Special Improv Workshop

Michael Lewis is smart. Lewis is also a veteran improviser who loves to teach. That's why we called him, and asked him to come teach a class. Are you looking to become a better improviser? Looking for a special improv workshop? Lewis is coming to Blacktop Comedy and he's offering a Improvising Shakespeare class next Saturday, Aug. 22nd. It's a three hour class you want to take!

You might not know you want to take the class, but you do! Michael Lewis has worked with some of the best improvisers in the country. In fact, he has worked with Blaine Swen of Improvised Shaekspeare Company.

Yes. That amazing Improvised Shakespeare Company. The Improvised Shakespeare Company that performs in iO in Chicago, and tours nationally performing at prestigious theaters like UC Davis Mondavi Center.

But, don't just take my word for it. Here is some more information about the class.

Improvised Shakespeare Workshop

Come and learn to improvise with the styles and themes of The Bard—from the simple eloquence of his language, to keeping thee, thine and thou straight. Shakespeare doesn't have to be scary and difficult. Discover how much fun this underutilized but fabulously entertaining form can be.  Improvising Shakespeare style works to get improvisers out of their heads by focusing on letting their emotions lead them.  The focus on flowery language helps to teach performers to let there words get ahead of their brains, and from their, they will discover they are capable of things they had no idea they could do.

Micahel Lewis 
An alumnus of iO West (formerly Improv Olympic West), Michael studied and performed there for five years. While at iO he performed with Harold teams G.U.S. and Pit Boss as well as The Award Winning Documentary. He was on two retired Champion teams of the iO West Cage Match, first with The Backstreet Bards and then with Blaine is Obviously Gay. Michael spent two years as an artistic advisor for Major League Improv, teaching several workshops for them. For two years he worked as an artistic consultant for iO Chicago's wildly successful Improvised Shakespeare Co. He ran Empire Comedy of Reno, creating the class curriculum and teaching Levels 1, 2, and 3. Last spring he began teaching improvisational theater at University of Nevada Reno through the theater department. He has performed with Police Cops! and Empire's house teams, Like a Banshee and Hostel Greetings.

Rocklin Comedian Jay Miller

Catch Jay this Saturday in Rocklin’s True Story! We had a chance to sit down, and ask him some questions. What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage? First, I sync up with my fellow players. After that, I make faces in the backstage mirror to loosen my face up so I can use a wider range of emotions onstage. What is the best improv advice you ever received? I've got two favorite pieces of advice. 1. Practice is the time for worrying about the technicalities. Once you're on stage in front of an audience, just have fun. 2. Give the audience what they want, but not what they expect. #rocklin #improvcomedy #btc #theater #actor #comedian

Where You Can Find Characters

Recently, I took a sketch workshop, and it was fun. It was also an eye opener. I need more characters. I realized I was trotting out familiar characters. Oh yeah, that kid character. I've done that before. And, oh yeah, that old man. Been there.
I need some something fresh and unique. I need some inspiration.
Off to Starbucks! Or Origin! Or insert-local-coffee-dealer-here.
The coffee places are great, but they tend to pull the same sort of clientele. It's a familiar and well tapped, um, well.
Where do you go to get new inspirational characters?
I found a place. A magical place where you find nothing BUT quirky, morose, happy, and always honest characters....podcasts.

There are so many podcasts out there. iTunes lists over 3 million. That's a lot of words and time. You're a busy person, and don't have time to listen to three million podcasts.
I have you covered! There's a podcast I listen to ALL the time. 99% Invincible. It's a great podcast produced in Oakland California. Roman Mars is a wonderful host. They produce a great deal of work, and also curate and find the best for listeners. Over the last year, I've listened to the majority of the episodes. Here are some of the ones I loved the most that are packed with character inspiration.

Episode 175: The Sunshine Hotel  
    The Sunshine Hotel comes to life over the course of thirty minutes. The time will fly by, and you'll have met over a dozen strange and beautiful people. The Bowery sounds like an interesting place before the transformation.

Episode 167: Voices in the Wire
        Tony Schwartz had a passion for recording. And, he recorded everything he could. It's an awesome time capsule. 

Episode 158: Sandhogs 
         The Sandhogs are tough, and the voices gruff, and honest. They are a family, and you'll want to learn about the family.

Episode 153: Game Over
         What happens when the dervers are shuttered? The end was documented, and the stories are interesting. I sat in my driveway for 10 minute listening to the whole piece. I couldn't turn it off.

Episode 66: Kowloon Walled City 
                       I had never heard of Kowloon Walled City. I couldn't imagine living here. The stories stick with you. You have to see the pictures online to understand the complexity of the site.