Another Friday in the audience

J, a few of the classmates, and I saw our teacher’s show, as well as the improvised musical. Teacher’s show this week was not as great as last week’s, but to no fault of the performers. They had a really weak suggestion, so really, they did the best with what they had to work with. The musical — AMAZING! No idea how they do it. I mean, yes, I know it’s all about natural reacting, callbacks, group mind melding, blah, etc. But HOW anyone can do that? No idea.

After the show we went to RFD and again hung out with the teacher. A few shots and beers later, we were all babbling. Teacher even brought up to a classmate a scene that particularly bothered me. I was surprised at her reaction to his critique. (She didn’t seem to agree or get it.) But after talking with him further, I agreed with him that it really depends on the situation and what you have your character do with the given scene. If a partner goes off on her own because she’s not listening to you, how much disagreeing are you going to do before you just let your character go along with the new suggestion, no matter how bad. Ah well, it’s one of those learning situations, and one of those situations where you realize that there is a reason why people want to make sure they gel with each other’s style.

It was another good, fun night. I’m debating whether I want to see the show again next Friday. Part of me thinks it’s a bit groupie-ish. But on the other hand, there are only two weeks left fo the shows. I feel I should see as much as I can if I can while I can. If I haven nothing else happening, seems a good thing to do.

Tonight is another kball party. I’m making my costume, which may or may not work. At last I have tried.

Brick in stomach

That’s a little bit how I feel today after improv class last night. I usually start off Thursdays feeling so hyped and ISITWEDNESDAYALREADY? This morning, I feel just blah about the class. On a personal level, I think I had some good, even if small, moments of awesomeness.

I had few (maybe not any?) scenes or games where I just stood there going, “WTF do I say or do?” In one scene, where my group was in the trenches during World War I, I started off just kneeling on the floor, hands covering head. Complete cowering position. Definitely not the strongest way to start a scene, but I had no idea what else to do. As the scene moved forward, and I just sat there, I realized I needed to do something, anything, and so I jumped up and pointed over yonder, “Look, I see a white flag.” I thought someone would say, since we had previously talked about support, “OH! Me too! The war is over!”

But. My group just continued with their fighting, so I shouted out, “Oh wait, no, it’s not there.” And ducked back down. A minute or so went by, and I did the same thing, “OK, look really! There’s a flag.” Thankfully, one person jumped up beside me and added, “Yeah, I see it too. … WAIT! It’s not ours!” And we both fell back down to the ground together.

After class, I learned from J that during World War I, no one was laying, cowering in the trenches. Ooopsies. But good for me, that I was cowering and I didn’t care. Doing the flag thing again was also a good nod to repetition.  Perhaps had the scene developed, my character would’ve been the WAIT! Oh. No, Nevermind Person. He’ could’ve been named Fred.

“Ohmigod! We’re out of bullets! Oh, wait. No, here’s a box.”

“Everyone is dead and I’m alone! Oh, look, there you guys are. Glad you’re here.”

Of course, that would’ve required everyone contributing something new and different. Which, I don’t know that we all did.
Before that game, we played one called Hitchhiker. Three people were riding in a car, a fourth person jumped in, entered with a line and an emotion. It was the job of the rest of the people in the car to aceept and play using that emotion, no matter what they were doing before.

I’m not really sure what the emotion was, but a classmate hopped in the car acting out that he was cruising around, hoping to pick up chicks. So that’s who I became — a guy wanting to get laid. Toward the end of the scene, I leaned my head out the window and made some expressions and gestures that involved my tongue.

Sigh. Not something my grandmother would be proud of (or even pick up on), but HEY! It’s improv, and that seemed like a natural reaction to what my character was doing.

The TA was howling and gave me a shout out at the end of the scene.

In both Hitchhiker scenes, when I entered, I used a scene that just happened for inspiration. In the scene where I played an animal liberator–the previous scene was a car full of chimps jumping around (what emotion was that supposed to convey? I have no idea.). For my second scene, my initial intent was someone stranded in the forest for 20 days and this car finally found me. Inspiration there–someone in the previous scene said they saw a moose.  (The scene fell apart so fast because some car-mates weren’t listening to me and wanted to create a fun road trip. How that had anything to do with what I was doing, I have no idea.)

My associations and connections were not deep, maybe even too obvious. (Although I think the monkey/monkey free-er bit could’ve been good if given the right people and development.) But good for me for letting what was happening inspire my next thought. Next step is to work on really paying attention to the scene right until the moment arrives when I’m supposed to jump in.

