August News and Schedule/ Classes

BACKLINE NEWS

Omaha Comedy Week-

All of Omaha’s comedians are coming together the last week in July for an amazing week of comedy.  We introduce some new teams, including The Sitcom- an improvised sitcom.  There is also a Video Sketch Competition where the top 10 are shown the final night of the festival on the large screen at Studio Gallery this Saturday. Check out omahacomedyweek.com and letspowerlunch.com to check them out and vote.

Prizes for 500 Likes-
If our facebook page gets 500 likes by 10pm on July 27th, we’re going to randomly select two that have liked it, and they will each get $50.  We will pick names at our show during Omaha Comedy Week!  Tell a friend- www.facebook.com/backlineimprov 

Thursdays, once a month-
This month we introduce our ‘888 Mark of the Improv’ happening one Thursday every month, and it’s a free show!  You get to see 88improv hold down a full hour at 8pm followed by various Backline teams that go up at 9pm.
2-Person Team Competition-
Submit your two-person team by Thursday, July 26th at 10pm by sending an email to backlineimprov@gmail.com with the subject ‘2-Person Submission’.  Participants can only submit to be in one team, so choose wisely.  Only 10 teams will be selected, and teams will be announced in the Friday show during Omaha Comedy Week.  Include both people in the team, and the team name.  The winner gets a half-hour slot August 24th.
Classes-
We have three classes coming up soon, Level 1, 2, and 3, and a Class Show for the first Sketch Level 1 this month.  Check out more info below.
Backline Improv- July Schedule

Thursday, August 2nd (free)

8:00pm- 88improv

88improv- Nate Schoenfeld, Sarah Kennedy, Steve Hydeen, and Tim Schoenfeld

9:00pm- PodProv/Chantilly Mace
PodProv- Doug Rothgeb, Eric Green, and Heather Jones
Chantilly Mace- Chel Wagoner, Elissa Ami, Heather Jones, Patricia Lilyhorn, Tracie Mauk, and Sarah Kennedy

Friday, August 3rd ($5)

9:00pm- 2-Person Competition
5 2-person teams each get 8-9 minutes to win your vote to come back August 17th.

10:00pm- Interrogated
Our weekly show featuring a rotating cast of Backline’s finest players.  Audience members volunteer to come up on stage and confess something they’ve gotten away with in their life, then we send them back and perform scenes based on that information.

11:00pm- The Arena
The second team ever to get 3 consecutive wins, ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’, goes up against a great new team called ‘TBAmeritrade’.
Tomorrow Never Knows- Chel Wagoner and Will Meinen
TBAmeritrade- Allyson Schneiderwind, Justin Johnson, Natalie Johnson, Nick Rowley, Rachel Ware, Tracie Mauk

Friday, August 10th ($5)
9:00pm- 2-Person Competition
5 2-person teams each get 8-9 minutes to win your vote to come back August 17th.

10:00pm- Interrogated
Our weekly show featuring a rotating cast of Backline’s finest players.  Audience members volunteer to come up on stage and confess something they’ve gotten away with in their life, then we send them back and perform scenes based on that information.

11:00pm- The Arena
Champions vs Challengers!  Each teams gets 20 minutes to win your vote to come back next week!


Friday, August 17th ($5)
9:00pm- 2-Person Competition Finals/ Q*bert

The winners from both nights of the 2-Person Competition.

Q*bert- Dylan Rohde, Elissa Ami, Justin Johnson, Nick Rowley, Patricia Lilyhorn, and Will Meinen
10:00pm- Interrogated
Our weekly show featuring a rotating cast of Backline’s finest players.  Audience members volunteer to come up on stage and confess something they’ve gotten away with in their life, then we send them back and perform scenes based on that information.

11:00pm- The Arena
Champions vs. Challengers!  Each teams gets 20 minutes to win your vote to come back next week!
Friday, August 24th ($5)
8:30pm- Level 1 Sketch Stage Reading
Come see stage-reading’s of the best sketches written during this class of: 
Andy Niess, Dusty Stehl, Elissa Ami, Jack Comstock, Justin Johnson, Mike Hogan, Patricia Lilyhorn, and Rachael Osborn

9:00pm-2-Person Competition Winner/ Ladies & Gentlemen

The Winner of the 2-Person Competition
Ladies & Gentlemen- Chel Wagoner, Nick Rowley, Sarah Kennedy, and Will Meinen
10:00pm- Interrogated
Our weekly show featuring a rotating cast of Backline’s finest players.  Audience members volunteer to come up on stage and confess something they’ve gotten away with in their life, then we send them back and perform scenes based on that information.

11:00pm- The Arena
Champions vs. Challengers!  Each teams gets 20 minutes to win your vote to come back next week!

