MONOLOGUE JAM

Here's the idea: a lone performer on the stage takes a suggestion given by the audience and then simply tells a compelling story or monologue, in character, based on that suggestion. I have been interested in this precisely because of the apparent simplicity. 

Anyway, before the holidays during the winter of 2010, I brought the idea up to my friend John Rawley, who was running the Alternative Comedy Theater at the time. I pitched it as a possible project and new format to work on. He liked it, so we gathered up our friend and colleague (and all-around improv guy) Jeff Swearingen and rehearsed the format a a few times. 

Kyle Bradford performing in the Monologue Jam to a packed house.
Cafe Bohemia, Plano TX - March 22, 2014

The first Monologue Jam was presented February 12, 2011. After that the format was presented intermittently, but on aa consistent basis.

The Monologue Jam is a simple format presented in two possible sections. It is entirely possible, and likely, this format or something very like it, existed before. I don't know. Maybe I invented it.

Rory Scholl in the MJ at the Big Sexy Weekend of Improv 2014, Dyer Street Bar, Dallas TX

Liz Robinson in the MJ at the Big Sexy Weekend of Improv 2014,
Dyer Street Bar, Dallas TX

Section one involves individual performers taking a stab at improvised story-telling based on an audience suggestion. This suggestion is usually drawn from a bowl or hat filled with suggestions on little slips of paper. the improviser draws the suggestion, reads it aloud and then begins. The monologue lasts between 2 and half and three minutes. There is a hard stop at three minutes (blackout).

Section two - the optional one - is a "round robbin" (or "jam") session where the performers tag in and out continuing a single storyline based on an audience suggestion. 

At the end of the Jam, the audience votes by applause who should take home the coveted jar of Monologue Jam jam that evening.

Shea Smith in the Monologue Jam (Margo Jones Theatre - Nov. 9, 2014)

The Monologue Jam briefly became its own stand-alone evening with the addition of games, contests, give-aways, etc. It was produced by MINT Presents for a short time (2014 & 2015) at the Margo Jones Theatre in Fair Park, Dallas TX.

From January 2015 to the Summer of 2016, the Monologue Jam expanded to Austin TX, presented by the Institution Theater and hosted by Tyler Bryce. The Austin Monologue Jam ran monthly (first Saturdays). Tyler continued to expand the concept with workshops and even (on one occasion) puppetry. 

The Institution Theater closed in February 2022.

Brad Hawkins, "All Puppet Monologue Jam" winner
(March 5, 2016 - Austin TX)

Currently, the Monologue Jam is still presented from time to time, most recently as part of the annual Big Weekend of Improv produced by the Alternative Comedy Theater in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

The prize jam for the Monologue Jam - July 9, 2022

MONOLOOGUE JAMS (not an exhaustive list):

» February 2011 at Cafe Bohemia (Plano TX) First Annual
» January 2012 at Cafe Bohemia (Plano TX) Second Annual
» June 2012 as part of the Big Sexy Weekend of Improv, Dyer Street Bar (Dallas TX)
» July 2012 at the Cafe Bohemia (Plano TX) as part of a fund-raiser
» January 2013 at Cafe Bohemia (Plano TX) Third Annual
» May 2013 as part of the Big Sexy Weekend of Improv, Pocket Sandwich Theater (Dallas TX)
» March 2014 at Cafe Bohemia (Plano TX) 4th Annual » July 2014 as part of the Big Sexy Weekend of Improv, Margo Jones Theatre (Dallas TX)
» November 2014 at the Margo Jones Theatre, Fair Park (Dallas TX)
» June 2015 as part the Big Sexy Weekend of Improv, Pocket Sandwich Theater (Dallas TX)
» Starting in January 2015 thru late 2016 the Monologue Jam branched out to Austin, Texas as well, at the Institution Theater, hosted by Tyler Bryce.

» The Monologue Jam made a return as part of the 2018 and 2019 Big Sexy Weekend of Improv presented by the Alternative Comedy Theater.

» July 9, 2022 saw a return of the Monologue Jam, hosted by founder Brad McEntire at the 12th Annual Big Weekend of Improv presented by the Alternative Comedy Theater.

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Interview with John Rawley of the Alternative Comedy Theater

Interview with John Rawley of The Alternative Comedy Theater from Christopher Taylor on Vimeo.

