Future Kids had an excellent mix of playing styles and I think what really stood out about them was their range as a group. Everyone had their strengths but they would have entire shows that were super grounded, or abstract, or character driven, etc. Everyone was able to shine, and everyone was able to support each other's style. Just before starting to coach Future Kids, I had picked up this idea of 'Head, Heart, X-Factor' from the wonderful Rachel Mason in Chicago. It's this sort of triforce concept that describes the vital elements of a good improviser and a good ensemble. And it played a big part in casting a group that had strong 'Head' players who give the show specificity and connections, strong 'Heart' players who bring three dimensional character and relationship, and strong 'X-Factor' players who color outside the lines and give the show moments of magic and surprise. The group was cast not only for those strengths but for how adaptable they were to the rest. And I remember that was a really exciting part of working with this group- everyone was up for a challenge and willing to step outside their comfort zones and learn how to play in each other's worlds in order to have the best show. They were very committed to each other and committed to doing great work.

Q: Did you create a form for the shows?

Along the lines of the Head, Heart, X-Factor concept, we cycled through several forms that demanded different strengths. We spent some time doing forms like Armando and Deconstruction where you're pulling scene ideas from a monologue or source scene, and then we would move onto something like a La Ronde or Slacker where the show is built on sustainable character work and world-building through relationships. Eventually we pushed into more abstract forms like JTS Brown which plays with dream logic and surrealism. And every once in a while when we needed a break from form or to just cleanse the palate between show styles, we would do a montage with the goal of keeping it dynamic and still finding moments to spotlight everyone's strengths.

Q: Was there anything that set this group apart from the other launch groups

I believe this was the first launch group to be majority women. And, unless I'm mistaken, it was the first launch group to complete its run without dropping or adding any cast members.

Q: What is a standout memory you have about your time in the Launch Group?

There was a point somewhere in the middle of their show run when I thought to myself 'I don't think I could do what they're doing without giving it some practice first'. It was a very cool moment where I realized they had become a true ensemble. They had a chemistry and a secret language and even though I knew exactly what their performance goals were, they were doing it in a way that felt seamless and fluid and fun. I was pushing them to step up their game and in turn they inspired me to step up mine!