From all parts of the Valley, a small group of individuals make funny sounds and play “It” with no blindfolds. Members of the group trust “It” will keep his or her eyes closed during the “gotcha” process.
These people throw and catch imaginary objects, all the while, mimicking the sound a pillow, rock or ball might make as it sails through the air.
They play word games, do extemporaneous stand-up and before each rehearsal begins, they tell others in the group about the kind of week they experienced.
Some of it is pretty boring, but it is done for a purpose. It helps these improvisational actors become more aware of the world around them, and it keeps those “ums” out of the monologues they perform on stage.
And that is what this small group wants to do n go on stage before a live audience. Dramagenics, an improv theater set to open in a 184-seat theater at 8815 W. Peoria Ave., will provide that venue.
It will be a first for the West Valley.
Executive producer Joe Kelepolo blames himself for the group of “Mixed Nuts,” as he calls the group of actors.
“I instigated this,” Kelepolo said. “For some reason, the last 10 years, I have wanted to open a theater.”
In college, Kelepolo did some improv, which at that time, he said, was not an art to itself, it was to help someone become a better actor.
It was the show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” that prompted his decision to open an improv theater, which costs a lot less than a regular theater. Kelepolo took improv classes at Mesa Art Center and acting classes at Glendale Community College. But his performing arts history goes back to high school and college. As with most people just trying to make a living and create a family, Kelepolo took a break from theater and got married.
“I’m just getting back into it, trying to help other people do the same thing,” Kelepolo said.
He looked around the room at the number of individuals who auditioned to become a member of the Dramagenics improv group.
“I can’t believe there’s that many people here who want to,” he said.
There were just seven people at the first audition Nov. 11. Call backs a week later brought in four more. Two weeks ago, another open audition brought in an additional four people. There are now 18 in the group.
Kelepolo brought in Matt Rosin as artistic director. Rosin teachers theater out of Entertainment Alley in Scottsdale and at a charter school in Chandler as well as The Farm at South Mountain. He also performs at the Lunchtime Theater at Herberger Theater in downtown Phoenix. He said the actors’ brief accounts of what they did during the week allows them to cohere to each other, “reinforces the idea we really like each other and have fun.”
They have day jobs, or something like that.
Sarah Blakesley works at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and she is registered with For/Robert Black Agency.
Bebe “Noodle” Black Cecere is a banker with Bank of America who has four children and a dog.
Wes Peacock has applied for a job, and works with his church on community projects.
Mike James owns a software firm.
Carrie Benton is a health insurance employee.
Brian Kohatsu, who was born and raised in Glendale, owns a video production company in Glendale, and he started writing a script this week.
Brandon Brooks works for Calvary Community Church as a video editor.
Xchel Hernandez-Zendejas is a student who works part time in Scottsdale.
Yichao Wang is a student at Arizona State University and he volunteers with Valley Youth Theatre.
Chris Avila is also a student at ASU’s downtown Phoenix campus and is an information specialist, which he said translates to tour guide.
Ben Kennedy just opened and closed a show two weeks ago called “Six Degrees.” He has started work on “Kids in America.” He is a leasing agent with ING Clarion in North Phoenix.
Courtney Robutka is an English teacher at Glendale High School.
P.J. QuareQuio lives at home with his parents. He “writes a few things,” even wrote a play for his church.
Finally, there’s always politics, you know, if you can call a person on a losing candidate’s staff a politician. Joe Simon, who moved to Arizona from New Jersey in 1993, was on Republican Congressman J.D. Hayworth’s staff until the end of December. He is now a math tutor. Simon, that is.
Put them all together and what do you get? Some pretty insane conversations, some outrageous comments, and in the end, they hope, a lot of laughter.
Kelepolo is dealing with building code requirements, but hopes to have the theater opened by April 6. If that deadline comes and goes with no opening, he hopes to have a temporary stage through an agreement with Theater Works.
For improv fans who are tired of driving across the Valley for their stand-up fix, check out Dramagenics. To learn more and get a close-up look at the actors you will see on stage, go to www.dramagenics.com.
Reach the reporter at cdryer@star-times.com, or (623) 847-4604.
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