ucblove - Tumblr blog

[ucblove]

how to I get notified of improv 201 classes?

I’ve been asked this a lot for the past month or so.

A LOT.

When the ucbcomedy site was redesigned, they disabled or deleted the RSS feed, which powers all of the IFTTT notifications. Now, in it’s place, you can get an email any time ANY class opens, which means a LOT of emails that mostly tell you when a registrar is at work. You will likely ignore these after a day or so unless you’re desperate for a class.

My only recommendation is to email classes@ucbcomedy.com and tell them you were relying on the RSS feed and would like it to be reinstated. 

I don’t think they realize how very many people use these reminder emails. (I do because people have a weird reaction when they find out my name now.) It is also unlikely that they would know that IFTTT showcases these feeds when anyone is looking for something to do in New York City.

When I was a registrar, I asked the IT department to create the feed because I knew it could only benefit people. In addition to be being good advertising for the classes, the emails also saved the training center tons of money. There are so many drop-outs within the three days before the class starts, and it’s often difficult to fill those spots despite there having been a lot of interest when the class was first posted. One time, I coached a UCB 401, and four different students told me they had added the class the day it started because of my emails. (I, incidentally, was the one who handled those four withdrawals that allowed them in, so I remember it vividly.) 

I just really don’t think they know how it’s affecting people, so let them know. Email them, start a petition. If it’s reinstated, I’ll hook all of the recipes up again, and you’ll be rolling. I can’t do much more than that, unfortunately; I’ve begun something new.

[ucblove]

Hey Tumblr crew!

I’m organizing a UCB Community Mixtape Exchange. Tryna get some new jams/sling some old jams, and I love the process of making a mixtape/exchanging a mixtape. Feel like recommendations are a whole lot better when they come from a person and not a Spotify playlist.

If you’re...

[ucblove]

Exciting!

The forums at the Improv Resource Center are back upgraded using a new forum software.

[ucblove]

Request for Contributions, also: contributors

I miss posting regularly to this blog. I created it as a way to show the mutual respect and love in the community, but then found that people liked it as much or more as a resource for information and for the class alerts.

Our community is getting so big, and I want to do what I can to maintain a sense of cohesion. Unfortunately, my life has become increasingly busy as I keep reaching for those stars, so I'm writing to you, the UCB Community, to ask for your participation in this blog.

1. I'd like to create a directory of resources for UCB students. This includes:

Helpful sites like Improvteams and Improvcoaches

Facebook

Community- and Improv-related podcasts like Improv Noise and the forthcoming Thunderbolt Improv Podcast 

Relevant Tumblrs (even dead ones) that people will like, including Improv Logos, that UCB gif one, whatever those rap and dessert ones were  

A calendar of events

Any other ideas you have

Send me an email to chrisgriswold AT gmail.com with "UCBLove Directory" as the subject line and list any resources that may be of help to the UCB community. [Note: I really need you to use that subject line.] 

2. I need contributors to do the following things:

Write blurbs for impressive indie shows by people in the community

Review practice and performance spaces

Graphic design on anonymous compliment submissions

Find and document archived videos of stage shows

Receive submissions and write up lists of videos released in our community

Update the directory

Form a social committee to create fun events that don't have to include performing.

Plus many more

You will be credited for your submissions and be contributing to the community you love so much. Plus, all of this is just the start.

Send me an email to chrisgriswold AT gmail.com with "UCBLove Contributor" as the subject line and tell me what you'd like to work on as a contributor, whether it's something I listed above or something else you've thought of. [Note: I really, really need you to use that subject line.]

[ucblove]

Head toward Union Square. Contact me if you need to.

I can't breathe.

UCB Community: We’re joining the protest.

26th and 8th

11pm

Tonight

Tell five people.

[ucblove]

I can't breathe.

UCB Community: We’re joining the protest.

26th and 8th

11pm

Tonight

Tell five people.

[ucblove]

Serially Obsessed podcast

Congratulations to UCBers Daisy Rosario, Deepti Sahrawat, and Leila Carrillo for breaking into the iTunes Top50 with their podcast Serially Obsessed!

If you like Serial, you’ll love Serially Obsessed, which has the three comedians - including a former prosecutor and a public radio producer - discussing the Serial from multiple perspectives.

ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/serially-obsessed/id942696749?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D2 Libsyn: http://seriallyobsessed.libsyn.com

[ucblove]

I don't need a job anymore. Improv is my job.

Join the thousands of people already using these email alerts to make sure you get the class you want.

Dear UCBNY students,

I made you a thing.

I know it can be difficult to circle the UCB Training Center’s Open Registrations pagelooking for classes to open up, so I first asked for a new, updated RSS feed of open classes, which the UCB IT staff produced marvelously. Then, knowing most people don’t actually use RSS readers, I created a series of alerts using the incredibly useful IFTTT (If This, Then That - I thought it was unusually fitting). You will need to register for the site.

