Interview with Special Guest Gwen Conklin

TRUE STORY is almost here! This Saturday we're bringing back to the stage one of our favorite shows! TRUE STORY asks local guest celebrities to share some stories. Their memories are inspired by the audience suggestions, and those memories are the inspiration for 60+ minutes of ridiculous improv that will make you smile.

 Someone else that'll make you smile is writer, director, actress...and this weeks TRUE STORY monologist....Gwen Conklin. Conklin, most recently known for her work with RELLIK, is a board member of CFAA, Capital Film Arts Alliance, and a positive force in the local Placer and Sacramento film community. She is currently producing the feature film Mamaboy. Always eager to talk and share, she will be a wonderful monologist to kick start our TRUE STORY run.

We had a chance to sit down with Gwen and ask her a few questions. Get to know Gwen Conklin....

who inspires you, who is your role model?

I am inspired by all creative people, whether musicians, filmmakers or other artists.  Just being around their energy ignites my creativity.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

That it's not a job.  It's my passion.  

Do you ever get starstruck?

Oh, heck yeah.   You try to 'act cool' on the outside, but inside your inner child is jumping up and down with excitement.  I am so blessed to continue to be invited onto projects that allow me to not only meet, but work with bigger and bigger stars. 

What role would you love to play/ be your dream role?

I don't have a specific role, but playing against type is always fun.   I try to be a very positive, sweet person...but we all have that 'other side' to us.  So playing an evil super villain would rock!  

What do you do when you’re not working?

I like to really unplug, so I can recharge my creative battery.  Maybe go see a matinee movie, enjoy nature, or go for a swim. 

What work are you most proud of?
I can't single out a specific project.  But I have been very pleasantly surprised to find that I am just as comfortable behind the camera, as in front of it.   And I am proud to say that I am always learning...and find that whatever I learn on one side of the camera, makes me better on the other side.

Why have you succeeded in a field where so many others have struggled?

My earliest opportunities came to me because people said they just loved my positive attitude and wanted that energy on their set.  (That got me a gig as a Film Production Manager, even before I had any real on set experience).  And I love that I still get that compliment, along with great gig offers...which is amazing.

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