Rocklin Theater Scene is Growing

What are your plans this weekend? You have lots of great opportunities for shows in Rocklin and Roseville. Of course, you have improv this Saturday night. We're working with Omi Mahina to bring you a blend of belly dancing and improv. We call it Belly Laughs. We know you will love the show. It's more like improv comedy 2.0. You might have seen it before, but like every show at Blacktop Comedy, Belly Laughs has undergone some changes. It's now a leaner, funnier, and a more beautiful show. If you are looking for a comedy club to bring the laughs, come to Belly Laughs. But, you know what? Rocklin and Roseville have lots of entertainment options when it comes to theater. Rocklin Community Theater, which performs at Finn Hall, is performing Nice Work...If You Can Get It! Their productions are incredible. They have a live band, and Finn Hall is a beautiful Historic Building. Betsaida and I always try and catch the shows at Rocklin Community Theater. I think we're going this Sunday. Want to join us in Rocklin for a Sunday matinee? Sidenote, Rocklin Community Theater has a really nice website. Kudos to how clean and functional it is guys! (one day we'll have a site as clean as their (it's coming soon!)).

And, don't forget Roseville. If you're thinking, "I sure could go for some Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," you're in luck! The Roseville Theatre Arts Academy is performing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat through Saturday, July 25th. If you're looking for Roseville Theatre Arts Acaadmy directions, just keyword search RTAA, and it'll pop up on your Google maps.

Unfortunately, Stand Out Talent is dark this weekend. But they do incredible shows off Vernon Street too. They can be found at the Tower Theater. Stand Out Talent just finished a touching run of RENT.

I know. That's a lot of shows. How do you take it all in and not miss anything. Need a game plan? Here's my suggestion. This Friday, grab some dinner at Monks Cellar (they have some incredible beers on tap too. We love the atmosphere. It feels classy, but not in that 'you are going to wear that here?. You should be ashamed.' It's not overbearing classy.), walk across Vernon Street  to Roseville Theater and catch watch Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Saturday, come watch one of the most original works at Blacktop Comedy, Belly Laughs with special guest Nick Armstrong (more on this tomorrow!). Don't stop the awesome theater comedy train! Sunday, catch the matinee of Nice Work...If You Can Get It! with the Rocklin Community Theater.

Learning the Guitar

*I started writing this blog post with the intention of talking about my Roseville teacher, and the importance of listening. As I was writing, my fingers hijacked the article and have created a....well...mess of this blog post.* I'm learning the guitar. They say it's important to never stop learning. It's also very important to manage, and ultimately let go of anger. Learning a new instrument is a great way to tackle both issues! Two birds, one stone!

Damn, I had no idea it's so challenging. How am I supposed to curve my hand around the neck like that? Do I need to be possessed? Possessed people seem to be able to contort themselves really well. I've seen movies. The devils makes everyone so flexible. Possession is a much quicker way if you're looking for flexibility. Boom! Take that Hot Yoga. Sure, I lose my soul, but I won't pass out in a room 120 degrees.

Gaaahhhhhhh! I want to choke the frets off this guitar.

Frets are tiny nubs on the guitar, and 'nubs' is a great word when you don't know how to adequately describe a fret.

This woman in Roseville is trying to teach me guitar. She's a wonderful teacher, and very knowledgeable. She even makes handouts with drawings of hand placements on the neck of the guitar. This paper is just mocking me. It looks so easy for this stick figure.

My teacher's great! I'm ridiculous. During our thirty minute lessons my eyes can't help but wander about her home. It's a nice home, with knick knacks all over the place. I shouldn't refer to them as knick knacks. Apparently that means "small worthless object," and these objects are obviously not worthless. They're carefully arranged, without a trace of dust, or clutter around. It's a dodad menagerie, a donagerie, and I have a hard time focusing. What do these mean? I feel like an uninvited archaeologist, trying to make sense of an american flag next to a chicken. What does it mean! Were her parents patriotic Midwest chicken farmers? Does she says phrases like, "well that's as American as a hen!"  (after careful observation, she hasn't used this phrase yet. She just keeps saying things like, "prodigy," and "you're Jimi Hendrix 2.0.").

