David Blue Garrison Interview

This week, TRUE STORY is lucky to have David Blue Garrison as our monologist. David is a writer, producer, director, and actor. As Founding Director for The Alternative Arts Collective (TAAC), and creator of Midtown Blue, he's a busy guy. Very busy.

He's currently directing Steel Magnolias, which premieres September 4th, at Blacktop Comedy! September 4th happens to be TAAC's five year anniversary too! Over the past 5 years TAAC has staged Hamlet, MacBeth, Bug, Quills, Angels in America, and the acclaimed Midsummer Nightmare series, and so many more. I first became aware of TAAC when I saw their production of Equus in Roseville.

He's a thoughtful artist, who creates exquisite productions. He sat down to answer a few questions. Enjoy, and come meet David in person this Saturday at TRUE STORY, 8:30pm, at Blacktop Comedy in Rocklin

*Who Inspires You? Who is Your Role Model?

Annie Leibovitz is a role model for me. Annie is one of those visual artists that has found her tone and voice in photography to a point where she seems effortless on set. I know in reality she's working incredibly hard and using all that she has learned to execute her projects, but she's defined her style and I love that about her. 

David Bowie is another person that I really look up to. He's fearless in his execution of 'art' and doesn't seem to do it for the reviews, the fame or recognition. I aim to be the kind of artist that doesn't please all audiences, because If I did, it would mean I'm softening or curbing my style to please a general crowd and I wouldn't want to sacrifice creativity for ticket sales. So, he inspires me in that way. 

Oh and Stoic from the How To Train Your Dragon books/movies. My wallpaper on my phone says, "Be Stoic." 

* What do you enjoy most about your job? 

Which job? Ha! The thing I love the most about The Alternative Arts Collective is giving artists of varying styles and mediums an environment to create in. When actors or costumers are pumped about something they are doing with TAAC, it's gratifying. It's a real feeling of success and fulfillment to know that we can supply that space for people. 

The other thing I love about my 'job' is the reward of pleasing, inspiring, entertaining an audience with the honesty in our stories. Which is backed up by our expertise in lighting, sound, set design. It's a wonderful thing that people still talk about shows we did almost 5 years ago. 

* Do you ever get starstruck? 

Only when I see Paul or Betsaida at BlackTop Comedy.  Also... no. I mean, I'm a star myself... ;-)

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

I've been lucky. I think I've played all my dream roles. Some even twice. The Emcee in Cabaret, Prior in Angels In America, Fagin in Oliver. I'm more excited by original works now. Playing new characters and really discovering who they are for the first time is really cool. However, I REALLY REALLY want to play Hamlet. It's kind of a secret dream role of mine... which I just revealed... 

* What do you do when you’re not working? 

Sleeping. Thanks to TAAC's Executive Director, my schedule is pretty jam packed. She knows exactly what I'm doing and where I need to be for the next 6 months. And we're fortunate that we are so busy... but there really is little time for anything else. It's a good thing I love what we do! But yeah... sleeping. Big fan. 

* What work are you most proud of? 

There are some photographs I've done that I really love. 90% of it is how beautiful the subject is. I have some of those pieces hanging in my office. A couple of things I've directed that I'm totally proud of would be Lear, Hamlet, Macbeth, Our Town & The Visit. Those specifically in my mind really stand out for me as big accomplishments. And roles I've done that I feel very proud of would be Prior in Angels In America (both times), Noah in In Switch & Bud Frump in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. 

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

It's all about perseverance and hard work. I see people all the time saying, "I'm going to LA" or "I'm gonna open up a company" and very little do I see any of the necessary groundwork being laid before taking that plunge. People are so desperate for the title not the achievement. Many times those people don't last very long in either field; acting or producing. The other thing I see quite often is that when things get tough, people just give up. TAAC has been through 3 moves, a fire, losing staff, etc. And each time we asked ourselves if we were having fun, if what we were doing was important and desired by our community. So far the answer has been yes. So we knuckle down and get to work! Misplaced passion also gets in the way of what people actually want to do. You want to open a company? No you don't, you just want to act in shows you like. You want to go to LA and be in films? No... you just want to get laid. So I guess that's three answers. Not enough hard work, not sticking to it when things get tough and misplaced passion. 

Play This Game Right Now!

OK. Stop what you're doing right now.

Shoot. Wait. Don't do that. Damn. Maybe you already stopped reading. I lost you! You're just staring at the computer and not doing anything. I need to get your attention somehow.

