Listening In at Blaze Pizza

I live by Blaze Pizza in Roseville. It's fantastic. Think Chipotle of Pizza. Fresh. Organic. Delicious. Did you know Lebron James helped create the chain? I didn’t! It doesn’t change anything, but it’s a interesting little bit of trivia. Go there. And, have fun, be someone else. I learned something this week. Listening is filled with nearly imperceptible gaps. If I wasn't role playing, I wouldn't have noticed
I should explain.

Every time I go to Blaze, I change up my name. I've been Todd, Robbie, and this past week I was Vermont. As Robbie I was passed along the Blaze assembly line. "Robbie, what kind of sauce would you like?" "Robbie, What toppings?" It's 60 feet of persona.

This week, however, as Vermont, something weird happened (weirder then role playing in a Blaze pizza you ask, while rolling your eyes. Yes!)

The Blaze attendant, let's call him John, added red sauce to my pizza, and as he pushed along my pizza, he said "thanks, Paul." At least, I thought he said, "thanks Paul." But, he couldn't have. I didn't know him. I wasn't wearing aname tag. Every time I go into Blaze I'm someone new. I was Vermont. I've never seen this guy, yet I could have sworn he said, "thanks, Paul."

What's happening? I think my brain shut off, and filled in some gaps. It made some assumptions. How many times have we been told, "thanks, ________." That gap is for your name. It happens hundreds of times. Makes sense your brain would eventually just fill in information it assumes will "go here, and here, and here."

It's like the brain is painting by numbers, and just figures where the numbers go.

That'll mess up your "listening," though. It effected me in Blaze. I've always thought I was a really good listener. I thought I heard most everything, and processed it really well. Maybe not! In fact, that moment reinforced it....definitely not.

How often do you think this happens? How often do you think your brain comes into a situation, hears a little bit, and assumes, "we'll take it from here," and tunes out the rest. It must happen on a micro-scale pretty frequently.

Do you think it happens to you onstage? The interaction with John shook me up. I "knew" I heard something that never existed. I responded to a ghost image. Truly listening is vigilant work moment to moment. I feel like the brain wants to sneak in and simply things with assumptions.

Stay vigilant! :)

Craig Perra Interview

D'oh! Technology! Sometimes you fail us! Things don't work, and you end up not posting a great interview with local Placer and Sacramento actor Craig Perra. A couple weeks ago Craig Perra was our storyteller for a very fun True Story. He's an experienced stage, and tv star, appearing on Lifetime, Katie (talk show), and locally at Stand Out Talent in Roseville, and now Blacktop Comedy! He shared everything from his time on the TV show Living With the Enemy, and being stabbed in Canada! None of us were expecting that level of honesty, but we sure appreciated it.

I had a chance to interview Craig after the show. He's a really great guy, who is trying to make the world a better place, and help people end their porn addiction. His website, and program, The Mindful Habit is a really valuable resource if you're struggling with porn addiction. If you know someone who is dealing with porn addiction, I would strongly recommend contacting Craig. We're not turning this post into a commercial, but his struggles have highlighted the challenges of dealing with porn addiction alone. 

Meet Craig Perra:

If you were a super hero what powers would you have? Why? Iron Man. His strength lies inside.

What's your lucky number? 10

What was your last dream about? Getting stabbed in the neck.

Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets? Why? Sunsets - they are way pretty and I've never been a morning person.

If you could breed two animals together to defy the laws of nature what new animal would you create? A dolphin and a human . . . think how cool that would be.

Do you prefer liquid soap or bars of soap? Why? Bar soap. I kick it old school.

Whats your favorite type of tree? Why? Palm Trees. They always make me feel like I'm on vacation.

Dinosaurs or Dragons? Why? Dragons. They spit fire.  

Who was your first best friend? My cousin Chris.

Which fictional character do you wish was real? Hulk.

What makes you nervous? Deadlines.

Have you ever given someone a handmade present? What was it? My wife says I can't say "yes, a cock sandwich." So, no. I've never given someone a handmade present.

What was your favorite school subject? Why? Psychology - I'm nuts.

What is your favorite book? Why?  The Autobiography of Malcolm X. I admire those that fight for those less fortunate and challenge the system.

Whats your preferred playing piece in monopoly? Top hat

Do you have any superstitions? We are all energy

Whats your favorite animated or cartoon program? Attack on Titan

Whats the last thing you took a picture of? A foam roller that I like at cryotherapy. It's bumpy.

Best Ice Breaker Improv Game for Groups

So many improv games. You have guessing improv games, character improv games, verbal wit improv games, step-out games, and many more.
Yep. There's a lot..

BUT!

There's one ice breaker, one warmup games, one get-comfortable-with-each-other activity that's universally loved. We've found it's the one game to rule them all. If you need to get attention quickly in a class, party, or improv workshop, this is what you should do.

SUPERHEROES.* (you might know it as Super Freeze, Catch Phrase, or 'that one game that's fun.')

Give the group an opportunity to become superheroes.
It's a gift....and everyone loves a gift. Everyone settles down and pays attention when they sense a gift is headed their way.

I first came across this game during an improv intensive at BATS in San Francisco (I highly recommend!).

"How do we play this magnificent game that unites people? How do I bring people together this Saturday night at my shindig?" you're wondering.

You begin by having all participants circle up (all improv exercises seem to be done in a 'circle' or 'two lines facing each other.' It's an unwritten law.)

One person begins by sharing their superhero name, and pose. The easiest way to create a super hero name is using alliteration. For instance, I'd be Punching Paul, or Pacifist Paul, or Pleading Paul....you get the idea. And, don't forget the pose. Every superhero has their pose. (check out the picture above for inspiration).

Continue around the circle. Everyone creates their super hero name and pose. When a new superhero and pose is created, everyone in the circle should repeat the name and pose in unison (memory will play a big part of the game).

Huzzah! Mission accomplished! Everyone has their name and pose. Now, let's play.

Person A repeats their superhero name and pose, and then 'passes' the energy to anyone in the circle (we'll call this Person B) by saying Person B's superhero name and pose. Person B begins by saying their name and pose, and then passes the energy to anyone in the circle (we'll call this Person C) by saying Person C's superhero name and pose.

Etc...etc...etc..

You did it! A successful round of Superheroes has been played! People love the game.

Wait! That's not all! The game comes with variations.

Let's try some variations.

• Remove the words, and just use poses

• Remove the superhero name, and replace with a catchphrase (for instance, Pleading Paul's catchphrase might be "Can't We All Get Along?")

• You must always change your catch phrase each time the energy returns to you.

Why is this game successful? I think we all secretly wish we had a secret identity. It's fun to pretend, and be told "it's OK to pretend." Adults, teens, and kids, all love this game. I hope it's a big success for you during your next improv training or workshop.

*You might know this game by another name. You'll find improv names, and even game steps are regional, and vary from spot to spot.. The same improv exercise in San Francisco might go by a different name in Roseville and Sacramento improv games. One day I'll map game name movements. It'll look like some improv game migration pattern.