tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13736479.post3427799520815570223..comments2023-03-30T04:43:07.005-07:00Comments on The Big Bag of Oranges: Yes. And...?Mike Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15006675531496990200noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13736479.post-86089774161039842222011-04-01T19:26:16.239-07:002011-04-01T19:26:16.239-07:00Mike,
Thanks for the behind the scenes narration f...Mike,<br />Thanks for the behind the scenes narration for those of us who did not grow up in the theater arena. Eyeopening, insightful, entertaining.....yes and funny!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13736479.post-72623785063903571552011-04-01T10:26:49.449-07:002011-04-01T10:26:49.449-07:00Thanks, J'Mel. I also think saying things lik...Thanks, J'Mel. I also think saying things like "Audiences aren't ready" says far more about the individual than the audience. Audiences are far, far, more intelligent than some folks give them credit for, and the minute you start to treat them as morons, you might as well close up shop. Besides, it's more fun playing without a net. And I knew that same kid when I was 7, and we all thought he was a dick, too.Mike Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15006675531496990200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13736479.post-50733605505218367182011-04-01T09:21:27.067-07:002011-04-01T09:21:27.067-07:00Great post, Micheal. Mind if I share?
My story is ...Great post, Micheal. Mind if I share?<br />My story is completely different than yours, but we ended up in exactly same place. I think that is because, mainly, improv is something that comes from inside you. you're the type of person that retains, loves being on stage. it's all about playing and goofing off. as I have said one hundred times, It's all just advanced Cowboys and Indians. we all did it as kids, we all understood the rules, and we just turned it into an adult entertainment. But, remember that one kid that didn't get it? you'd "shoot" him and he'd immediately mention that he had a bullet proof jacket or a force field or something? we all hated that kid. even at age 7, we understood the idea of "Yes. And..." That kid didn't. Dick.<br />I fell into this world on a lark. My best friend had picked up a flyer for auditions for a new comedy group and he made me tag along. i had nothing prepared, of course, so when it was my turn... I improvised. I think I did my county-famous Tony Danza impression. I was in.<br />anyway, that was 12 years ago. I met my Jedi Master Sean and he taught me and my peers what this Improv thing was all about. without that guy, you probably wouldn't even know me-- or Davis, or Callie. Debbie...then later, Doug or Sokol.<br />Sean taught most of us the basic dogma of improvisation that we still use to this day.<br />Now, over that 12 years there has been one thing that has always bothered me. As you know, i have a pretty big imagination and I love being on stage. and the only thing better than being on stage is being with people that support you and that you can support. improv is all about trust, after all. But over the past 12 years there would always be someone that would suggest that "audiences aren't ready" when a new idea was suggested. I have come to despise this cowardly phrase over the years. our jobs as improvisers is to constantly try new things and to push the envelope. we are, by our very definition, expected to be fearless and without ego. the idea of possibly falling down on stage is a lot less scary to me than the idea of holding back for fer that the audience won't understand what we're doing because they are, i am to assume, not as elevated in the ways of comprehension as we are. this idea sickens me and has caused me to leave various groups over the years. there can be no fear in this thing of ours. it's our job to be new and different each and every single time in improv! There shouldn't be catchphrases or expectation. it should be a new and amazing and possibly dangerous experience. each and every time. Hell, if audiences weren't ready for this...we wouldn't exist.J'Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09145176034084658046noreply@blogger.com