Saturday was my showcase at The Skinny, and I think it went really, really well! I was kind of nervous while waiting in the green room before the show started, but once I got on the stage, I felt amazing! The crowd wasn't huge, which is kind of a good thing, but I'd say about 3/4 of the audience was there to see me! It was a good feeling to know that my mom, sorority sisters, and other friends came out to cheer me on!
The showcase only lasted about half an hour, but we had some funny moments. We did about four games, including Directed Story, Buzz (I got to be the buzzer! Yay!), Post-its, and Freeze. Afterward, it was awesome to have my friends and family tell me how proud they were of me. I can't believe it's been two months since my first step into improv. It's been an awesome journey, which I hope to continue!
P.S.: I'll soon be posting some pictures that my friends took during the showcase!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Some bad news; some good news
So, I got another disappointing email today: "Your class will be canceled tonight, Monday, April 27th." BOOOOOOO. I was really looking forward to class, too, dang it.
That's the bad news. Glad that's out of the way!
On a happier note, I'm very pleased to announce that my improv showcase will take place this Saturday, May 2, at 6:00 p.m. at the Skinny Improv Comedy Theater at 301 Park Central East in Springfield, Missouri! I think it's going to be a great time!
That's the bad news. Glad that's out of the way!
On a happier note, I'm very pleased to announce that my improv showcase will take place this Saturday, May 2, at 6:00 p.m. at the Skinny Improv Comedy Theater at 301 Park Central East in Springfield, Missouri! I think it's going to be a great time!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Improv is nothing if not awkward
Tonight was yet another night sans Jeff. Well, kinda. Jeff H.--instead of the usual Jeff J.--was our mentor for the evening.
But it's kind of nice to get another expert's opinion on our sweet improv skills. And we definitely got to try a new (but awkward) method of warming up. To start off, we did the usual "Zig, Zag, Zog" game, which I still kick butt at. Then, Jeff had us take turns screaming. Yes, screaming. As loud as possible.
That's not even the awkward part though. Then he had us pair up, face each other, get as close together as possible without touching, and stare at each other. Yeah. Right in the eyes. Then, he told us to scream again. While still staring at each other. Not exactly a socially acceptable activity....
But, believe it or not, I guess the awkward warm-ups worked. I felt like it got me farther out of my comfort zone, which is a great thing for the purposes of improv. Although you want your scenes to be believable, there's something to be said for taking scenes a step too far, and not being afraid to be a little uncomfortable.
As we did some of the games/activities we will do in our showcase, I felt perhaps the most comfortable I have so far. Jeff urged us to react, not think. And I think my reactions, even when they weren't so funny, were more true than if I would have planned ahead. I feel like I'm more able now to put my personality into the "characters" I play. Heck, Jeff even commented on how "sassy" I can be, and if you know me at all, you definitely know that sass is something I can do well.
By the way, there's only one more Level 1 class left, then it's showcase time! More info to come soooooon!!!
But it's kind of nice to get another expert's opinion on our sweet improv skills. And we definitely got to try a new (but awkward) method of warming up. To start off, we did the usual "Zig, Zag, Zog" game, which I still kick butt at. Then, Jeff had us take turns screaming. Yes, screaming. As loud as possible.
That's not even the awkward part though. Then he had us pair up, face each other, get as close together as possible without touching, and stare at each other. Yeah. Right in the eyes. Then, he told us to scream again. While still staring at each other. Not exactly a socially acceptable activity....
But, believe it or not, I guess the awkward warm-ups worked. I felt like it got me farther out of my comfort zone, which is a great thing for the purposes of improv. Although you want your scenes to be believable, there's something to be said for taking scenes a step too far, and not being afraid to be a little uncomfortable.
