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 heroes from Whose Line.

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