Other scenes were just awful. Simply bad. No place to go. No idea what we were doing.

I’ll focus on my areas needing improvement:

1. I need to enter with a stronger line. I’m doing much better at thawing my brain freeze and saying something, anything. During Hitchhiker and Survivor, I was able to fairly quickly be some kind of character, even if only weakly developed. I knew what I was doing right then, but instead of entering the scene with “I just broke into the lab and freed the monkeys! I’m awesome,” I came into the car saying, “I AM AWESOME! I am great.” My car-mates played off that line, about how great they are. So when I shouted out, “I freed the monkeys,” it was completely lost. Same thing goes with the retirement home scene in survivor, I took on the role as a girl coming to see her grandfather. I didn’t act out the girl role as strongly in the beginning, so it wasn’t picked up on by others right away. I need to enter and initiate with something strong.

2. I need to involve more action and physicality. Even when responding. I still do too much standing, talking. And I’m not doing as much, “yes, and…” as I could be doing.

3. Listening. It was very challenging to do yesterday because the scenes were just not going well. Instead of listening to what the person before me said, and then the person after me, I became flustered and frustrated. If I listen better, I’ll be able to play off all that, and thus, no flustering or frustration. Although, it’s really, really tough when I partner is way out in left field and you’re thinking, “what the F are you doing?!?!”

Oh, and just as soon as we started Big Booty — I got the boot by screwing up the rhythm. S’OK. It was time for me to leave that spot in the game anyway.

Again, it was a tough night. Not nearly as ha-ha fun as the previous two classes had been. But that’s OK. Because while it’s good to laugh and play, I also want to grow as a potential performer. Or at least a good partner. The only way to do that is to have some nights were things are hard and even suck.

And, tomorrow most of the class is going together to see shows. YAY for improv obsession mania.!

Actually, no

I’m not nearly as Improv Geeky as I thought:

I took the Improv Geek quiz. My score: 6.36364%  (or as I’m labeled, “More like improv weak.”)

Considering I’ve seen only one, read only one book, and am only two weeks into my first class–that’s not so terrible a score.

Weekend highs

Friday night J and I went to see performances by Season Six and Caveat, two of the performing groups with Washington Improv Theater.

Funny? Of course. What was even better was seeing our teacher perform with Season Six. Seeing how he used all the different skills he’s teaching us (and seeing how he handled the slip ups) made for many aha! moments. And the four guys of Caveat — they really have their group mind pulled together.

J and I then went out with the improv people after the show, having a few drinks with them, doing a lot of shop talk and we closed down the bar with some of them. An Internet article I was reading stated how important it is to not eat, sleep, drink, obsess about improv–you have to have a life outside. And that makes sense for a few reasons–how can I create a scene when someone shouts out $65 million pants, if I’m not aware of anything happening outside of the world that I create.

But, oh man, right now it’s kinda tough not being obsessed. I really want to fast forward three years to the time when I’m in a troupe. (Who knows, it may be less than that, but i think that’s a fair time frame for somone who is still struggling with making something out someone’s simple pose.)

Improv Teacher said some great things, however. He seems to think J and I have some talent. I’m hoping that’s not false hope he’s spreading. I have admittedly had some good moments, but I’m so far from seeing myself as a real performer. But I really don’t think he’d just make it up to be friendly.

Oh, and one of the classes will be dedicated to storytelling, and he already gave me a heads up on the secret — the seven-line story. On Saturday, I kept searching around me for a random object or word and attempted to make seven-line stories based on something from the object. My first story–a shampoo scientist who followed his dream to write copy for cereal boxes. I even had a line about how the shampoo scientist crossed the picket line of a strike and was pelted by Grape Nuts.

A bit random, yes, it is. But it’s improv, so I’m sure working with the right partner or two, it could’ve really gone in some good directions.

Saturday was the kball mid-season party. The turn out was really light, but that was expected since the venue was unknown for so long and then changed at the last minute. Everyone seemed to have a great time (a teammate of mine had a bit too much fun). And Sunday was a slow-moving, late wake up day for me.

House/apartment hunting is not progressing very well. I have a hunch I’ll be trying to find someone for my extra room. Not that I can’t live with that. I just really wanted to move to Virginia. Ah well, there’s still time.

TGIF

I’m so happy it’s Friday and the week is over. That means I’m just a few days closer to Improv class No. 3!

(Oh, no. Not another post about beloved improv!)

