Improv Shakespeare Workshop Saturday

If you're thinking about taking the Improvised Shakespeare workshop: do it!

If you're still thinking about it, say hellow to Michael Lewis. He'll be teaching the class this Saturday at Blacktop Comedy Theater in Rocklin. I had a chance to ask him some questions.

What are some of your favorite improv teams?

Some of my favorite "dead" improv teams: Bitter Noah, Alexis Stiencamp, and Pete and Paul Explain it all. These were all teams from iO West in the early 2000's. Some of my favorite "living" improv teams: Beer, Shark, Mice, Improvised Shakespeare, and Hello Laser.

You're a great improviser. Was there a moment you realized, you wanted to be involved in comedy? What was that moment?
I don't remember the first moment but I feel in love with improv from about the first time I started improvising at 17 in Bakersfield. I continue to fall in love with improv the more I learn about what is possible as an improvisor, teacher, and artist. My god I'm a sappy romantic for improv. 

When and where did you begin improvising?
I started improvising in hight school with ComedySportz Bakersfield in 1995. 

Where have you studied?
I was introduced to improvisation through ComedySportz where I performed for about 7 years. I was introduced to long form and got what my serious improv training at iO West. I also take the opportunity to study at improv festivals, and at improv theaters whenever I get the chance to.

What do you love most about improv?
Improv is pure process, our work is never done. You get to hold on to nothing. Your best work and your worst work is completely ephemeral you have to step onto stage and begin anew every time.

Is there a favorite character you've created?

I don't think so but my favorite character fictional or actual person is Timothy "Speed" Leveitch. He is a real person who is endlessly fascinating, go watch The Cruise.

What do you hope students learn in your class?

I hope that all of my students will learn to get out of their own way and let their subconscious lead them. Don't trust your thinky brain it will almost always lead you astray. Be present and trust that how you feel is how you should be feeling.

What's the most valuable piece of advice you received from a teacher?

Trust how you feel and follow that.  Your feelings are never wrong. I can't quote anything accurately but that is what I took from Dave Razowsky.

The Secret? Watch More Improv!

As a teacher at Blacktop Comedy you field a lot of questions. The more frequent question?

"How do I get better?"

Look, I get it! A desire to improve, to become a more skillful performer is natural (sidenote: if you have a teacher who feels they know everything, and aren't still working on their abilities/skills/approach, I'd encourage you to study elsewhere.)

The path to improvement is a pretty simple equation, and works whether you're in improviser in Roseville, Sacramento, LA, Chicago or New York:

Practice + Performance + Watching = Improvement

That's it! Keep practiving, jump onstage to perform when chances arise, and, don't forget, go WATCH improv. Check out the groups in your area. All of them. Don't marry yourself to one theater. Go see what's happening everywhere, because you'll discover what you like, what you want to learn, and what you want to avoid.

Now, it's your lucky day! The San Francisco Improv Festival is in town. Honestly, it's in your own city right now....on the internet. Have you checked out the ustream channel for the San Francisco Improv Festival? Do it! You can watch some of the best improv in the world descend on San Francisco! Who can you see? Well, Razowsky & Hamilton, The Freeze, Kind Strangers, King Ten, WeirDass, BATS Improv, Dr. God, Comedysportz, Five Play Improv, Messing with a Friend, and more. I hope you take advantage of the ustream channel.