As we did some of the games/activities we will do in our showcase, I felt perhaps the most comfortable I have so far. Jeff urged us to react, not think. And I think my reactions, even when they weren't so funny, were more true than if I would have planned ahead. I feel like I'm more able now to put my personality into the "characters" I play. Heck, Jeff even commented on how "sassy" I can be, and if you know me at all, you definitely know that sass is something I can do well.
By the way, there's only one more Level 1 class left, then it's showcase time! More info to come soooooon!!!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Making up for lost time
We had another improv class last night, and I totally felt out of practice for a while. You wouldn't think that canceling class for one week would make a huge difference, but it seemed to. All four of us seemed a little stiff, a little slow, a little low on energy for the first few minutes.
We finally all warmed up a bit, and had some good moments. Caleb and John did a sketch about Wal-Mart and diners, which had some funny parts. Jeff mostly tried to get us to try new techniques, like doing one action during the whole scene, agreeing profusely with everything the other improviser said, and having all four of us try doing a scene together.
My shining moment? I'm sitting on a chair on the stage, looking at an improv newspaper (meaning I'm pretending to read a paper that's not really in my hands) and John asks if the seat next to me is taken. I slid over into that chair and said, "Now it is."
Oh, and since class was canceled last week, our showcase has been pushed back to May 2. I'll find out the time soon!
We finally all warmed up a bit, and had some good moments. Caleb and John did a sketch about Wal-Mart and diners, which had some funny parts. Jeff mostly tried to get us to try new techniques, like doing one action during the whole scene, agreeing profusely with everything the other improviser said, and having all four of us try doing a scene together.
My shining moment? I'm sitting on a chair on the stage, looking at an improv newspaper (meaning I'm pretending to read a paper that's not really in my hands) and John asks if the seat next to me is taken. I slid over into that chair and said, "Now it is."
Oh, and since class was canceled last week, our showcase has been pushed back to May 2. I'll find out the time soon!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sad day...
I got a devastating email the other day: " Class is canceled Monday, April 6, 2009 at the Skinny Improv Comedy Theater." And I was totally looking forward to class tonight!
I did find myself, during a few quiet moments while working in the Writing Center today, running through the "guidelines" of improv. And even thinking of a few ideas for starting out some scenes...
Maybe I can start out playing piano. Or flipping through a magazine. Or waiting in line at the supermarket.
The possibilities are really endless.
Having a Monday without class was weird. It's like taking a step back into my life before improv. It got me to wondering, what am I gonna do when the level one class is over??
Wait patiently until level two begins, of course!
I did find myself, during a few quiet moments while working in the Writing Center today, running through the "guidelines" of improv. And even thinking of a few ideas for starting out some scenes...
Maybe I can start out playing piano. Or flipping through a magazine. Or waiting in line at the supermarket.
The possibilities are really endless.
Having a Monday without class was weird. It's like taking a step back into my life before improv. It got me to wondering, what am I gonna do when the level one class is over??
Wait patiently until level two begins, of course!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Getting the hang of it
It's creeping closer to Showcase time, and I'm actually feeling sort of prepared. Well, as prepared as you can be for improv.
Last night, Jeff was AWOL again, so Jeffrey taught us. As he quizzed us on improv basics that we've covered the past few weeks, I finally felt the full realization that I have learned quite a bit. Such as:
Oh, funny moment of the night.....the four of us that showed up were playing a game called "Buzz". Basically, 2 people are doing a scene, and another person can say "buzz" at anytime, and the person speaking in the scene has to change what they just said. But anyway, John and I were doing a scene about the Wright Brothers, of all things. He said something like, "I'll hop in, and you spin the propeller." And, stepping out of character, and legitimately confused, I said, "Wait, but where's the propeller?" And everyone thought it was hilarious! Yay for unintentional humor!
Last night, Jeff was AWOL again, so Jeffrey taught us. As he quizzed us on improv basics that we've covered the past few weeks, I finally felt the full realization that I have learned quite a bit. Such as:
- The one basic guideline of improv: "Yes, and..." which means you take what someone says, accept it, and add to it.
