Well, hello there.
Every night after improv, or every time I return from doing something fun, or often when I hear or see something ridiculous, I think about this blog. And I think I should write. But then I don’t because other stuff gets in the way. And so it goes. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Improv the past two weeks has been incredible. Challenging? Yes, and so excellent. Last week I left class (it was about solidifying the scene) feeling a little blah–not as much as I had at other times, but just enough to overthink all my problematic scenes or exercises.
But then on Wednesday, J and I had practice with one of the classmates from his advanced class. HOLY WOW! I felt on-fire. Yes, there were scenes I did (we did just two person scenes) that were weaker, but overall, I felt myself doing some fabulous stuff. Really reaching deep and pulling out a big emotion or focusing on setting up a location. Wednesday practices give me faith that I may just be able to pick this improv stuff up afterall.
Class yesterday heightened that feeling (look at me, using improv words outside of improv world!). The exercises were challenging, but I put my all into them. I felt silly at times, even botched up one–but I my classmates and instructors just rolled with it. And yes, it’s very true, mistakes in improv can be gems.
In one exercise, which seemed horribly terrifying in the beginning, we were given a location and had to play within the environment but without talking or pretending there was another person around. The teacher would call out expand and we’d play with whatever we were stuck on, finding different ways or bigger emotions to work with. When he called out advance, we’d continue along, advancing the scene, maybe finding someplace else to go or finding something else to pick up.
My place was the Metro. So I started by attempting to insert a Metro card into the slot. I hear “expand,” and I bend the card, rub the card, shove the card in again and again. At the cue “advance,” I put the card in my pocket, open the emergency exit gate and walk through. I’m now on the platform. I stretch out over the platform, crane my neck, looking for the train. I’m impatient. I check my watch. I sit down on the bench. I make a disgusted face and pull my bag closer to me, cross my legs and read. Eventually, after expanding and advancing, I’m frantically pacing the platform, yelling and grunting and so, so annoyed and furious that the train is not yet here. Oh, and I think it started raining too. Yeah, I yelled really loud.
I know there are ways I could’ve done better. I accidentally started “talking” to some invisible station manager before remembering we weren’t supposed to do that. Instead, I could’ve just thrown down the card and walked through the gate. And I could’ve finally had the train arrive, and I’m so busy pacing and screaming that I miss it, causing more anger. I’m sure there are way better things I could’ve done if I was better at miming.
But I’m still awesomely proud of what I did. Mainly because I didn’t wait to be last.
I did a fun scene with Lisa too. Two catty girls–high schoolers, we’ll say–who were in a bathroom, making insults about hair and clothing. I can’t really recall specifics except something about a 1996 copy of Vogue and my acid-washed jeans. It seemed like we were listening, reacting and heightening, and the scene went fairly smoothly. Although, it was so conflict-y. When you heighten to the point that both people are yelling, how do lose and still say in character?!?
After class, as we all gathered our things to leave, the teacher reaffirmed that as you practice more and as you get more used to jumping in with emotions, characters, environment, relationship, heightening, it all really does become more natural and instinctual. Building up that mind muscle and stuff.
So, there ya go. Two weeks anticipating my next post, and it’s all about improv. I’ll throw in a few odds and ends to dilute its strong improv-concentration. This season of “Lost” is already amazing after only the premiere. Today is Fat Tuesday, and I’m seeing a whole bunch of people tonight and celebrate with fruity drinks. And Saturday is a fun trip to Annapolis with k.ball people.
Now only 96 percent improv.