Friday, August 31st ($5)
8:00pm- Level 3 Class Show
This is only the second class to take Level 3.  This is Backline’s second generation of great improvisors, and you will want to keep an eye on these guys.

9:00pm-2X2 + The Sitcom
Runner up for the 2-Person Competition splits the night with Dylan +1.
The Sitcom- Chel Wagoner, Elissa Ami, Nick Rowley, JC Morgan, Patricia Lilyhorn, and Tim Schoenfeld

10:00pm- Interrogated
Our weekly show featuring a rotating cast of Backline’s finest players.  Audience members volunteer to come up on stage and confess something they’ve gotten away with in their life, then we send them back and perform scenes based on that information.

11:00pm- The Arena
Champions vs. Challengers!  Each teams gets 20 minutes to win your vote to come back next week!

Classes
(All classes held at Studio Gallery- 4965 Dodge St.)

Level 1 Improv (Nick Rowley)- Wednesdays Starting September 5th, 7-10pm. $100
Want to learn how to create focused two person scenes that areboth fun and funny to watch?  This level will also teach you how to listen better, find patterns, and trust your instincts.  There is no pre-requisite.  Graduation Show is Friday, October 9th at 8pm at Studio Gallery.  To sign up, send an email to backlineimprov@gmail.com with the subject “Level 1 Submission”.

Level 2 Improv (Dylan Rohde)- Thursdays Starting August 16th, 7-10pm. $100 (No Class September 6th)
This level will start to teach the basic learning structure of long-form improv, The Harold.  You will learn how to bring scenes back later on in the show in a way that is more refined to have more fun and get more laughs.  Pre-requisite is Level 1 or training at a nationally known long-form improv school.  Graduation Show is Friday, October 5th at 8pm. To sign up, send an email to backlineimprov@gmail.com with the subject “Level 2 Submission”.

Level 3 Improv (Dylan Rohde)- Tuesdays Starting August 7th, 7-10pm. $100 
The full learning structure ‘The Harold’ is taught in this level, and the show as a whole starts to get it’s own personality.  More than anything, this level will teach you to trust your other performers on stage.  Pre-requisite is Level 2.  Class Shows at 8pm on August 31st and September 21st.  To sign up, send an email to backlineimprov@gmail.com with the subject “Level 3 Submission”.

(Source: backlineimprov.com)

Level 1 Sketch starts June 30th

Want to learn how to create and write ideas into quick, funny, and clear to understand sketches, for stage or video.  Saturdays from 2-5pm, $75.  Send submissions or inquiries to backlineimprov@gmail.com.

(Source: backlineimprov.com)

Introducing- Game Night!

Friday Night Comedy got an upgrade- now twice as fun!  Check out Game Night every Friday at Studio Gallery! 

(Source: facebook.com)

June Schedule

Backline Improv- June Schedule


Great shows and classes coming up, and don’t miss our upcoming Omaha Comedy Week the last week in July!  Right now, there’s a video sketch competition you can submit for by checking out omahacomedyweek.com.

Friday, June 1st-
8:30pm- 2X2 + PodProv
Spicy Fries- Nick Rowley and Sarah Kennedy
Dylan +1 featuring Heather Jones
PodProv- Dpug Rothgeb, Eric Green, and Heather Jones

9:30pm- Interrogated
Our weekly show featuring a rotating cast of Backline’s finest players.  Audience members volunteer to come up on stage and confess something they’ve gotten away with in their life, then we send them back and perform scenes based on that information.

11:00pm- EPIC
The most epic movie scores of all time play throughout every scene!  You’ll tell your grandkids of this show.  
Doug Rothgeb, Dylan Rohde, Elissa Ami, Eric Green, Justin Johnson, Nick Rowley, and Sarah Kennedy

Friday, June 8th-
8:30pm- Two Great Teams!
Ladies & Gentlemen- Chel Wagoner, Nick Rowley, Sarah Kennedy, and Will Meinen.
Q*bert- Dylan Rohde, Elissa Ami, Justin Johnson, Nick Rowley, Patricia Lilyhorn, and Will Meinen.

9:30pm- Interrogated
Our weekly show featuring a rotating cast of Backline’s finest players.  Audience members volunteer to come up on stage and confess something they’ve gotten away with in their life, then we send them back and perform scenes based on that information.

11:00pm- Cagematch
Three’s Company is going for their fifth win this Friday!  Each teams gets 20 minutes to win your vote to come back next week!

Friday, June 15th-
8:30pm- Two Great Teams!
Q*bert- Dylan Rohde, Elissa Ami, Justin Johnson, Nick Rowley, Patricia Lilyhorn, and Will Meinen.
Ladies & Gentlemen- Chel Wagoner, Nick Rowley, Sarah Kennedy, and Will Meinen.