These alerts will fire when a new class is added, when few seats remain in a class, and every time someone withdraws prior to class’ start, sending you an email each time.

You’ll get a bunch of emails. (Delete the ones you don’t need.)

Keep in mind, the alerts can take up to 15 minutes to send, which means, if a class fills in those first 15 (or 1) minutes, IFTTT may never see it. I’m currently looking for the best way to notify you of course preview posts on the UCB Message Board to fill that gap, but come on, if you’re obsessed or desperate enough to use one of these, you’re already checking regularly.

Specific Teacher

Enter a teacher’s last name and be alerted when they have a class

Improv

Improv 101

Improv 201

Improv 301

Improv 401

Improv 410: Game Focus

Improv 411: Performance Focus

Improv 412: Listening and Reacting Focus

Advanced Study Harold

Advanced Study Improv

Advanced Study Performance

Improv Elective

Sketch

Sketch 101

Sketch 201

Sketch 301

Advanced Study Writing

Sketch Elective

Miscellaneous

Del Close Marathon Workshop

Character 101

Musical Improv 101

Musical Improv 201

Storytelling and Solo Work 101

Improv 101 for Teens

It’s not perfect, but it should help you get those open seats you so desperately want.

Please let me know if anything can be improved.

Love,

Chris Griswold

(This is a personal project, not endorsed by UCB.)

[ucblove]

Great!

[ucblove]

Champions.

Can’t even talk about my emotions rn.

[ucblove]

Other people are not medicine.

Amy Poehler, Yes Please (via homospinster)

I promise this blog will not become simply a collection of pull quotes.

[ucblove]

Sounds great! They had two things I love at UCB: parties and black hoodies.

[ucblove]

Sounds like the grand opening of UCB Sunset was amazing. A real love story. Still sounds a little stressful, but it looks like anything but a funeral.

Glad to hear that the west coast has its share of funny trouble makers.

[ucblove]

It takes years as a woman to unlearn what you have been taught to be sorry for.

Amy Poehler, in Yes Please  (via femme-and-furious)

Must read.

[ucblove]

Good work, Abbi.

[ucblove]

Great Bucket of Truth, guys!

Check out these UCB fans - Morgan Hill, Sarah Spear, and Claire Matson - who came to UCBeast for Halloween!

[ucblove]

Just Announced: UCBNY Maude teams!

From SPO:

UCB Theatre NY is pleased to announce Maude Teams, Fall 2014  (CAPITAL LETTERS = New to Maude Night)  212  Actors  Russ Armstrong Robert Cuthill* Eddie Dunn Langan Kingsley* Cody Lindquist Veronica Osorio Writers Georgie Aldaco* Glenn Boozan* David Guzman Ryan Hunter* Kassia Miller Achilles Stamatelaky *New to 212  Legs for Days  Actors  Kristen Acimovic  Ann Carr Dan Chamberlain Sean Hart Livia Scott Joel Weidl Writers Susan Casey Karin Hammerberg Jason Flowers Hunter Nelson Katie Simon Peter Sherer BIG ADVENTURE (Starter Name)  Actors  ALEX DICKSON YONI LOTAN GRIFFIN NEWMAN Evan Hoyt Thompson Natasha Vaynblat Alex Viola  Writers  Madalyn Baldanzi David Hill Juan Nicolon Austin Rodrigues Janet Silverman Natasha Vaynblat  MANJULA (Starter Name) Actors Caroline Cotter David Ebert Noah Forman Carrie McCrossen Murf Meyer Maggie Ross  Writers  Jon Bershad Aaron Burdette Claire Downs Allie Kokesh  Kristy Lopez-Bernal Nathan Min DOBBER (Starter Name)  Actors Becky Abrams Max Brand  Lisa Kleinman  Cathryn Mudon Marshall Stratton  James III Writers Sarah Burton Caroline Haubold CORY PALMER Daniel Spenser Levine Alexandra Song John Trowbridge  DANGEROUS WOMAN (Starter Name)  Actors  BECKY CHICOINE AMADEO FUSCA BRONSON GILMORE MONIQUE MOSES LAUREN OLSON DOUG WIDICK  Writers  MAX ASH David Bernstein JOSH EAKRIGHT KAILEIGH MCCREA Kerry O’Brien Sarah Tollemache TUSH (starter name)  Actors  Ken Beck CATHERINE COHEN LESLIE COLLINS MATTHEW GEHRING ELI JAMES MOUJAN ZOLFAGHARI  Writers  LUKE BURNS ANDREW JAICO  Cristina Sanza  Marguerite Spellman Marina Tempelsman  John Townsend  DIXIE (Starter Name)  Actors  CHRISTINE BULLEN LAUREN BRICKMAN RYAN FARRELL KEITH KINGBAY BARDIA SALIMI AUDREY STANFIELD  Writers KRISTEN BARTLETT NICOLE CONLAN ALEX ESTRADA JOHN SARTORI ALEX TRAYNOR KATE SIDLEY