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!
Monday, April 27, 2009
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!
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