Going to the Theatre now implies much more than passive attendance at a performance (i.e. the way we might file into cinemas); it signifies participation in the social life of our cities, our communities. 

Contemporary theatre-goers - those brave few who recognize how important it is to feed one's mind and soul as well as one's stomach and investment portfolio - are likely to arrive early for pre-show snacks in the lobby or grab dinner, perhaps, at a restaurant in the neighborhood. A contemporary theatre-goer will more than likely stay late for a post-performance discussion, chit-chat with the artists in the lobby after the show, attend lectures on a Saturday afternoon, visit the plaza for a midday lunch concert or reading, take a youngster to a children's puppet theatre performance at an informal outdoor amphitheatre. Today's theatre-goer may take in a late-night comedy revue over cocktails. 

In short, contemporary theatre-goers are informed, involved and demanding. Expectations are high. And well, they should be. Educated patrons and sincere supporters should be valued, especially in today’s media-saturated, million-choice society. Pandered to? No. But valued and developed.

So, should a single theatre company provide all the services listed above? Maybe, though I imagine such an institution as a theatrical equivalent to Walmart. Like its retail doppelganger, this one-stop theatre might have a wide selection, but the quality will be kind of “meh…” 

Besides, when the cold light of reality shines on the financial resources of most theatre companies, this is hardly possible or practical.

But, and here’s the silver lining…This is what a theatre community is for.

A bunch of theatres sticking close to their guns and mission statements share the burden… no not burden… responsibility of supplying for the needs of the cultural community.

The Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex is blessed in that it has an incredibly diverse theatrical ecosystem.  

Theatre for different ethnic audiences? Got it.  

Puppetry? Got it.

Mid-century fare? Got it.

Light comedy and farce? Got it.

Regional off-Broadway pieces? Got it.

Musicals of all kinds? Got it.

New and original works? Got it.

Dance theatre? Got it. 

Classics? Got it.

Popcorn-throwing melodrama? Got it.

And so on.

This diversity is a boon for audiences, but also for artists as well. Whatever your poison, DFW was some of it. If, as an actor, you want to try your hand at murder mysteries or experimental works, there are avenues for it in the DFW cultural landscape. 

It is with this in mind I sought out John Rawley. He heads a local improv theatre. Improvisation is not always understood by the general public as a form of theatre (it is, unfortunately, often confused with stand-up comedy or considered only under the dubious, dismissive heading “entertainment”). In fact, improv is a rather pure form of theatre, invented on the spot and performed without a net, so to speak. 

Improvisation is, in this writer’s humble opinion, an excellent way to train actors in almost all the basics of stage performance: listening, awareness, physicality, response, projection, collaboration, and the list goes on…

The Alternative Comedy Theater is housed in a small studio close to SMU, a few blocks north of Mockingbird Station. Rawley, with a background in commercial acting, music, traditional stage performance and, of course, improv comedy organizes his company specifically around spontaneous theatre. His mission is to train, promote and produce improv theatre shows. 

The Alternative Comedy Theater, with its specialized mission is holding up its end as one branch of what is the dynamic theatre community of North Texas.

~ Brad McEntire

reposted from the Stage Directions Blog 

Monologue Jam... WORLD PREMIERE!

So, I've had this idea for a while: a solo performer on stage taking a suggestion from the audience and then simply telling a compelling story or monologue based on that suggestion. I have been interested in this precisely because of the apparent simplicity.

Anyway, before the holidays last year, I brought the idea up to my friend John Rawley, who runs the Alternative Comedy Theater as a possible project and new format to work on. He liked it, so we gathered up our friend and colleague (and all-around improv bad-ass) Jeff Swearingen and have rehearsed a few times.

The Monologue Jam is a simple (perhaps new?) format presented in two sections. Section one involves individual performers taking a stab at improvised story-telling based on an audience suggestion. Section two is a "round robbin" (or "jam") session where the performers tag in and out continuing  a single storyline based on audience suggestions.

We're going to world-premiere it at Cafe Bohemia on Saturday, February 12, playing on the same bill as the all-girl group The Band Wreckers. Should be fun and interesting, to say the least.

More info at: http://www.thealternativecomedytheater.com/

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