- Three pieces of info to get out within the first three lines: Who you are, where you're at, and what you're doing.
- Three ways to initiate a scene: Action, emotion, or words.
- Bring a brick, not a cathedral: You're a part of a team, so don't try to pre-plan the whole scene. Just bring a piece of info and build on it as you go.
Oh, funny moment of the night.....the four of us that showed up were playing a game called "Buzz". Basically, 2 people are doing a scene, and another person can say "buzz" at anytime, and the person speaking in the scene has to change what they just said. But anyway, John and I were doing a scene about the Wright Brothers, of all things. He said something like, "I'll hop in, and you spin the propeller." And, stepping out of character, and legitimately confused, I said, "Wait, but where's the propeller?" And everyone thought it was hilarious! Yay for unintentional humor!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Breakthrough
The great thing about improv is that you're not stuck being yourself. Last night, I broke out of my rut of being super-sweet in my scenes. It felt wonderful. In this particular scene, I was bitter, sarcastic, and dare I say, even a bit...mean. As me and my fellow improv-er, John, were on the stage, I started out with, "Every time I see you, I want to throw up." And Jeff and the other onlookers let out a huge laugh. It felt like the first time that a scene I participated in really got a great reaction. The scene kept getting better, too, but I can't honestly remember how it went. I wasn't thinking about what would come next; I just let it happen.
I had finally caught on to something. I stopped editing myself, and let my subconscious take over. Jeff's been telling us to do that for weeks now, but I didn't ever fully let go until last night.
I've also realized just how freeing it is to do improv; you can be a camper, a firefighter, an astronaut...anything. It's like a chance to semi-experience something you may never have a chance to do in reality.
It's so hard to believe, but my level 1 improv class is halfway over. In a month and one day, it will be showcase time! I'm not sure what time it will be, but I'm already excited about it!
I had finally caught on to something. I stopped editing myself, and let my subconscious take over. Jeff's been telling us to do that for weeks now, but I didn't ever fully let go until last night.
I've also realized just how freeing it is to do improv; you can be a camper, a firefighter, an astronaut...anything. It's like a chance to semi-experience something you may never have a chance to do in reality.
It's so hard to believe, but my level 1 improv class is halfway over. In a month and one day, it will be showcase time! I'm not sure what time it will be, but I'm already excited about it!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Bricks
I'm a perfectionist. I have been for as long as I can remember. To this day, I get upset when my nail polish chips or I make a mistake in pen and there's no white-out in sight.
There's a tough lesson for me to learn if I want to succeed in improv: no one is perfect. As much as I try to say the perfect thing, or make the funniest scene ever, it doesn't happen. Despite my best efforts, I may totally miss a perfect cue, or occasionally forget to get the whos, whats, and wheres of the scenes out quickly.
And that's really okay. As we were doing scenes tonight, I realized that any scenario can go a ton of directions, and none of them are wrong. Each team member could take a cue a different way, and that's the beauty of it. When we let ourselves focus on just one line (a.k.a. brick) at a time, we can build an amazingly good scene. Although some "bricks" may be more funny or more complex, there isn't a wrong way. That's comforting to me.
Even though Jeff had pointers for all of us, and during many of our scenes he would give us ideas of how to improve, none of our scenes were bad. I do get flustered when someone sets up a scene and I have no clue how to respond, though. Most of all, I'm learning to trust my instincts, to focus on relationships between characters, and to "bring a brick, not a cathedral."
There's a tough lesson for me to learn if I want to succeed in improv: no one is perfect. As much as I try to say the perfect thing, or make the funniest scene ever, it doesn't happen. Despite my best efforts, I may totally miss a perfect cue, or occasionally forget to get the whos, whats, and wheres of the scenes out quickly.