9:00pm- Interrogated
Our weekly show featuring a rotating cast of Backline’s finest players.  Audience members volunteer to come up on stage and confess something they’ve gotten away with in their life, then we send them back and perform scenes based on that information.

11:00pm- Cagematch
Champions vs. Challengers!  Each teams gets 20 minutes to win your vote to come back next week!

Friday, June 22nd-
8:30pm- Two Great Teams!
Ladies & Gentlemen- Chel Wagoner, Nick Rowley, Sarah Kennedy, and Will Meinen.
Q*bert- Dylan Rohde, Elissa Ami, Justin Johnson, Nick Rowley, Patricia Lilyhorn, and Will Meinen.
9:00pm- Interrogated
Our weekly show featuring a rotating cast of Backline’s finest players.  Audience members volunteer to come up on stage and confess something they’ve gotten away with in their life, then we send them back and perform scenes based on that information.

11:00pm- Cagematch
Champions vs. Challengers!  Each teams gets 20 minutes to win your vote to come back next week!

Friday, June 29th-
8:30pm- Two Great Teams
PodProv- Doug Rothgeb, Eric Green, and Heather Jones
Ladies’ Team- Chel Wagoner, Elissa Ami, Heather Jones, Patricia Lilyhorn, and Sarah Kennedy.

9:00pm- Interrogated
Our weekly show featuring a rotating cast of Backline’s finest players.  Audience members volunteer to come up on stage and confess something they’ve gotten away with in their life, then we send them back and perform scenes based on that information.

11:00pm- Cagematch
Champions vs. Challengers!  Each teams gets 20 minutes to win your vote to come back next week!


Classes
(All classes held at Studio Gallery- 4965 Dodge St.)
Special Guest Workshop (Megan Grano)- Tuesday June 12th 3:30-6:30pm
A great coach who’s taught for The Second City, iO (formerly Improv Olympic,) and the Annoyance Theatre as well as the LA Improv Festival and the Del Close Marathon in New York.  She will be teaching how to be more real in a scene as well as with a group scene.  Pre-requisite is Level 1, cost is $20.  To sign up, email backlineimprov@gmail.com with the subject title “Grano Workshop”.

Level 1 Improv (Will Meinen)- Thursdays starting June 7th 7-10pm
This level teaches the basics of long-form improv and how to create a two-person scene with focus that is funny for the audience.  It also teaches you to make confident choices, say what you mean, and be comfortable in front of an audience.  The Graduation Show is at 7:30pm, July 20th.  No pre-requisite, cost is $100.  To sign up, email backlineimprov@gmail.com with the subject title ‘Level 1 Submission’.
Level 2 Improv (Dylan Rohde)- Tuesdays starting June 5th 7-10pm
This level teaches how to bring back what was great before and show it in a new light.  Multiple show openings, second and third beats, and the beginning of long-form improv’s basic learning structure- the Harold.  The Graduation Show is at 7:30pm, July 13th.  Pre-requisite- Level 1, cost is $100.  To sign up, email backlineimprov@gmail.com with the subject title ‘Level 2 Submission’.

Level 1 Sketch (Dylan Rohde)- Saturdays starting June 30th (No class June 28th for Omaha Comedy Week)
This level will teach you how to come up with an idea, find out what’s most fun about your idea, and focus on it.  You will write five sketches in this class; topical, political, parody, character, your choice.  A Stage Reading for your best is at 7:30pm, August 24th.  No Pre-requisite, cost is $75.  To sign up, email backlineimprov@gmail.com with the subject title “Level 1 Sketch”.
Backline News-
Omaha Comedy Week-
All of Omaha’s comedians are coming together this summer for an amazing week of comedy.  There is also a Video Sketch Competition where the top 10 are shown the final night of the festival on the large screen. Check out omahacomedyweek.com and letspowerlunch.com for official rules.

Level 1 Submission

Brand new Level 1 taught by Backline’s first teacher through the program, Will Meinen.  This class starts June 7th, goes from 7-10pm, lasts 7 weeks, plus a Graduation Show, and costs $100.  If interested-

Email backlineimprov@gmail.com with subject “LEVEL 1 SUBMISSION”

(Source: backlineimprov.com)

Want to know where to find all and any of Omaha’s best comedians on a Friday night?  Studio Gallery, the place you might never have heard of, that’s where they’re at.

Want to know where to find all and any of Omaha’s best comedians on a Friday night?  Studio Gallery, the place you might never have heard of, that’s where they’re at.

Another Level 1, back-to-back @ Backline

This is the second this year, third in five months.  Join, and become part of the Backline Improv community- we perform every Friday night @ Studio Gallery.  Email backlineimprov@gmail.com, if you want to sign up, subject ‘LEVEL 1 SUBMISSION’.

