beardedlamb

the more i live and the more i produce live theatre, the more i feel like the guy with all the answers. i get a buzz when someone brings me a choice and i make a decision based either on past experience, or a gut feeling, or whatever. i might be fooling myself, but each year of the festival i get better at it. my head may be expanding. i will have to keep my big important head in check as the festival draws near. i have an excellent surprise for the staff if it pans out. i guess they might be reading this… uh, SURPRISE!

i’ve had recent interactions with old improv friends that have surprised me. some have grown egotastic after years of positive support and “good jobs!” others have grown into incredible skills that were not present the last time i left them. i’m hoping the egoness is what sean hill alerted me to many years ago. many young improvisers go through a phase where they’re on stage too much, are always either first or last on stage or off, but never in the middle. they don’t take notes and they shun rehearsals. i think its shortlived in everyone and what comes out on the other side is an incredibly well-rounded and giving performer, leaving the star-of-the-show mentality behind.

we threw a surprise 60th birthday party for my mother this past weekend and did a quick lifegame show. i interviewed and i must say i was rusty as hell. i used to be able to flow and go with new ideas and mine new territory. but this interview with my mom was surprisingly one-dimensional. the improv on the other hand was great. incredible callbacks, people left space, had great inspired ideas, and pushed each other. nearly every scene garnered applause from the audience with a good ending or at least a good joke to close it out. i was so proud of my cast and my friends and homecity. i can’t wait to get back permanently, whenever that will be.

oob starts in 2 weeks and we’re where we should be at 2 weeks out.

feels good to write again.
b