982, teaching it since 1987, and running the Sunday Night Improv comedy jam since 1993. I have also written a book on improv with CCL founding member Carol Schindler, A DOCTOR AND A PLUMBER IN A ROWBOAT, which Kirkus Reviews called "a colorful, spirited gem." And I have two award-winning documentaries under my belt.
Thank you so much!
Tom
Organizer
Thomas Soter
Organizer
New York, NY
