I'm a mom, nurse, technically "middle aged" woman and Michael Gellman is teaching me Improvisational Comedy at Second City, Chicago. Pinch me. Make it hurt.
As I told Godman at last week's class, Improv has been "the most fun I've had in my adult life." His quick response: 'The most fun in your adult life? ... Are you dating??' I replied, "No, I'm married."
These classes are a gift, really. I started "Improv for Beginners" at Second City last year. For fun. Because my life was in crisis and something made me Google "Second City + classes." Boxed wine made me sign up. The fun I had with Improv made me sign up for Standup. Standup pushed me past fear, through terror and into strength. Possibly delusion. Hot holy Hell, y'all -- Whippy did five minutes in front of 70+ people. And got laughs. Suck it, shyness.
Michael Gellman reminds me of my Dad, but with extra cussing. Humorous bordering on brilliantly hilarious, intuitive bordering on uncanny, foul-mouthed bordering on Carlin. Is this Heaven?
Wait. What? I signed up for what?? I'm not a theater major, as most of my classmates are. Hell, I have two degrees (Journalism and Nursing) and barely use either. I'm a mostly stay-at-home Mom who subs as a School Nurse when I feel like it. I'm shy by nature, have no idea what 'real acting' is, and never set foot on a stage before this (except as a Dogpatcher in a riveting Middle School production of "Li'l Abner"). I don't know how far I can go with this, but that's not the point.
What I know that Improv has changed my life. It pushed me out of my comfort zone. It taught me to be in the moment. It made me trust my sense of humor (yes, I do have one and yes, it's awesome).
I've made many great acquaintances and one cherished friend. I've laughed harder and more often than I have in many, many years.
Why is that? In Improv, there is no judgement, no saying "No." The mantra is "Say 'Yes' and the fun will follow." Yes to everything. Accept, agree, trust, release, surrender. On stage, it works. It works better than saying no, or contradicting, or negating. It moves the scene forward. It creates a positive vibe felt not only by the players but also the audience. Negativity and criticism kills. It's "death by a thousand cuts," in my experienced opinion. In Improv and Life.
It's about relinquishing the need to control, to micromanage, to keep the focus on yourself. Fuck that shit. Focus on your partner. Focus on what's happening RIGHT NOW. What is your partner SAYING? What are they DOING? What is your RELATIONSHIP?
Yes, it's Improvisational Theater. It's also Life. Stop the Movie In Your Head. Look at who you're communicating with. Listen to them. Watch their body language. Appreciate how they are different from you. Appreciate them.
Appreciate who you are. Be aware of how you move through space. Listen to your voice as you speak. Look at yourself in the mirror. Be aware of what you're feeling at this moment.
Now live.
17.2.10
When God Closes a Door...He's being a real jerk.
Ok, so in the movie in her head, Whippy fancies herself a Funny Person. Yes, it's an epic film with lots of plots; subplots; an awesome protagonist; one or two antagonists; a tragic flaw or two or seven; even a Christ Figure. Who drinks boxed wine and moonwalks on water.
I've been taking comedy improvisation classes for over a year and having the most fun I've had in my adult life. Some of my buddies and I auditioned for something awesome and none of us got it. We were told, 'Hey, even Tina Fey didn't make it her first time around.' 'Hey, most people don't.' 'Hey, take another class and try again in eight weeks.' 'Hey, yadda yadda.' It was absolutely a positive albeit slightly humbling experience. Not to mention an amazing teaching opportunity for Whippy's little Whiplets.
Buddy Boy and GirlyGirl watched Mom's facial expression and sensed every emotion as I read the "We're Sorry But..." EMail. I'm a horrible liar and even worse at faking emotion. It's served me well. Except for that time my brother and I stole loose change out of our Mom's purse to buy candy at 7-11. Ok, it stopped me from pursuing a violent life of crime to feed my Wacky Pack and Slim Jim habit; I should be grateful. Thank you, Jesus (great Michael Jackson impersonation, btw. Can I fix you a Bloody Mary?). OH!! brb, I gotta dodge lightning bolts...