Are you back? Great. Pictures of Channing Tatum tend to get people's attention. Finish this blog post and THEN stop what you're doing and download this game: PIVVOT.

I tried it yesterday....and...well. I'm addicted. It's a beautifully simple game and mission: navigate this little node through a course.
Don't die.
Goodluck.

 

It's literally a line, simple shapes, and pulsing beat, a frequent restarts. And, I can't put it down. I admire games that offer a simple premise with beautiful execution.

I found this game when I was waiting for an improv class to begin at the Rocklin theater.

It reminds me of improv. Keep it simple. Don't complicate a scene. Have a goal, stay true to your goal, work towards that goal, and the scene will be interesting and funny. Mission accomplished PIVVOT. You are both interesting and funny...... and infuriating (in a good way).

Some games last 3 seconds, while others last 30 seconds. When you last 30 seconds you'll feel like an unstoppable gaming god. You're body is flooded with endorphin's! Sweet sweet stimulants!
"Look at me world! I just lasted 30 seconds in PIVVOT."
And, then, you'll die. Your little node will shatter into a dozen
"Noooooooooooooo," you'll scream and you hit restart.
You won't even think about hitting restart. It becomes instinctual, like hunting and gathering....and now PIVVOTING.

The game is on sale right now, for 99 cents, even though I'd gladly pay the 1.99 it normally costs (yep, ladies. I drop 1.99 like it's nothing!)

How bad did the first game go? Well, I completed the game, but it took me 137 lives. I know. That's not great.
The second time I did better. I completed the map in 34 lives.
I keep playing tying to best that score.
The game also comes with challenges like Endless, Berserk, and Looper.
Go scrounge in the car for some change, and then put that change down. You can't play game with change anymore (sign). Go get a credit card. I know the game is available in on Google Play.

Have fun! Eat before playing cause you'll be consumed for awhile.

How to Relax Onstage

Yesterday i was working with the teen improv class. One of our best students, asked me, what do you do to relax onstage. He's been nervous during the teen improv performances recently, and he hasn't been able to settle into the scene. you can see the doubt in his eyes onstage. "This isn't going well!" "What do i say to make this scene better?" "I'm failing!"

As a coach it's always hard watching a student crash onstage. you want to help, but theres nothing you can do from the audience.

"So," he asked, "how do i calm down onstage?" He looked at me like i had all the answers. Here's what happened in my brain:

1st second: Give him the advice, "it gets better," "try and forget about the audience," "you can't fail"
2nd second: That's not actionable advice! That's bumper sticker mumbo jumbo. It's a nice idea, 'we can't fail,' but it's not always the most helpful and implementable.
3rd second: Be honest with him
4th second: Even though the solution sounds silly?
5th second:Yes!
6th second: I agree!
7th second: Who are you?
8th second: Your unconscious
9th second: Get out of here! I was talking with myself
10th second: Fine. I'll leave. (but i won't really leave. I'll just hide in the shadows)
11th second: I heard you.
12th second: Damn!

So, I opened up, and shared. I just smile. When i am onstage, no matter if it's Rocklin, Sacramento or San Francisco, when I'm onstage, I always look at my scene partner and smile. That's how i check in with my scene partner before the lights go up and we're live. That's it. It helps me relax, and check in, and remind my partner that no matter where we are, no matter who is in the audience, we're here for each other. If we help each other, the show will succeed.

And, you know what? I had a terrible show Saturday night. I didn't play well, and that really depressed me. I thought back on the show, the scene starts, the characters, heightening, everything. The one consistent? I can' remember checking in with my scene partner in the dark. We just launched into the scene, before we connected. Improv is all about connection. Eyes, Smiles. Words. We gotta connect. I didn't, and i have a strong suspicion that's one of the reasons i didn't do well.

Science! Psychological tricks! When you smile, or act happy, your brain starts to feel happy. A little fake it till you make it never hurt anyone. It only helps before a show.

Essentially, a smile says, 'we can't fail,' and it's something we can do every time before the curtains goes up.

If you have a hard time smiling, here's some self-help. Maybe you don't know what a smile feels like. Well, i'm here to help! I'm going to show you a picture you can't help but smile at. When you see it, pay attention to how your face feels...that's a smile! Use them often!

Did it work? did you smile? Do you know now what it feels like to smile?

No?! My god. this is serious. We'll have to try something even more smile inducing. I didn't want it to come to this, but, i have no choice. desperate time call for desperate measures: