The Starborn, the brainchild of Mia Iseman and Ryan Austin, headlines The Threefer in February of 2014. Here’s a little chat with them about the show and everything that goes into i.
What is The Starborn? How is it different from other improv shows?
MIA: The Starborn is more interactive with the audience than most improv in Austin, and it’s one of those shows where the actors never break character but do scenes in their characters. It’s weird, I guess, is what I’m trying to say.
RYAN: There’s no traditional narrative or common improv-y elements like edits, really. We describe it as an interactive, improvised alien invasion. It’s very similar to what Deanna Fleysher does with Butt Kapinski (http://www.buttkapinski.com) in how it’s an experience. So, yeah, weird.
What is the audience participation like? Has anyone been disruptive?
RYAN: I think the example that best illustrates the participation element we shoot for was when we endowed this one man as being James Bond. Mia ran up and set the scene, playing a bond girl in trouble. I urged him to go rescue her with his “helicopter tie” (his invention!) and he rushed on stage, picked her up and helicoptered away! I’ve never heard an audience cheer so hard. They weren’t cheering for us, of course, they were cheering for their own. Mia looked at me after that show and said “The audience is thestar of this show” and that has been our goal ever since.
MIA: No one has been disruptive, but when you open the show up to that kind of interaction, you have to be ready to let them take the lead if they want it- which is awesome when it happens. There was some dude once that was probably really drunk, but we just called him out as our crazy stowaway uncle alien and then moved on.
RYAN: Uncle Jack!
How did you guys come up with the idea and what were some of your influences?
RYAN: After watching Super Mega Art Show (from Seattle) and Butt Kapinski, I really wanted to try something similar to what they were doing with a focus on the audience interaction. I don’t know how I landed on the David Bowie influence but Sci Fi some how led to Ziggy Stardust and it went from there.
MIA: The costumes are inspired by cheesy sci-fi movies from the 70s and 80s. Personally, I am inspired by Ryan Austin and the body language and eye contact in the foamy latte scene from Zoolander. (http://www.youtube.com/
What has the development process been like?
MIA: The most difficult aspect for me has been fighting the urge to feel like the show must have certain elements in order to be good. I think we have ideal beats that we want to hit, and it’s hard to come to terms with the fact that it’s totally fine to not hit those beats. We keep having to remind each other that the aliens can literally do ANYTHING because they are not human, but it’s so hard to get over our human tendencies!
RYAN: We’ve been working with Asaf Ronen as our coach and he has helped us discover and evolve the core tenet of the show. For the audience interaction, the main tenet is misinterpretation. If a man is wearing a Batman shirt, he’s probably Batman. Glasses? He’s a scientist. There are a few sprinkles of satire but for the most part we like our human mocking to be completely wrong, so we make WILD assumptions based on reads of the Earthlings.
MIA: I’m most excited to play this February run and see how the show evolves over 4 weeks, since we’ll more than double our stage time by the time the run is over. It’s pretty exciting for ze twins!!
Where did those decidedly German accents come from?
MIA: They are decidedly great fun to do, so we stuck with them. I don’t know where they came from. Is that something we straight up ripped off of Super Mega Art Show, Ryan?
RYAN: Yeah, they’re [respectfully] lifted from Super Mega Art Show. I kept trying other accents in the car on the way to our first show but nothing stuck. I think our accents are a bit sillier than theirs, so maybe that helps? I met one of them in Hawaii and he was super nice, so I feel like he’d be cool with it. I hope, anyway.
Mia, You made the costumes yourself?
MIA: Yes. I did it on the cheap too! Except the damn leggings. American Apparel is too expensive.
RYAN: She’s being modest! She worked very hard on them and made sure to include differences to distinguish brother from sister. (Cape size, footwear etc) The first time I saw them I was blown away. She sewed for hours. Also, she added star glitter to a pair of my underwear. That’s a true friend.
Talk a bit about the theatrical elements of the show.
MIA: No, come see the show to find out!
RYAN: Agreed! Though, I do want to mention our troupe Technical improvisor Neal Tibrewala. He has added a lot to the show way beyond lights and sound. I think the biggest thing is he stops us from adding any unnecessary elements. He always puts the purpose of the show in the forefront, even if it means simplifying the tech needs.
Any guesses as to the kinds of audience interactions you’ll have over the next 4 weeks?
MIA: Your guess is as good as mine. I hope even more courageous strangers talk to the freaky aliens.
RYAN: Man, there’s no telling. I can’t wait though! I’d love to endow someone as Wolverine…
The Starborn descend upon the Hideout every Thursday in February at 8pm in The Threefer. Get your tickets online (no fees!).
Can’t wait to see this this week!!!