Woah. Where was I? Right. Teaching moment. So, I explained to the Whipplets, "Hey, ya know what? I'm happy. Because I tried something I was afraid to do, I learned a ton and I had a blast! And ya know what else? I'm going to try again!"
Later that night, GirlyGirl gave me this:
Ok, so I had to pry the window open and remove the frame to get my rumpus through, but at least I was able to spot the opening. With a little nudge from GirlyGirl. Thanks, God (hey, your son's an awesome bartender, btw. Can you ask him to lay his hands on the office water cooler?)
*runs serpentine to avoid lightning storm*
I've been taking comedy improvisation classes for over a year and having the most fun I've had in my adult life. Some of my buddies and I auditioned for something awesome and none of us got it. We were told, 'Hey, even Tina Fey didn't make it her first time around.' 'Hey, most people don't.' 'Hey, take another class and try again in eight weeks.' 'Hey, yadda yadda.' It was absolutely a positive albeit slightly humbling experience. Not to mention an amazing teaching opportunity for Whippy's little Whiplets.
Buddy Boy and GirlyGirl watched Mom's facial expression and sensed every emotion as I read the "We're Sorry But..." EMail. I'm a horrible liar and even worse at faking emotion. It's served me well. Except for that time my brother and I stole loose change out of our Mom's purse to buy candy at 7-11. Ok, it stopped me from pursuing a violent life of crime to feed my Wacky Pack and Slim Jim habit; I should be grateful. Thank you, Jesus (great Michael Jackson impersonation, btw. Can I fix you a Bloody Mary?). OH!! brb, I gotta dodge lightning bolts...
Woah. Where was I? Right. Teaching moment. So, I explained to the Whipplets, "Hey, ya know what? I'm happy. Because I tried something I was afraid to do, I learned a ton and I had a blast! And ya know what else? I'm going to try again!"
Later that night, GirlyGirl gave me this:
Ok, so I had to pry the window open and remove the frame to get my rumpus through, but at least I was able to spot the opening. With a little nudge from GirlyGirl. Thanks, God (hey, your son's an awesome bartender, btw. Can you ask him to lay his hands on the office water cooler?)
*runs serpentine to avoid lightning storm*
13.2.10
I'm Thinking Clogs...
Whippy's been going through a bit of a rough patch, lately. And by "rough patch," I mean "excuse me while I lobotomize myself with a Crazy Straw." You're welcome for sparing you the details; suffice it to say, life has been more fun than a barrel full of dead babies. And by "more," I mean "hella less." Let's just say life is full of crazy f*ckers who sometimes ooze into your life and won't leave until they think they've made you as miserable as they are. Just...WOW.
I'm a pick-myself-up-by-the-bootstraps kinda gal; I hate whining and inaction. In fact, I can usually think, plan and work myself out of most mucky situations.
One of my boots may have fallen off in the muck. They were old boots, just about worn through. I wore 'em every day, even though they always hurt and made me walk kinda funny. I'm tempted to just slip my foot out of the other boot. Pretty sure it'd be easier to get out of the muck with 'em both off. And really, what's the point of holding on to one boot?
I'm a pick-myself-up-by-the-bootstraps kinda gal; I hate whining and inaction. In fact, I can usually think, plan and work myself out of most mucky situations.
One of my boots may have fallen off in the muck. They were old boots, just about worn through. I wore 'em every day, even though they always hurt and made me walk kinda funny. I'm tempted to just slip my foot out of the other boot. Pretty sure it'd be easier to get out of the muck with 'em both off. And really, what's the point of holding on to one boot?
6.2.10
When Chakka Comes Marching Home
GirlyGirl is 10 and loves to sing. She sings all day long. She delights in turning our morning getting-ready-for-school routine into a musical. "Motherrrr...can I have some breakfast please...Oh, nooooooo!! This milk is sour-what-will-I-dooooo..." She's a wonderkind.
Her chorus teacher exposes them to all kinds of stuff, which GG then exposes us to. For days. Lots. of. days. Do you know the complete lyrics to Benny Goodman's "Sing! Sing! Sing!"? I do. Oh, I DO.
