Amy Pacheco knows that comedy knows no bounds. Wherever she is, whatever she is doing, Amy injects her own style of funny into the mix, including improv shows like the Megaphone Show and an upcoming song and dance show she is producing, all at The New Movement. The improviser and sketch writer is constantly on the comedic move (headlining with troupes like Ghost Prom and Quite Well Thank You) and seems to always be up to her neck in creative projects, which makes her hard to pin down. We got together with Amy to find out a little bit behind the scenes of her comedy brain, and what she has to look forward to on the horizon.
How did you first get involved with The New Movement?
I met Chris Trew at a standup comedy night in 2007. I had just moved back to Texas from NYC and wanted to get involved in some comedy. I was planning on staying in Austin and studying improv with Chris right then and there but I got a job in Dallas so I moved where the money was. Chris and I stayed in contact via Facebook. When I decided I wanted to move to Austin in 2009, I contacted Chris and asked him where the funny was. He told me to start taking classes with The New Movement. That was one year ago. The rest, shall we say, is history.
What classes are you currently taking at TNM?
I just started Level 4 improv. I just finished Level 3 and the sketch class. My sketch class had so much material, we got TWO shows out of it: “Are You Afraid of the NARC?” and “Port-a-Potty Makeout Booth.”
Are you working on any project or collaborations?
There’s ALOT going on for me right now- and alot that has been going on. Ever since joining up with TNM, I’ve been so busy, it’s unbelievable. But I sure do love comedy so it’s all good times for me. I just got back from UCB’s Del Close Marathon where The New Movement was one of the selected troupes to participate in the comedy marathon in New York City. It was an honor and a privilege to represent The New Movement before such a wide audience. It was also exciting for me because I am from Boston and DCM was the first time my mother had ever seen me perform comedy. I am currently working within two improv troupes: Ghost Prom and Quite Well Thank You. Both of these troupes will be featured in the Megaphone Marathons in September. Ghost Prom just had another of its ghost prom proms; and Quite Well Thank You is rehearsing in hopes of getting more performances booked soon. And I have a few projects on the back burner: a video called “Kitten Massacre” and a song and dance act I’m building with Jake Lutz.
What is your favorite scene you’ve seen at TNM?
I’ve had lots of favorites but one of my most recent faves was during a Megaphone show when one of the audience members asked out loud what Chris Trew was doing onstage. He had mimed a soda dispenser at a sandwich shop and told her so outright in response to her question. And then, the whole scene became about people walking on and announcing what they were doing as they were doing it. It was a great reaction to an otherwise awkward situation that inspired all of the rest of the performers to play a game. I love comedy, especially when it gets all cerebral like that.
Do you have a motto?
“Life is uncertain, eat dessert first”
There are big things happening with Jen Sembera. Not only has she turned the state of The New Movement’s garden into a real thing of beauty (The Garden Posse is a force to be reckoned with), but she has her improv plates spinning with so much tenacity, you start to wonder how she got them up there in the first place. Well, you may have seen Jen around the theater, but it’s time we got to know the girl behind the improv. We got together with Jen to see just how she got started at The New Movement, and where it is taking her now.
How did you first get involved with The New Movement?
When My Ol’ Pal Clay the Barton quit his job to open the Dallas Comedy House, I scratched my chin contemplating why a genius of a human being would decide to start something that “crazy.” After telling stories at a Megaphone Show last year, I was hooked and understood what Clay was talkin’ about.
What classes are you currently taking at TNM?
I just started Level 4 and am prepared for the mind-blowing to ensue.
Are you working on any project or collaborations?
I just finished as a cast member for a couple of sketch shows (Are You Afraid of the Narc? and Port-o-Potty Make-Out Booth). I made sweet, magical love with the sketch creation process. I’m also a troupe member of Quite Well Thank You, Anthology and Table of Incontinence. All super fun and awesome and lovely.
What is your favorite scene you’ve seen at TNM?
Oh man. Pizza cry. Or maybe Michael Foulk in anything. Wait, MILO AND SHYLA. Shit, hold up. Tami Nelson playing anyone condescending.
Do you have a motto?
My motto constantly changes. Wait! Maybe THAT could be my motto. And love. Love’s where it’s at.
Everyone have your phones handy? Because this Saturday August 21, The New Movement is set to take on the TNM Social Mosh Pit at ND Studios starting at 9 PM for a night of staying connected and sharing laughs. If you plan on joining us at the tweetup at 9 (#TNMOverkill), be prepared for copious comic handshakes and fun drink specials, all leading up to the big show, Following the meet up is TNMOverkill at 10:30 PM, The New Movement’s all-out tweet-worthy comedy show, with no holds barred and endless opportunities to capture the night via tweets or videos. Do you have a camera or want to tweet a joke you just heard? This is your chance to get in on the social media with us (#TNMOverkill, y’all!) so charge your batteries and we will see you at ND Studios this weekend!
Oh yeah, and it’s totally free!
For information on our other Austin comedy shows, click that link.
In the meantime, maybe you can help: Does the suggestion that your chocolate obsession may be out of hand leave you with frustration squiggles? Are you constantly lamenting the lack of flattering fashion in your life? Do you feel unlucky in love and incapable of thinking about much else than your next bon-bon break? Chances are you’ve been compared to America’s sweetheart Cathy – and you can relate to her stories and dreams.
Well, GOOD NEWS – The New Movement Theater is hosting a special week of CATHYMANIA this October and we’re looking for a real-life Cathy to star in our signature Megaphone Show, an evening of improv comedy inspired by your stories. Think you’re Cathy enough? Send us an email (ceo AT studio8.net) and tell us about yourself and why you think you’d be a perfect Cathy.
I’ve been involved with the massive week of March in many ways (including a conference hat trick in 2009, omg!) but never ever eeeeeeever as a panel presenter. What would happen? Who would melt? Where would all the fireworks go? These are valid questions, readers. Let’s take it easy and just login and Thumbs Up my panel first and see if the powers that be make it happen.
Every weekend is worth a celebration, but this weekend we are celebrating extra hard for the Dan French’s graduating stand up workshop at The New Movement. This Saturday at 8 pm, the best and brightest from the workshop are performing their pieces for a little taste of upcoming comic talent here in Austin. The class has been straining their comic minds for the past months, and now all of their hard work is getting wrapped into a nice little comedy package, just for you. Come and see your favorite comic, shake the hands of some of the newest faces on the stand up scene, and see just what jokes are in style these days. $5 gets you in and BYOB keeps you going, so we will see you this Saturday!
For info on our other Austin standup shows, this is your link!
A little while back TNM performer and student, Dan Rumney presented a chat on improv at Ignite Austin. If you missed it in person you can see how charming he is here!
