I have had an extraordinary few weeks and time is just roaring by. I am behind in documenting some really great events in which I’ve been involved. Of course, I got derailed by the  death of my friend last week, over which I am still profoundly sad, and not even close to processing or blogging more about. It’ll be interesting to look back on this month after some time has passed — it’s been a period of incredible happiness and incredible sadness. Whew.

Before I go to Seattle, and experience yet more stuff, I’ll talk about Camp Improv Utopia, which occurred over Memorial Day weekend. A pile of improvisers and me went into the woods, on a cliff overlooking the sea in Cambria, and learned our asses off. The Camp is in its second year and run by Nick Armstrong, a visionary who saw the exact right time to bring all these performers, teachers and students from all over, to network and learn from each other and to expand each others’ minds.

7:30am warmups with the biggest circle-up you’ve ever soon. It’s too foggy to see the Pacific vista behind the players. The Camp was set in an honest-to-god summer camp, with bunks and mess hall and archery. There were several Arizonans there, including a woman who attended the same AZ summer camp and girl scout camp as me. The nostalgia immersion helped to keep the playful and open atmosphere.

I got no pictures of the workshops or shows so here are Nick’s socks. I took classes from Craig Cackowski, David Razowsky, Suzi Barrett, and Annie Kouris/Levin O’Connor. I got so much out of every word said, especially from David, who has a remarkable “hammering in the ZEN!” style that blew me away. His words about being in the present helped me hugely, not only with my improv, but also the second I got back into cell range and fell into a giant pot of grief.

There were some free periods, during which one could improvise, craft, hike or engage in some of the more dangerous arts.

I threw an ax…

I celebrated not killing anyone.

I also didn’t pierce anyone’s spleen with an arrow, though lord knows I tried.

I decoupaged a birdhouse. I also lasted about 30 seconds trying to make a lanyard. My fingers got so bored so fast.

I spent a lot of time with Jamie and Mike, who didn’t know each other before meeting at camp, but we all were linked by knowing Sam Shaw (my friend and former director.)

Spot the hambox.

I’m in a weird time right now for my craft.. I feel like I’m teetering on the edge of relevance and wanting to let the whippersnappers take over and just fade into the sunset. Not really on that second sentiment, but I am trying to feel my way to a fresher, more focused and readjusted approach to improv. It’s nothing but good that the art form has absolutely exploded, I can’t believe how many shows I’ve gotten invited to in LA lately. It’s great! And it begs the question, where does that leave me? Who am I? But that’s the sort of good navel gazing that needs to happen, and often, with the thing one does.

And that’s about as pithy I can get. It’s a pither.

Lots more Camp Improv Utopia pictures here