Improv Shakespeare Workshop Saturday

If you're thinking about taking the Improvised Shakespeare workshop: do it!

If you're still thinking about it, say hellow to Michael Lewis. He'll be teaching the class this Saturday at Blacktop Comedy Theater in Rocklin. I had a chance to ask him some questions.

What are some of your favorite improv teams?

Some of my favorite "dead" improv teams: Bitter Noah, Alexis Stiencamp, and Pete and Paul Explain it all. These were all teams from iO West in the early 2000's. Some of my favorite "living" improv teams: Beer, Shark, Mice, Improvised Shakespeare, and Hello Laser.

You're a great improviser. Was there a moment you realized, you wanted to be involved in comedy? What was that moment?
I don't remember the first moment but I feel in love with improv from about the first time I started improvising at 17 in Bakersfield. I continue to fall in love with improv the more I learn about what is possible as an improvisor, teacher, and artist. My god I'm a sappy romantic for improv. 

When and where did you begin improvising?
I started improvising in hight school with ComedySportz Bakersfield in 1995. 

Where have you studied?
I was introduced to improvisation through ComedySportz where I performed for about 7 years. I was introduced to long form and got what my serious improv training at iO West. I also take the opportunity to study at improv festivals, and at improv theaters whenever I get the chance to.

What do you love most about improv?
Improv is pure process, our work is never done. You get to hold on to nothing. Your best work and your worst work is completely ephemeral you have to step onto stage and begin anew every time.

Is there a favorite character you've created?

I don't think so but my favorite character fictional or actual person is Timothy "Speed" Leveitch. He is a real person who is endlessly fascinating, go watch The Cruise.

What do you hope students learn in your class?

I hope that all of my students will learn to get out of their own way and let their subconscious lead them. Don't trust your thinky brain it will almost always lead you astray. Be present and trust that how you feel is how you should be feeling.

What's the most valuable piece of advice you received from a teacher?

Trust how you feel and follow that.  Your feelings are never wrong. I can't quote anything accurately but that is what I took from Dave Razowsky.

Sound Effects for Improv Shows

When you're running an improv theater, you have a lot to think about. Marketing, community outreach, and coaching are just a few things you have on your plate. Have you thought about sound effects?

When you're performing, you're building a world for the audience. The stage performers are important, they're space object-ing and heightening the scene, and listening to offers....but so is the sound person who is in the tech booth. Well...could be. They have so much power to build a world, and help improvisers...but how often are we taking advantage of sound?

Here are five valuable sounds you should give to your sound tech. It can radically change and help a show. It can infuse scenes with energy and excitement. And, it reminds the stage performers, "the sound tech has our back!"

Please download the sounds, and let me know if they've been helpful for your productions. Also, these sounds are creative commons zero (cc0), so enjoy them for any production. Have fun!

(if you like these sounds, and would like more I am happy to make this a regular feature.. Just leave a comment and let me know.)

1. Door knock / Door open 

This is how the list begins! With a cheat. I'm lumping two sounds into number one. When there's a knock at the door or a door opens the world can change dramatically. If the scene isn't clicking, if some energy needs to be pumped into the scene, reach for a door knock, or crack open a door. It can be such a gift when someone enters the scene.

2. Gun shot

Need something to cap that scene? Want to inject some adrenaline in the show? Try a gun shot sound effect. (also very fun to play during a blackout."Who got shot!" "What happened?" The audience will be on the edge of their seat as the next scene begins. Just, make sure those players don't ignore the gunfire, or the audience will feel cheated).

3. Atmospheres [restaurant, forest, subway]

I'm cheating again. I'm lumping three sounds under atmosphere. Space work goes so far. Sometimes an audience likes to hear some noise at that coffee shop, car ride, and forest. Soundscapes can really help heighten tension too. Ironically, when people aren't talking, but the soundscape can be heard, tension, I've found, increases in an audience.

4. Phone

Much like a doorbell, a phone means something is about to enter the scene. Let's hope the players treat the call as something very important, a things-will-never-be-the-same-moment.

5. Bell

This is more a technical choice, then scenic. If your company plays improv games, and you relay on a physical bell, I strongly suggest getting a bell sound effect too. I can't count the number of times this sound effect has saved our ass when we've misplaced the physical bell.

We hope these sounds make your improv productions even better! If you would like to receive more sounds, just leave a comment and let me know or email me at paul@blacktopcomedy.com

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.