A Walk in the Woods

Whenever you're passionate about something, people are curious. Open a theater committed to improv, and you get a lot of questions that can be boiled down to "why?"

Initially, I gave really long answers, trying to explain, and maybe pass on my passion for improv. Over the years I've become Cliff Notes, giving them a quick answer.

"I love it. It's a lot of fun."

It's a chain reaction. Question. Answer. Understanding head nod. Though, I don't think I'm doing them any favors with such a glib response.

Improv is more than fun, it's discovery.

Last week I had nothing to do. Sixty wonderful nowhere to be minutes. So, I went for a walk. I walked along a two lane road, listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Unmistakable Creative. I didn't have my headphones, and as the traffic increased it was difficult to hear the podcast. I quickened my pace a swerved right, heading down a side street. I'd never been here. I'd never seen these houses in Rocklin, or these quirky yards. Gnomes, flowers, Japanese maples, and busted sprinklers sending a jet of water into the air. Then, suddenly, the road just stopped. a dirt path continued through the bushes. I could hear a creek, and figured "what the hell," let's see where there goes.

It was such a incredible walk! I had concrete path for a portion, but that quickly gave way to a loose dirt path. I could go anywhere. I wasn't sure where I was, but figured I'd know soon. Eventually, I found myself on the backside of the disc golf course of Johnson-Springview Park.

Everyone's different, but I love discovering things I didn't know existed. I had no idea the park stretched that far back. I didn't know "this" was here! Just wandering, and observing, and going where I wanted to go was exciting.

That's Improv. Improv is wandering, observing, and picking a new path every second with your scene partner. You're with a friend onstage, doing stuff, seeing stuff, being characters you didn't know you had within you. When you're in that creative flow, I can't think of anything comparable. You're willing to float anywhere, confident that's where you should be. It's exploration.

That's why I opened an improv theater. It's finding a new spot in your creativity everytime onstage.

Gorilla Games

Last week, we began the second season of Gorilla Comedy. Gorilla Comedy is the Sacramento improv competition for high school students. Blacktop Comedy coaches each school, preparing the students for the games, running drills, and offering tips. The students have made incredible strides. They're better listeners, create stronger characters, and say "yes, and," because they're excited to see where the seen will go. We're really proud!

It has been such a huge success, and we're excited to see what's going to happen this year! We've even expanded with a new school. Encina High School joins Mesa Verde, Casa Roble, Mira Loma, Bella Vista, and Del Campo, in the Gorilla Games battle. Who will stand victorious? Who will win the improv competition?

Last week, Mesa Verde was victorious. The scores were very close, but with a couple stand out performances in World's Worst, and Human Props, Mesa Verde nabbed the bananas. Yes, the winning team gets a bunch of bananas. Bragging rights, and potassium. What a night!

This Tuesday the competition moves to Blacktop Comedy. The Blacktop stage will be filled with students playing improv games like Freeze, Dating Game, Movie Review, and many more. Please come support these young actors and comedians. They're creating great work. I know staying home and binging on Netflix is appealing, but live comedy is pretty great too. You can't interact with an episode of Narcos, but you can through out suggestions at a Gorilla Games show! Trust us, as soon as you walk through these doors you'll be glad you did.

And, hey, give a round of applause to San Juan Unified School District (SJUSD). They're doing something very unique. They recognize the power of improv for these teens. Improv is performing arts that functions like a team sport. Improv is all about supporting your fellow actor onstage, and backing up there ideas. That's a helpful skill in any situation, and these students are learning it now. As teens! Thanks for being so supportive of Gorilla Games SJUSD.

If you are interested in coming out to Gorilla Games this Tuesday, October, 20th, please note that the show begins at 6:30p and will run till 8p. The show is donation only, and the money raised goes back into the schools, helping purchase improv books for the students.

If you would like to learn more about Gorilla Games, SJUSD wrote a really nice piece about the performances last year.

Attacked by a Fly

The day started well enough. In fact, it was a beautiful day. It was Sunday, and I was at Cafe Bernardo, catching up with a friend from UC Davis. We were on the porch, because it was nice out. It was safe.

I thought it was safe. I thought it was nice out.

Suddenly, I felt something on my arm. It was a big something. Very noticeable. I looked over and saw what I thought were two flies getting it on. On my arm! I'm brunching...and these flies are sexing each other. 

Gross, but manageable. I did that get-out-of-here-fly arms shake. You know the one. You've probably done it a hundred times. Most times, the flies leave you alone. I was sure it would send them off, to go do their fly stuff elsewhere. Leave me alone guys, I'm trying to catch up with a friend.

But "they" didn't move. They just clinged to my arm.  They were happy where they were. I looked again, and realized it wasn't two flies.That's one pair of eyes. Where are the other pair of eyes? That's just one pair of eyes! That's just one fly! Is that fly grinding on my arm? Oh no! It is! That fly is grinding on my arm! I was being molested by a large fly. An enormous fly! We're talking, so-large-i-thought-two-flies-were-fly-sexing-on-my-arm gigantic! Gross. Time to take extreme action.

I did what any human being would do. I spasmed. It was intense Exorcism intense. Others must have thought I was enjoying a Sunday brunch is Rocklin, and exercising demons. I must have looked ridiculous. I'm confident I looked ridiculous. But, I'm happy to report that fat fly left. The spasm and the aftershocks were to much! He took off! I think he took off at least. I don't think he MillenniumFalcon'ed me. I was sorry for whoever had to deal with that flying fatso.

Phew. Crisis adverted. My arm was safe, I was whole again, and not being groped by a sensual fly. I looked around. I had my dignity back. Time to deal with the important things like this omelette. Then, I noticed Sarah was losing it. She was double over and laughing.

I felt warm.

I realized I was holding coffee. Well, I had been holding coffee.  I was holding an empty cup now. My flailing had set me free...and sent the coffee flying. That hefty fly was gone, but now I was covered in coffee.

What a beautiful day.