Callson Manor Haunted House

There's lots of great things about October. Halloween, Teen Slasher, and..... Callson Manor at the Placer County Fairgrounds.

Callson Manor in Roseville, has become a institution...and bloody and creepy institution. A whole city is constructed on the Placer County Fairgrounds. The city is a collection of stages, and seven "burned out"  buildings, each housing different attractions. It's a great layout, because you can wander throughout the 2 acres, and choose which attraction to walk into. You move at your own pace. Think Disneyland. A Disneyland filled with jump scares, zombies, screams and lots of blood. 

Disturbing characters fill the streets too. Don't worry, you'll never be touched, but the creatures will get up in your face. Poor Felicia. Last year we went, and this quick zombie (think 24 Days Later), followed her incessantly. I eventually had to ask the guy to stop, because she hated it! I don't blame her. The costumes, and makeup were well designed by award winning make-up artist Nicole Chilelli, winner of season 3 Faceoff on SyFy. She currently works with SMOSH. They bring in the best artists for the show.

If you go, I recommend grabbing the Living Social or Groupon, and go with friends (they're not currently running the promotion, but they will. I'm guessing mid September?). The whole Blacktop team went last year, and that's the best way to do it. I don't think it would be nearly as fun alone. It's much more fun to roam the buildings with friends, getting scared, or watching other jump.

Also, be sure and check out the stage shows. They run every 30 minutes, and have some great surprises. The fire show is a impressive.

Finally, just know it's outside and has a dirt floor, so dress accordingly. 

Here's the address to the Placer County Fairgrounds and Callson Manor:

800 All America City Boulevard, 
Roseville, CA 95678 

Oh, and completely unrelated to Roseville or Sacramento haunted houses.... if you're reading this and you live in Salt Lake City Utah, you HAVE to go to Nightmare on 13th. I went about 6 years ago, and I still remember it. It's that good That haunted house was extraordinary. At one point you have to get into a coffin. Spoiler alter, the bottom drops out and you slide to safety, but for a second, as you're quietly lying in a coffin, you start wondering if you made the right life choices.

Best Ice Breaker Improv Game for Groups

So many improv games. You have guessing improv games, character improv games, verbal wit improv games, step-out games, and many more.
Yep. There's a lot..

BUT!

There's one ice breaker, one warmup games, one get-comfortable-with-each-other activity that's universally loved. We've found it's the one game to rule them all. If you need to get attention quickly in a class, party, or improv workshop, this is what you should do.

SUPERHEROES.* (you might know it as Super Freeze, Catch Phrase, or 'that one game that's fun.')

Give the group an opportunity to become superheroes.
It's a gift....and everyone loves a gift. Everyone settles down and pays attention when they sense a gift is headed their way.

I first came across this game during an improv intensive at BATS in San Francisco (I highly recommend!).

"How do we play this magnificent game that unites people? How do I bring people together this Saturday night at my shindig?" you're wondering.

You begin by having all participants circle up (all improv exercises seem to be done in a 'circle' or 'two lines facing each other.' It's an unwritten law.)

One person begins by sharing their superhero name, and pose. The easiest way to create a super hero name is using alliteration. For instance, I'd be Punching Paul, or Pacifist Paul, or Pleading Paul....you get the idea. And, don't forget the pose. Every superhero has their pose. (check out the picture above for inspiration).

Continue around the circle. Everyone creates their super hero name and pose. When a new superhero and pose is created, everyone in the circle should repeat the name and pose in unison (memory will play a big part of the game).

Huzzah! Mission accomplished! Everyone has their name and pose. Now, let's play.

Person A repeats their superhero name and pose, and then 'passes' the energy to anyone in the circle (we'll call this Person B) by saying Person B's superhero name and pose. Person B begins by saying their name and pose, and then passes the energy to anyone in the circle (we'll call this Person C) by saying Person C's superhero name and pose.

Etc...etc...etc..

You did it! A successful round of Superheroes has been played! People love the game.

Wait! That's not all! The game comes with variations.

Let's try some variations.

• Remove the words, and just use poses

• Remove the superhero name, and replace with a catchphrase (for instance, Pleading Paul's catchphrase might be "Can't We All Get Along?")

• You must always change your catch phrase each time the energy returns to you.

Why is this game successful? I think we all secretly wish we had a secret identity. It's fun to pretend, and be told "it's OK to pretend." Adults, teens, and kids, all love this game. I hope it's a big success for you during your next improv training or workshop.

*You might know this game by another name. You'll find improv names, and even game steps are regional, and vary from spot to spot.. The same improv exercise in San Francisco might go by a different name in Roseville and Sacramento improv games. One day I'll map game name movements. It'll look like some improv game migration pattern.

Five Easy Steps to Feel Happy

Good morning! How's your Thursday?
Boring?
Mundane?

Let's jazz it up. We can always make a moment more enjoyable. How can you be happy?

Try this. They might sound ridiculous, and you might think, "I can't do this at work!" They'll look at me strange but I feel better every time I do them.

1. Take notes on a napkin.
Note taking doesn't have to be boring. In fact, when you write notes on a napkin you'll feel like a genius who doesn't have time to reach for paper. It will make you feel better. And, you might discover you're even more creative then normal. Unique situations = unique thoughts. Fun side effect when you're trying something new.

2. Deposit money from a brief case.
Sure, it's a little unorthodox, but that's the point. Everyone will look at you, and start creating stories in their head. Was there a drop? Was this hush money? What does this guy know?

3. Exclaim, "I'm In!"
Door are everywhere. There's nothing particularly special about an entrance....except how you look at it. Take a cue from action movies, and when you walk through a door, mutter to yourself, "I'm in!" You'll feel like you're in Mission Impossible or James Bond. Have you seen the trailer for the new James Bond: Spectre? It looks amazing! You can feel like Bond...just by entering a room!

4. Fingertips together
Life can beat us down. Did the boss just drop a huge project in your lap? You felt like you were on top of the world, and now you feel overwhelmed. Get back some control! It's good to feel high status and in charge. You can feel powerful with a few simple movements. Put your fingertips together, and rest your pointer fingers on the tip of your nose.* Now, squint like you're deep in thought and say, "I thought so." I thought so gives you all the power. You're not surprised...you knew this was coming! And, someone who foresaw all this will probably know how to solve the problem too. Here is a sample of what I'm talking about.

*Variation: rest your chin on top of your pointer finger for a more thoughtful power pose.

5. Do some Improv
Improv is all about living in the moment, and helping the actor onstage with you. Turns out, that selflessness helps you too. You're focused on someone else, and your problems melt away for awhile. You should come to a playground!

Did you try some of these? Did you find it helpful?