And that's really okay. As we were doing scenes tonight, I realized that any scenario can go a ton of directions, and none of them are wrong. Each team member could take a cue a different way, and that's the beauty of it. When we let ourselves focus on just one line (a.k.a. brick) at a time, we can build an amazingly good scene. Although some "bricks" may be more funny or more complex, there isn't a wrong way. That's comforting to me.
Even though Jeff had pointers for all of us, and during many of our scenes he would give us ideas of how to improve, none of our scenes were bad. I do get flustered when someone sets up a scene and I have no clue how to respond, though. Most of all, I'm learning to trust my instincts, to focus on relationships between characters, and to "bring a brick, not a cathedral."
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
"If it feels weird, keep doing it"
That was the biggest lesson from last night's improv class. For me, improv is definitely one of the weirdest, most uncomfortable things I've ever done. Yet, even though it's only the second week, I already feel it becoming more familiar.
Part of that is because the rest of my classmates put me at ease, and they screw up or say something awkward just as often as I do. Our improv-guru, Jeff, made us start to see just how freeing it is to be a part of an improv team. One thing he said was, "every idea you have is the best idea ever." That's so comforting. No matter what you say, the rest of the team is going to be there to build upon your idea and make it look awesome.
And it's cool to do the same in return.
The biggest obstacle I have is my need to think. I have an irrational fear of saying the wrong thing or just plain looking stupid. But there's no time to think in improv. And from what I've experienced, gut reactions are the best. If I can just keep myself from thinking too hard, I think I'll be okay.
Part of that is because the rest of my classmates put me at ease, and they screw up or say something awkward just as often as I do. Our improv-guru, Jeff, made us start to see just how freeing it is to be a part of an improv team. One thing he said was, "every idea you have is the best idea ever." That's so comforting. No matter what you say, the rest of the team is going to be there to build upon your idea and make it look awesome.
And it's cool to do the same in return.
The biggest obstacle I have is my need to think. I have an irrational fear of saying the wrong thing or just plain looking stupid. But there's no time to think in improv. And from what I've experienced, gut reactions are the best. If I can just keep myself from thinking too hard, I think I'll be okay.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Day One
I just finished my first improv class at the Skinny, and I am bubbling over with excitement! But earlier today, I was kind of freaking out (almost to the point of not even showing up! Sad, right?). When I got to the theater, I was the first student to show up, which in itself was nerve-racking.
But soon, an older man named John showed up, followed by Beth and Kasey, and then Caleb. Our instructor for today, Jeffrey (because the Jeff who would normally lead our classes is sick) led us through some improv exercises that were kind of quirky, but oh-so-fun when you let yourself just go with them.
We played a name game, where we each say our names with a movement of some sort, and then have to memorize everyone else's. We also played "Zig, Zag, Zog" which is hard to explain in words, but I was totally the champ of that one! Yay!
Most importantly, we learned the one rule of improv: "Yes, and..." Basically what that means is you have to take what the other actors say or do, and then build upon it. Kind of an abstract idea, but it works. I think we can apply "Yes, and...." to everyday life by taking in what others say and not dismissing them right off the bat. When I look at it that way, it kind of seems like life in general is just one big improvisation game....
Overall, it was really interesting to meet some new people and see how well our personalities work together. Even though it was only the first night, I felt we all had a good chemistry and I bet the next seven weeks will fly by.
More updates next week!
But soon, an older man named John showed up, followed by Beth and Kasey, and then Caleb. Our instructor for today, Jeffrey (because the Jeff who would normally lead our classes is sick) led us through some improv exercises that were kind of quirky, but oh-so-fun when you let yourself just go with them.
We played a name game, where we each say our names with a movement of some sort, and then have to memorize everyone else's. We also played "Zig, Zag, Zog" which is hard to explain in words, but I was totally the champ of that one! Yay!
