Improv Advice: Avoid the Complex

Is reading a chore? Pick up Beautiful Ruins! I was going to say "I'm working through it," but that's not an accurate statement. It's not work. It's a joy to read. I look forward to every 30 minutes I get with the book, and feel reinvigorated when I put it down. I already dread finishing it, because these aren't characters I want to leave.

I've been wondering, "why do I love it so much?" What is it about these characters in Los Angelas, and Italy that reach out and connect with me, an improviser in Rocklin. I can't connect with fishing villages, and pitching a script to an aging producer.

I do, however, instantly relate to the emotions, the fears, the longings. These are three dimensional characters, and not caricatures.

One moment grabbed me. It said, "see! Improv is this thing! Well, it could be this thing if you slow down onstage." It's a lived out Hemingway "iceberg theory" moment, but the author Jess Walter was nice enough to walk us through it. We didn't have to imagine everything that was being felt and thought. Jess shared Claire's mental dive, the things that happen in a blink of an eye, but become buried under the brief response.

      "So what did you see in this guy?" Shane asks. "Originally?"
       Claire glances up. What did she see? It's to corny to say-but all she saw was all the cliched shit: Stars. Flashes of lights. Babies. A future...she felt like she'd never been fully alive before the moment Daryl first touched her...when in the middle of it she looked up and saw herself...every bit of herself...in his eyes.
       Claire shakes the memory off. How could she possibly say any of that here? And, so she simply says, "Abs. I saw abs."

That's a snippet of her whole "cliched shit." And, she dismisses it all, so something trite. (the whole section is on page 194 of Beautiful Ruins, paperback)

Ahhhhhh. How many times do we do that onstage? Think of something honest, and ditch it because it's a "cliche" or "not good enough." I know I've been guilty of that.

"How could she say that here?" We should be saying that here, onstage. Those are the moments that set improv apart from other stage plays. Each person brings their unique memories to a scene, and those memories can make for some complex moments.

Blacktop Comedy Troy Wallis

When you see posters at the theater, or something funny onstage Troy is likely involved. Troy has been with Blacktop over 3 years, and makes every show better. He also make Blacktop a more beautiful place with his graphic design skills. Troy opened up, and here's what he shared: How Long Have You Been Improvising? I have been doing Improv for a little over 3 years. I started at Blacktop Comedy doing the weekly Playground. Shortly after taking their Level 1 and 2 classes a couple times, I auditioned for the short form team. What's your favorite show at Blacktop? There are so many different shows at Blacktop it is hard to choose. The Shorties is a crowd favorite. I enjoy the Harold team Houdini. What sort of person is going to love this show? Blacktop has something for everyone. We do a kid friendly Family Show. Belly Laughs with real belly dancers. Short form & long form improv. So, if you want to be entertained, this is the place. What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage? Depends on who's standing next to me in the dark green room. What makes a good scene partner? A good scene partner is someone who listens and supports. Has a "Yes, and..." attitude. What is the best improv advice you ever received? Don't try to be funny. It's the quickest way to disconnect you from your partners and the audience. Do you have any pets? I love dogs and have always had one. I have a large Boarder Collie named Duke. Lucky he is cute, because he isn't real smart. Have you ever given someone a handmade present? What was it? I give handmade presents all the time. I am a Graphic Designer and run a high end digital printing studio. It's good to be able to create your gifts and customize peoples houses and cars or whatever. What is your favorite book? Why? The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Helps calm an overactive mind. Something I have dealt with my whole life. Also teaches you to live in the "Now" which is the only way to do Improv. #btc #improvcomedy #rocklin #roseville #fun #saturdaynight #Loomis #datenight #actorslife #funny #lol #truestory #interview

Teen Slasher October

**I've taken three stabs at writing this blog post. And, each time my mind focuses on something completely different. It's like a mashup of three thoughts. I've been trying to tease them a part, and maybe develop them individually, but then realized they all kind of need each other to work as one post. So, I'm leaving them together. This blog post is a big stew of thoughts, and I hope it helps you in some way. If you like the announcement of Teen Slasher, our Fall comedy, great! If you connect with my thoughts on format versus team, fantastic! If you like my ideas on team bonding, huzzah!**

This week was a big deal. We kicked off the 4th season of Teen Slasher with our first rehearsal. The team got to meet each other, review the new ideas for the show, and suggest changes.

The team is the most important thing. A format is fun, but a committed team that loves each other is paramount. I think a show is as good as unity of the team. The improv format, harold, narrative, short form, is icing on the comedy cupcake. None of it works though, if everyone doesn't have each others back.

I'm holding my breath at the first rehearsal. I'm always nervous. We cast the show, but will it work? Will this configuartion of players work?

Of course, I don't know why I worry. The teams are always brilliant, the players talented, and the vibe is one word: "family." This years cast is Betsaida Lebron, Cristian Amaral, Jordan Mata, Ben Woehler, Chris Kimbrough, and Aeriel. I (Paul Burke) am directing. Everyone was giddy, and excited to launch Teen Slasher. We used the first rehearsal to sit in the writers room, and talk. Just talk. I think it's one of the most important rehearsals any improv team can have. Share ideas, hopes, and directions for the show. Get on the same page. That's important. Make sure everyone buys into the vision on the first night of rehearsal.

Like I mentioned, this is the 4th year of Teen Slasher, and like all sequels, we want to avoid feeling stale. Hell, look at Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace. The fourth film in the Star Wars franchise wasn't..... um..... well received.

Teen Slasher is one of our favorite shows, and we want it to feel fresh and new. Thankfully, the Placer and Sacramento audiences love the live show too. It's the perfect comedy how Halloween, because it's a ridiculous send up of Horror films, complete with buckets of blood. We're adding some surprises to this years Teen Slasher. It'll be even more audience interactive. We can do more with sound and lights then ever before. Will it be an improvised musical? No, but music will play a big part.

It's the perfect comedy, and we have one of our best casts yet. The cast is everything. When players love each other, they'll take huge risks onstage, because they know they have support. It's a safe space.

Sometimes I wish we we always had an audience. There are so many brilliant moments at rehearsals, I'm frequently thinking, I wish I was recording that!

This week was like that.