Since no one reads this anyway, and since it’s basically replaced my pen-to-paper journal, I will spend as much time as I want retelling tales of improv.

On Wednesday a small group of us arrived early to do a few drills and lines for a local cable channel that was doing a piece on the improv school. I know I shouldn’t have been nervous, but I was working with some of the “professionals” (as I have been calling them) and I was just like, “Well, I’ve done only one class, so I really don’t know anything and so I’m just like <blank stare>.” While I didn’t do so hot, I was OK with it, because I think it will be good to show the range of experience and illustrate that even the blankest minds can have fun with improv classes.

So afterwards we went downstairs to meet up with our class. As was previous, it was so fun and so enlightening. We played Big Booty again and I was able to keep my spot for the entire time. Stuart was trying his best to screw me up, but HA! I am too bootylicious for that. Next week will be really fun because everyone will be going for my jugular. Bring it. It will actually be really, very fun when I finally get out.

Reading “Truth in Comedy” has really helped me out so much as I go into the class each week. I completely understand the point of not working to be funny. Funny just happens when you act out naturally. I think that’s why “The Office” and “Arrested Development” are just so much more hysteric than, say “How I Met Your Mother.” None of the characters from the two former shows are trying to crack jokes and one-liners. Everyone is just developing relationships and interacting with other characters. Absurdity and randomness that tie together and bring a set of scenes full circle — THAT is what’s funny.

Highlight of the class was a group of three or four with one person telling a story and the others in the group miming the actions of the story. Again, not a good storytelling week for me. This is obviously my weakness. I’m still hoping and waiting for my natural ability to click.

After class, Joe and I went to My Brother’s Place to get food, but the kitchen was closed so we headed over to Hamilton’s. And we talked improv, improv, improv, a little bit of kickball, and then more improv. It was fabulous.

Yesterday I checked out an apartment in Old Town Alexandria. The craigslist ad sounded promising and the guy rented out the other room seemed cool enough. But when I arrived my eyes must’ve shown my expression of shock because the conversation rapidly became awkward. Smaller than a closet. So, so very small. Possibly even too small for a one-bedroom. As I left and walked back to the Metro, my gut was that this was not a good fit, but I kept making up things to convince myself I could do it. I could get rid of some of my furniture and clothes. I could even get rid of my car if there’s no cheap parking. The list went on.

But as the night went on too, I just knew it was a bad idea.

Luckily, the renter must’ve sensed the same, because he emailed me this morning, saying he selected someone else.

I feel a little rejected (YOU can’t reject ME!) but ultimately, it was a good call. At least it’s not one that has to be made by me. Honestly, I should’ve just expressed my true sense of “well, this is much smaller than I expected” when I first walked in. That would’ve saved both of us a lot of time and effort, rather than me saying, “Oh, this is really cute. I don’t have a TV so I’d be in good shape. (awkward half-laugh)”

So thus continues the adventures of Brewmistress looking for a new home — chances are, I will be living in Silver Spring again. Sigh.

Improv today!

Today is Improv School Day, and I’m already so excited and it’s only 10:30 a.m.

Is it bad that I’m already creating this new improv dork life for myself after only one class? I’m waiting to get enough experience under my belt so I can join a message board and banter about my favorite games and smartest moments. I’m imagining the different festivals that I can travel to with my troupe, and how I’ll schedule vacation time for the random road trips. I can’t wait to send out a giant evite to everyone, inviting them to see my showcase at the end of my first class.

All this and I’ve done only one class?

A local cable channel is doing a piece on the improv classes, so a few of us are improving an improv class before my real class at 7. I’m shooing away all my “ohmigod, what if I suck?” anxieties. I keep telling myself that things will just happen and flow and there’s no need to worry.

If only I could practice that thought more in real life.

Things fell through in a big way with the house I was looking at with other people. No, as of now, no house-in-Clarendon-just-minutes-from-the-Metro for me. I’ve been asking around to friends and k.ball people, asking if anyone needs a new ‘mate. It seems I’m either two months early or late for every transitioning living arrangement. So I’ve been looking at ads on Craigslist, trying to find the perfect new place.

Ideally, I’d like less than $800 total, a townhouse or small house, no more than two other ‘mates (four is the max), close-ish to Metro. I don’t want a studio. I’d love my own place, I think, but I don’t want to live in a closet for $995. I’ve seen some good options, and a place I intend to see on Friday has it’s own pool?!?! That would be awesome even though it’s 2-3 miles from the nearest Metro stop.