Most importantly, we learned the one rule of improv: "Yes, and..." Basically what that means is you have to take what the other actors say or do, and then build upon it. Kind of an abstract idea, but it works. I think we can apply "Yes, and...." to everyday life by taking in what others say and not dismissing them right off the bat. When I look at it that way, it kind of seems like life in general is just one big improvisation game....
Overall, it was really interesting to meet some new people and see how well our personalities work together. Even though it was only the first night, I felt we all had a good chemistry and I bet the next seven weeks will fly by.
More updates next week!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Inspiration
My name is Millie, and I'm from Springfield, MO. I'm a junior at Drury University, and I'm majoring in Writing and English. I'm probably what you would consider a bookish introvert for the most part, but I'm trying with all my heart to broaden my horizons.
So, I've decided to take an improvisation class.
I've pretty much been interested in improv since the first time I watched Whose Line is it Anyway? on TV. While watching off-and-on over the years, I found myself wishing wholeheartedly I could come up with half of the funny scenarios and one-liners that Colin, Ryan, and Wayne came up with.
My main inspiration for taking an improv class is this amazing comedy troupe here in Springfield called The Skinny Improv. Ever since I first saw one of their shows over two years ago, I've been hooked. Some of the performers did a show at Drury a couple of weeks ago, as part of our homecoming celebration. They mentioned an upcoming beginner-level improv class, and I was immediately set on checking into it.
I have a sneaking suspicion that I could be a fairly funny person. There are a couple of roadblocks to my funniness, though.... First of all, it seems like I'm only genuinely funny when I'm not trying. I have a difficult time being genuinely witty; if I do anything funny, it's usually by accident. And I always ruin jokes, because I can't for the life of me remember punchlines correctly.
Secondly, I'm more than occasionally the last one to catch on to jokes. I'm not sure whether I'm naïve or just slow, but I'm quite accustomed to literally having the last laugh. And, of course, there is my shyness and utter stage fright. I'd like to think that I've broken out of my shell considerably, but the idea of being up on stage frankly scares the shit out of me.
But hey, I'm committed to facing my fears and trying improv. What have I got to lose? If anything this 8 week class (which ends with a performance right before a Main Stage show--eeeek!!!) will be an adventure, and one more thing I can cross off of my to-do list. I'll be checking in each week and letting you know how my foray into the world of improv is going!
Be sure to check out The Skinny's website: theskinnyimprov.com
So, I've decided to take an improvisation class.
I've pretty much been interested in improv since the first time I watched Whose Line is it Anyway? on TV. While watching off-and-on over the years, I found myself wishing wholeheartedly I could come up with half of the funny scenarios and one-liners that Colin, Ryan, and Wayne came up with.
My main inspiration for taking an improv class is this amazing comedy troupe here in Springfield called The Skinny Improv. Ever since I first saw one of their shows over two years ago, I've been hooked. Some of the performers did a show at Drury a couple of weeks ago, as part of our homecoming celebration. They mentioned an upcoming beginner-level improv class, and I was immediately set on checking into it.
I have a sneaking suspicion that I could be a fairly funny person. There are a couple of roadblocks to my funniness, though.... First of all, it seems like I'm only genuinely funny when I'm not trying. I have a difficult time being genuinely witty; if I do anything funny, it's usually by accident. And I always ruin jokes, because I can't for the life of me remember punchlines correctly.
Secondly, I'm more than occasionally the last one to catch on to jokes. I'm not sure whether I'm naïve or just slow, but I'm quite accustomed to literally having the last laugh. And, of course, there is my shyness and utter stage fright. I'd like to think that I've broken out of my shell considerably, but the idea of being up on stage frankly scares the shit out of me.
But hey, I'm committed to facing my fears and trying improv. What have I got to lose? If anything this 8 week class (which ends with a performance right before a Main Stage show--eeeek!!!) will be an adventure, and one more thing I can cross off of my to-do list. I'll be checking in each week and letting you know how my foray into the world of improv is going!
Be sure to check out The Skinny's website: theskinnyimprov.com
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