Sheesh. I can't focus. I had this beautiful post all planned out about listening, and hearing what someone is saying versus what they really need. And, here I am, writing silliness. Wait, hold on a second. I listened to myself. I listened to myself! Isn't that what my original post was going to be about? Being true to yourself, and what you need. Sure. I think so. I needed to get out this goofy little piece. I listened to what I needed. Action versus talking about it. Mission accomplished!

Have a great weekend!

And, if you're looking for comedy Sacramento and Placer, may I suggest "Off (the Cuff) Broadyway"? I may, and I will. The premiere last week was a huge success. I'm assuming everyone in Rocklin was there (I can only guesstimate, it was a pretty dark theater). So, that means Roseville, Auburn, and Sacramento...if you're looking for some live entertainment....if you're looking for that amazing date night...if you're looking for a ladies night....and you want to stay local...well....stay local! Blacktop Comedy is right here, and we're producing some live theater that'll blow your mind. It's improv comedy the way it's meant to be.....good.

An Actor Prepares....for Depression

OK. I should probably add a lot of qualifiers here like: I'm Not a Doctor These Suggestions are Not A Replacement for Medications Consult a Doctor Again, I'm not a doctor

I just want to help. After years of improv teaching and coaching I've noticed a number of improvisers, comedians, and actors deal with depression. That's just my observation.

I've dealt with depression for a long time. It's this little quiet beast that sneaks up on you and drags you down. It used to strike a lot. In fact, it seemed to follow me around 24/7. Then, maybe a few weeks at a time. Then, a week. Now, it might take me down for a few days.

More then being a better improviser, I want you to be happy.

I've had lots of doctors, lots of meds, and lots of suggestions on treatments. Here are the things I've found helpful, that you could use today. I'd love your feedback. If you've dealt with depression and found solutions please let the readers know. Leave a comment. Thank you!

1. Listen to classical music.

Honestly, I forget why this works. I believe it has to do with the chords of classical music being more complex then today's pop hits, and gives the brain something to "work on." I've also heard music has been reported to raise the dopamine levels in the brain, and depression is associated with low levels on dopamine. Whatever the reason it's been an effective antidepressant for me. I try and listen for 30 minutes a day. Easy way to find classical music? Try Pandora or Spotyify. You can listen while at the office. Punch depression in the face! Thanks Mozart!

2. Hydrotherapy

You may not know this, but I'm not a doctor. This treatment might sound a little new age-y alternative medicine mumbo jumbo. I agree. When I heard about hydrotherapy I rolled my eyes (but made sure my therapist wasn't looking). Water? Helping depression? I had my doubts. But, I was desperate and gave it a shot. I'm glad I was desperate, because, I'll be damned, but It works. This mumbo jumbo is helpful. You can find a very lengthy article about hydrotherapy on Wikipedia. Or, just use this quick reference guide.

Step 1 Get into the shower. The water needs to be striking your forehead during hydrotherapy Step 2: Turn the water as hot as you can tolerate. Stand under the water for 5 minutes Step 3: Turn the water as cold as you can tolerate. Stand under the water for 1 minutes Step 4: Turn the water as hot as you can tolerate. Stand under the water for 3 minutes Step 5: Turn the water as cold as you can tolerate. Stand under the water for 1 minutes Step 6: Turn the water as hot as you can tolerate. Stand under the water for 3 minutes Step 7: Turn the water as cold as you can tolerate. Stand under the water for 1 minutes Step 8: Turn off the water.

Voila! Enjoy. Your brain isn't quite fried, but it's definitely not calm. It's in this beautiful in between space. Hard to describe, but wonderful spot to be in.

3. Sunlight You need 30 minutes of sunlight a day. And, make sure that sunlight hits your eyeballs before noon. If you have a hard time getting 30 minutes of natural sunlight, try the Philips GoLITE BLU Energy Light. It's a little pricey, but for me, it's worth the price of admission. 

I hope you find this helpful!