When I'm feeling down and blue, I flash to the visual of GG standing on the arm of our good leather sofa, shimmying like a fiend, belting, "Sing, sing, sing, sing...everybody start to sing...Hi-dee-hi, ho-dee-ho, now you're singin' to and fro..." *shimmy-shimmy-shimmy*
This week's musical theme? Civil War songs. Not quite the feel-good raucousness of Big Band, but still. But still -- PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY SHOOT ME IN THE PART OF MY BRAIN THAT WILL MAKE ME FORGET THIS:
GG: When Chaka comes marching home again, hurrah HURRAH! hurrah HURRAH!
When Chaka comes marching home again, hurrah! HURRAH! hurrah! HURRAH!!
The men will cheer and the boys will shout
The ladies they will all turn out
And we'll all kill dinosaurs
When Chaka comes marching home... hahahaha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9G-BjHRa0k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx_E7dIxywY&feature=PlayList&p=1BFF38735F4535BD&index=8
Her chorus teacher exposes them to all kinds of stuff, which GG then exposes us to. For days. Lots. of. days. Do you know the complete lyrics to Benny Goodman's "Sing! Sing! Sing!"? I do. Oh, I DO.
When I'm feeling down and blue, I flash to the visual of GG standing on the arm of our good leather sofa, shimmying like a fiend, belting, "Sing, sing, sing, sing...everybody start to sing...Hi-dee-hi, ho-dee-ho, now you're singin' to and fro..." *shimmy-shimmy-shimmy*
This week's musical theme? Civil War songs. Not quite the feel-good raucousness of Big Band, but still. But still -- PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY SHOOT ME IN THE PART OF MY BRAIN THAT WILL MAKE ME FORGET THIS:
GG: When Chaka comes marching home again, hurrah HURRAH! hurrah HURRAH!
When Chaka comes marching home again, hurrah! HURRAH! hurrah! HURRAH!!
The men will cheer and the boys will shout
The ladies they will all turn out
And we'll all kill dinosaurs
When Chaka comes marching home... hahahaha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9G-BjHRa0k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx_E7dIxywY&feature=PlayList&p=1BFF38735F4535BD&index=8
3.2.10
Li'l Ro Ro and Joliet
So, this morning I'm helping BuddyBoy study for his "Illinois Constitution" test. Not only does he insist on pronouncing Illinois with a hard "s" at the end, but he keeps saying "Juliet," instead of Joliet. Uh-oh. That's like tossing a ball in front of my dog. Or distracting a raccoon with a shiny object.
ME: Joliet is Juliet's street name. hahaha
BRAD: What?
ME: Li'l Ro Ro and Joliet! hahaha
BRAD: What??
ME: Yeah, instead of "Wherefore art thou, Romeo?" it's "RoRo! WHERE YOU AT??" hahaha
BRAD: Mom.
ME: And instead of the Montagues and the Capulets, it's the Montys and the Fat Caps! Instead of drawing swords, they have a dance-off! hahaha
BRAD: *rolls eyes*
ME: And "Were that I a glove upon that hand that I might touch that cheek" is "Don't MAKE me smack you with my glove..." hahaha
BRAD: Can I have breakfast now?
ME: Joliet is Juliet's street name. hahaha
BRAD: What?
ME: Li'l Ro Ro and Joliet! hahaha
BRAD: What??
ME: Yeah, instead of "Wherefore art thou, Romeo?" it's "RoRo! WHERE YOU AT??" hahaha
BRAD: Mom.
ME: And instead of the Montagues and the Capulets, it's the Montys and the Fat Caps! Instead of drawing swords, they have a dance-off! hahaha
BRAD: *rolls eyes*
ME: And "Were that I a glove upon that hand that I might touch that cheek" is "Don't MAKE me smack you with my glove..." hahaha
BRAD: Can I have breakfast now?
3.7.09
I want me a toddler.
Whippy is on a little Summer Hiatus. I'll be posting, but not as often.
I have a deep, thought-provoking essay in the works...stay tuned!!
In the mean time, please to enjoy this:
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24.6.09
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