(Source: backlineimprov.com)

Backline on Omahype

Thanks, Omahype, for the great review!

BIT moves to Fridays, March 2nd

You can all jump up and down now, Backline just moved to Friday nights!  We are still at the amazing Studio Gallery, and tickets are still just $5 for the whole night and you can bring your own beverages.  We are also introducing a new weekly show starting at the end of this month.  Plenty of great things this month, but our first week we send away one of our top players, Patricia Lillyhorn, as she pursues her career.  Don’t miss her final show March 2nd!

SHOWS
March 2nd
8:30pm- Level 4 Graduation Show- performing a monoscene, where the entire show is one uninterrupted scene, all made up on the spot.
9:30pm- Interrogated- A weekly show where Backline’s finest players have you confess something you’ve gotten away with in your life, then make fun of it.
11:00pm- Two Backline teams, Kung Pow Sandwich and Cubert.  (Cubert will be Patricia Lillyhorn’s final show before moving away next week!)
March 9th
8:30pm 2 X 2- Two 2-person teams take up the first half, including Dylan + 1, where he invites a new friend each month to play, followed by Backline team Cubert!
9:30pm- Interrogated- A weekly show where Backline’s finest players have you confess something you’ve gotten away with in your life, then make fun of it.
11:00pm- Two more great Backline teams, Ladies & Gentlemen and Kung Pow Sandwich.
March 16th
8:30pm- Level 2 Class Show- This Level is in the early phases of the basic structure of long-form improv, the Harold.
9:30pm- Interrogated- A weekly show where Backline’s finest players have you confess something you’ve gotten away with in your life, then make fun of it.
11:00pm- Cagematch- Two of Omaha’s best improv teams compete to come back next time. Cubert challenges the current Cagematch champions- 88improv!
March 23rd
8:30pm- Level 1 Class Show- This Level focuses on creating two-person scenes that are focused and funny, but don’t let the ‘1’ fool you, these are always entertaining.
9:30pm- Interrogated- A weekly show where Backline’s finest players have you confess something you’ve gotten away with in your life, then make fun of it.
11:00pm- Two Backline teams, Cubert and Ladies & Gentlemen.
March 30th
8:30pm- Two Backline teams, Kung Pow Sandwich and Ladies & Gentlemen.
9:30pm- Interrogated- A weekly show where Backline’s finest players have you confess something you’ve gotten away with in your life, then make fun of it.
11:00pm Cagematch- Two of Omaha’s best improv teams compete to come back next time.  Champions of last Cagematch vs. (Not yet decided)
If you would like to submit your team for Cagematch, send an email to backlineimprov@gmail.com with subject header ‘CAGEMATCH SUBMISSION’ and include all members of your team, team name, and if you have a coach, their name.
CLASSES
(If you want to enroll, send email to backlineimprov@gmail.com)
Level 5 Class- Mondays 7pm-10pm, starting March 12th. $75 (Class show April 6th & April 27th)
(April)
Level 1 Class- Tuesdays 7pm-10pm, starting April 3rd. $100 (Class show May 18th.)
Hope to see you all this Friday night for our weekend debut!

(Source: backlineimprov.com)

January Schedule (New Classes and Shows)

Backline Improv is taking over in 2012, and we’re starting off strong with January!  We are starting 3 new classes, and introducing a new monthly show- Cagematch!

Schedule (Thursday Nights @ Studio Gallery)
Jan. 5th-
8:00pm- Kung Pow Sandwich/Ladiies and Gentlemen
9:15pm- Interrogated
10:30pm- Backline Jam
Jan. 12th-
8:00pm- Breakfast Jam/ 2X2
9:15pm- Interrogated
10:30pm- Ladies and Gentlemen/ Kung Pow Sandwich
Jan. 19th-
8pm- 88improv
9:15- Interrogated (ft. 88improv)
10:30pm- Cagematch- (Kung Pow Sandwich vs Ladies and Gentlemen)
Jan. 26th-
8pm- Level 4 Class Show
9:15pm- Interrogated
10:30pm- Character Cagematch (Fictional vs. Historical)
———————————————-
New Classes!- Email backlineimprov@gmail.com to register for a class.  Please pass this info on to anyone you think might be interested!
All classes at Studio Gallery- 4965 Dodge St. Pay in cash or checks payable to Dylan Rohde
Level 1- Saturdays- Jan 28th-Mar 10th.  12pm-3pm $75 (Graduation Show- March 15th)
Level 2- Tuesdays- Jan 10th-Feb 28th (No Class on Valentine’s Day.)  7pm-10pm $75 (Graduation Show- March 1st)
Level 4- Mondays- Jan 16th-Feb.27th.  7pm-10pm $75 (Class Shows- January 26th/ Feb 9th, 23rd/ March 1st)
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(Source: backlineimprov.com)