So, I’m not stressing. I know things will work out OK. If by early October none of my moving out options seem viable, I’ll look seriously for someone to take Wooha’s room. I’ll be a little bummed about another year in The Spring, but at least I’ll still be close to the Metro.

Both for work and for my new hobby as an improv geek.

Movin’ out…hopefully

I visited the house that a friend is possibly going to rent. We didn’t have the keys to get in, but I was able to see its location, the exterior and a bit of inside while peeping through windows. Location, indeed! Only two, maybe three blocks, from the Clarendon metro stop. Hopefully all will go well, and if it does, I will be moving out of Mo. Co. and in to Northern Virginia.

I don’t want to dwell much on that, however, because there are still too many uncertainties.

After visiting the house and having a few drinks at Whitlow’s, (It was mug night. I actually bought a mug this time. Hopefully I’ll get to use it frequently.) I went to MBP to catch up with the Thursday k.ball crew. I must’ve told at least six people about improv. I recapped some of the funny moments and excitedly gushed about how fun and comfortable the class is. J and I are going to have such a huge fan section during the showcase.

Then I was home and I was thinking about what I want to be when I grow up. I glanced through some of my bookmarks on Safari and found one for a page on personal histories. I then remembered how I previously talked of starting my own business writing personal histories and memoirs.

As I walked to the Metro this morning, I kept thinking about it, coming up with all the many ways I could make it work. This area especially has so much wealth and so many people who have such great stories. It just seems like the perfect place.

Meanwhile, back in real world, current job is what it is. High points and low points. Etc. Etc. Thank goodness it’s Friday.

Fake it ’til I make it (funny, that is)

Sooooo….looks like I never got around to finishing my post from Tennessee. You’ll just have to wait several years until my memoir is published. Since then, I traveled to San Francisco for another conference. I told everyone I was going to San Fran — most of the time, however, I was in Palo Alto at Stanford. I’ve learned that Palo Alto isn’t really even close enough to be a suburb. But it was still a good trip.

What’s more fun to share now is my start into the world of improvisational comedy. I’m taking an eight-week Foundations of Improv class through the Washington Improv Theater. My first class was last night, and it went much better than I expected.

Background: Ever since seeing Mee-Ow my freshman year at Northwestern, I have had a crush on improv. I used to think that the performers really must study and rehearse and practice something–anything–related to any possible word a person throws at them. Oh, so much work, I thought! But since learning that wasn’t how they did it, I wanted to take a class myself. So I finally did it! I enrolled in the class I’m in now.

There are about 11 students right now. I’m sure two or three will drop out within the eight weeks, which is kinda sad because I already had so much fun with them. We did goofy games reminiscent of Girl Scout icebreakers. Games that when we played them in ninth grade, made me roll my eyes and try to find a way out. And yes, at first my instinct was “Oh no. Say my name and make a gesture? And then repeat someone else’s gesture? Ugh.”

BUT the cool thing about the class and my fellow students — is that it’s a real mix of bold and quiet. Some people are already pretty uninhibited. They’re bold and big in their gestures. A few others, like me, are more timid. I know we’ll get better and open up more, but for the time, it’s a comfortable setting around people who are A-OK acting like goofs while also not feeling the pressure to immediately be just like them.

As for me — I was actually impressed with some of what I said and did. I had a few good zingers and received some kudos from the teacher and laughs from my peers. For one game I had to act out a suggestion at what someone was doing, which was sorting through her dirty underwear drawer. So I did what seemed natural — pulled open the drawer, picked up a pair, sniffed pair (laughs) and then licked them (gross, but more laughs). I became the panty sniffer/person who tastes everything. I even used that character (is that the right word?) in a later game.

I was also weaker during some of the games. (Tell a story about the moon? Ummmmm….ok. I’m an awful storyteller.) But I still did my best and got through them. I’m really excited for next week.

In other news, I may be moving out of my apartment in Maryland and into a house in Virginia. Details are still pending.

And a rant/dilemma: I love the new song from Timbaland. It really gets my booty shaking. I learned its title is called “The Way I Are.” Now, maybe this line is sung in the song, but I am horrible with picking up lyrics, so learning of the title today while reading Express just broke my Medill-trained heart. The dilemma is now — do I still express my love of this song when it is played? Or do I ignore it in protest? I’m not a grammar hard-ass as much as other people. But still. That’s just awful.

I’ll probably dance to it for now anyway. Chances are, I will grow tired of it within a few weeks.