Newbie Resolution

In 2011 I took a running leap of a big cliff. 

Or at least that's how it felt. 

And I'm still here to talk about it. 

For years I'd watched from the audience and ruminated on the subject -- but I was  terrified to try improv.  My friends were sick of hearing it.  "I want to try improv, I want to try improv."   But improv was for the terribly quick, much brighter, much more talented, much braver performers than I.  Finally, a few months ago I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and jumped.  

From the time I could walk and talk all I ever wanted to do was act.    I love good writing -- really good writing.  I revel in great words -- words meant to be spoken -- rhythm and pacing,  sentences and paragraphs arranged like great architecture.  I love Sondheim and Sorkin and Mamet-- and I'd pretty much sacrifice one of my lesser used limbs to have a chance to work with their words. 

But I've also become afraid of my own inner voice.  Afraid I don't have enough to offer when I get the scripts in my hand.  Also, after years spent as a producer, crafting and honing visions that belong to other people, I've kind of lost site of my own.   

So I jumped.  And what do you know -- I landed safely in the company of the funniest, nicest most welcoming band of characters I could imagine.  And I'm still scared.  But I'm having more and more fun every week. 

2011 was about jumping off the cliff.  And I did.  And I didn't die.  So, that's good. Right? Right.

  

2012 is about taking chances, being brave, learning a craft, relocating that inner voice and having fun. Lots and lots of fun.  

Come down and see us sometime. 

Improv Resolution

Muscle confusion is all the rage in regards to exercise trends. Its purpose is to work as many different body parts as possible, so as to prevent plateauing with weight loss. Numerous studies have been performed that indicate repetitive exercise habits (ie. run forty-five minutes per day and do fifty push-ups) are often not as effective. Programs such as “P90X” are devoted to this principle.

You may now think I am some sort of physiological genius; I’m not. Let’s just say my waistline has seen better days. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the value in this type of regimented training.

I am a nine-to-fiver by day and improviser by night. Making up stories with The Mop & Bucket Company is my cathartic release from a job that doesn’t change much. I’m constantly working the same mental muscle for my position by responding to appeals or complaints from my company’s clients. I’ve also developed (unfortunately) the same habit when performing.

We as improvisers will always have preferences. There is no hesitation when I see a desired scene partner on stage; I’ll jump at the chance to create another spontaneous relationship with them due to our familiarity and comfort level. I’d also prefer to crush a three-minute scene than bear the responsibility of carrying a sixty-minute long-form show.

In essence, this practice is hindering my growth as an improviser. Do we all marry the first person we ever dated? Hell no! Then why do we choose to perform with the first people who “got us” as improvisers? Or repeatedly take the lead in the same format?

The answer is simple. We - I, am scared. Scared that this new person is better than me, will bring me down with their subpar improvising, or that I’ll look dumb and uninformed playing a new game! The fact is that continuing this practice will not lead to further enlightenment, but improv plateauing. Even if a scene doesn’t work, we can embrace the failure as a learning experience.

Don’t work the same improv muscle because it is convenient and easy. Play with new scene partners and learn to adapt to their strengths and weaknesses. Offer to play a new game where the rules are difficult to grasp. Take classes with a new group or school.

I’m trying to accomplish the last thing I mentioned, as I have completed two courses at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theater in New York City. Their focus is the Harold, a long-form game that I am just now familiarizing myself with. The classes have offered me an opportunity to break out of my comfort zone and perform scenes with both improv novices and seasoned veterans.

To say this experience is overwhelming would be an understatement. But, you don’t become successful without taking risks. Get out there and try something new.

Welcome. My first attempt at a post on our new blog...OK, second. It took me five minutes to stop typing in Hindi and get it to be English. Must be my Karma.