Wave More
Relax. What's the harm in saying hi? While walking through the parking lot this morning, I saw a friend in her Toyota Corolla, and waved.
Relax. What's the harm in saying hi? While walking through the parking lot this morning, I saw a friend in her Toyota Corolla, and waved. Well, I thought it was my friend, until the car continued past me, a complete stranger behind the driver seat waving back at me. I immediately felt embarrassed, my face flushed red. What was I thinking? Better yet, what must that stranger be thinking?
My embarrassment lasted only a couple seconds, before I realized: Relax. There's no harm in saying hi. I just greeted someone, which is a thoughtful gesture, regardless of the situation.
The experience made me think about improv and how we can hold back onstage. We can bury our ideas, our onstage 'wave,' because we worry we might look foolish. My team would hate if I said that. Honestly, if your intention is to help the scene, you can never make a bad move. Your team will appreciate the contribution, because it signals you care about scene. If you're focused on building a scene with someone, every gesture is brilliant.
Three Reasons to See Teen Slasher
If you know me, you know I love keeping things light & upbeat. [Warning: incredibly sarcastic statement ahead] Paul was shocked when I asked to be the director.
If you know me, you know I love keeping things light & upbeat. [Warning: incredibly sarcastic statement ahead] Naturally, I’m the perfect choice for directing Blacktop’s latest show, Teen Slasher. Paul was shocked when I asked to be the director. “You’re rainbows and baby kittens,” he responded, You sure you’re up for this?”
For the next week, I watched lots of scary movies, and I did a lot of thinking…. and some screaming. Yep, I concluded, I want to direct Teen Slasher.
Over the past two months, Teen Slasher has developed into something incredible. What makes it different? Three things:
1. Mystery killer! No one knows who the killer is….even the improvisers! The killer is revealed to the audience and performers at the same moment.
2. Splatter factor! Be ready for the bloodiest improv you’ll ever see. (First couple rows receive free ponchos.)
3. An incredible cast! I am so proud of these performers. They have worked tirelessly to create the funniest show possible.
The stage transforms this Friday, and every Friday in October for Teen Slasher. We will see you at the theater. You will want to let people know, “I saw that show!”
-Betsaida Lebron
Teen Slasher Director
Use and Explore Your 'Yesterday' On Stage
Yesterday, a friend suffered a stroke. Don't worry, he's OK. The ambulance arrived, the Sacramento EMTs were attentive, and he was rushed to a hospital. He's OK.
Yesterday, a friend suffered a stroke. Don't worry, he's OK. The ambulance arrived, the Sacramento EMTs were attentive, and he was rushed to a hospital. He's OK. (I recounted the story to a class last night, but failed to mention he was OK...until the very end. Understandably, the class was a little stressed. I shan't bury the lead again!) All this happened at about 8am. Now, le's skip ahead to 11am. Time jump!
I'm sitting in my cubicle, typing some reports. Menial task, no big deal, but noticed something interesting. I was making a lot of noise. I was really striking the keyboard, while typing. I was being aggressive. Towards a keyboard? "That's weird, and unnecessary," I thought. But, it was necessary. It was necessary, because I was stressed out. A friend had a stroke! The tension and anxiety I had buried, was seeping out. I was "beating up" a keyboard for some cathartic release.
"So, um, how does this relate to improv?" Good question!
One of the best teachers I have ever had, Mark Sutton of the Annoyance Theater in Chicago, once told me, "don't move the object, let the object move you." The way you move something informs your character. Do you like that object? Hate it? Ashamed? Motivated? Be aware of how something affects you. Everything can affect you on stage... if you let it.
You also need to let yourself observe (the audience is observing everything, so you better too). How are those objects affecting your partner? Is he pounding on a keyboard? Explore that! I didn't realize I was pounding on a keyboard until I asked myself, "why?" Everything has a 'why' onstage, and you can uncover that, if you're patient and open. Even if you don't know it, the things you do onstage happen for a reason. Have fun discovering why that happened!
-Paul Burke
You can find Paul Burke every week in Roseville teaching at Blacktop Comedy and performing on Saturday night with The Colony.