This Saturday, in addition to hosting an Improv Jam for everyone in Niagara’s improv community to come play, the cast of Improv Niagara will be performing a well-known longform format called “Armando” (named after Armando Diaz, NYC improviser and founder of the Magnet Theatre.)
We asked Mickie Krish to tell us how he feels about Armando:
Over the past year I was asked if I wanted to participate in an “Armando”. At first I thought, “Isn’t Armando a person? How do you participate in a person?" Secondly, “Isn’t that the name Will Ferrell says in Elf? Armando, Armando... Francisco. Nope it isn’t that name.” Thirdly, “I desperately want to be liked and to have attention, so whatever it is, the answer is; “YES!” Of course, I played it cool and agreed. “Yeah, uh... If I could fit it into my schedule...” One of the best decisions I have made!
As I have had the opportunity to perform Improv, the Armando style has been the form that appeals to me most. A brief summary is that the performers will get a suggestion word from the audience. One of the performers then comes forward and tells a true story about their life that the suggested word brings to their mind. Then the rest of the performers move forward and improvise scenes that the story brings to their mind.
This style allows for so much creativity and fun. You truly get to see a little bit of how the performers' minds work based on what they create from the given material.
The other reason I love this form is that, my experience shows that a lot of improv is finding the first person willing to step out with an idea and then the rest of the performers are in many ways scrapping their idea to fully commit to what has been presented. In an Armando, we see multiple scenes of where the suggested story takes people. So you can see multiple people's creativity on full display. And ALL OF THIS, comes from a one word suggestion!
As we have performed the Armando style, I have been more and more impressed with the performers from Improv Niagara. The creativity and level of skill that is demonstrated in being able to go from one idea to the next and the various ways that the performers are able to go to create a hilarious scene from a one word suggestion is remarkable! I am so thankful to be performing with this group and so excited for you to come experience this creativity before your eyes.
As I have had the opportunity to perform Improv, the Armando style has been the form that appeals to me most. A brief summary is that the performers will get a suggestion word from the audience. One of the performers then comes forward and tells a true story about their life that the suggested word brings to their mind. Then the rest of the performers move forward and improvise scenes that the story brings to their mind.
This style allows for so much creativity and fun. You truly get to see a little bit of how the performers' minds work based on what they create from the given material.
The other reason I love this form is that, my experience shows that a lot of improv is finding the first person willing to step out with an idea and then the rest of the performers are in many ways scrapping their idea to fully commit to what has been presented. In an Armando, we see multiple scenes of where the suggested story takes people. So you can see multiple people's creativity on full display. And ALL OF THIS, comes from a one word suggestion!
As we have performed the Armando style, I have been more and more impressed with the performers from Improv Niagara. The creativity and level of skill that is demonstrated in being able to go from one idea to the next and the various ways that the performers are able to go to create a hilarious scene from a one word suggestion is remarkable! I am so thankful to be performing with this group and so excited for you to come experience this creativity before your eyes.
Mickie Krish
Improv Niagara Cast Member
Don’t miss Improv Niagara’s Improv Jam Night + Armando, Saturday January 18th 2020 at Mahtay Café & Lounge, beginning at 8pm.
I drank a liquor once that was almondy? Oh never mind that was disaronno ! Xo
An Armando done while consuming Disaronno would be a very interesting Armando.