Day 31: Today, I improvised
Day 31: Today, I improvised, originally uploaded by hambox.
Behold the trucker-hatted face of exhaustion, as tonight, we kicked off our annual Labor Day weekend improv frenzy.
I don’t share a lot about improv theatre here, my bloggie — I am well aware of the hyuk-hyuk, Whose Line Is It Anyway, “I heard LAMPSHADE!” reputation that short-form comedy improv has — the kind of stuff my group, Ventura TheatreSports (VATS), allegedly does.
But our little town incubates some pretty big talent, and I certainly like to think that we offer a more intelligent level of improv at times, soul-satisfying and close to something resembling art.
It can be a losing battle, keeping up the self-esteem as a short-former. However, weekends like these can recharge the battery like nothing else. We have people from all over California come and perform, teach, hang out and feel the damn love. And everyone is challenged to take chances, work hard, and get inspired. I’ve already seen some stuff that has knocked my socks off, and done work that makes me proud.
I made a conscious decision in 2003 to sharpen my creative focus to two main pursuits: quilting and improv. That sounds so dorky, but therein lies the challenge: taking these art forms that can be misunderstood — maligned, perceived as corny — and experiment with and elevate them to something (for lack of a better word) special.
And speaking of art, today, I complete the “Today, I __” photography project I have going with my friend Ã…sta, a friend and font of inspiration and creativity. Taking a picture every day in August was hard and fun and so soul-satisfying.
My soul, she is brimming with contentment.
“TODAY, I ___” project with Ã…sta. One picture a day for August, foto/photo group.
YAAAAY! We did it 🙂 I’m soooo proud of us!
Thanks again for great fun! I agree – it was hard, but very, VERY enjoyable! So, let’s put on the thinking cap and see if we come up with another project – after we’ve recovered or breath!
Have fun with the improv, you creative multi talent, you! Looking forward to more reports from that. (and I’m also looking forward to hear the podcast tonight. It’ll be my reward after I’ve done what I need to do first!)