BIG FOOT! ROBBED AT GUNPOINT! (STAND & DELIVER!) CHRISTOPHER REEVE! GUL/4x4 IMPROV (TH Nov 26th No class) & (SUN Nov 29th)

IMPROV GREETINGS FROM THE LAND OF BIG FOOT AND MANY TREES, PORTLAND OREGON! May you all have a wonderful day of thanks with your roasted bird or vegan alternative. Personally I give thanks that I’m not one of the original Pilgrims. Here in the hills of the great Northwest I can feel the nip of winter’s icy breath and the wet chill rising off the Willamette river. The Pilgrims didn’t have many creature comforts but they were a hearty bunch. It must have taken them many hours of “yes and” to perfect the short form Improv they shared with the native population. From it legends were born. 

So-FL haps; No class TH (Nov 26th)! It’s Thanksgiving. Class will resume SUN Nov 29th! Shake off your black-Friday buyers remorse and join us! PLEASE NOTE: We only have two workshops (next SUN Nov 29th and the following TH Dec 3rd) before our next show Dec 5th at Circle of Friends! Whether you’re in the show or not SUN Nov 29th drop-in workshop is gonna be HUGE!  

ALSO So-FL haps; showcase Dec 12th at the SOL children's theater in Boca supporting Business Casual. The show will be produced by Anthony Francis at Improv U! Those performing Dec 5th will receive first consideration to be cast in the Dec 12th showcase. In January GUL/4x4 has been approved to perform on the 5 Star Premier Residence stage once again. The exact date is not yet confirmed. 

THURSDAYS

there will be NO CLASS TH Nov 26th his week. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

TH Dec 3rd will be the next GUL Improv Comedy drop-in workshop!  7-9pm at 5 Star Premier Residence 8500 Sunrise Blvd. Plantation FL 33322 Only $10 ($5 first time attendees)

STAND and DELIVER! ...the Highwaymen’s call NOT the Adam Ant tune though this time it was one of please put down your loaded gun...  As the rear car door opened, I attempted to offer the gentleman spouting obscenities while waving his 9mm in my direction, several slices of leftover cheese pizza. My date didn’t see the humor in my gesture as she hastily handed over her wallet. I didn’t have one. It had been been stolen.  After finishing late night pizza, my date and I chose to take a shortcut to my parked car. As I turned to enter the alley, a car load of gangsters rounded the corner, their car hopping the curb onto a lawn and coming to a sudden stop in front of us. The door flung open revealing a foul mouthed perp at the end of a barrel demanding our valuables.  After adding a few crisp singles to my dates contribution, the perps fled leaving us shaken but otherwise unharmed. This was the first time I’d been robbed. The second would be a more serious tale, a twisted tale like those uncovered in a game of Grandpa’s Attic!

Two IMPROV principles come into play in the above scenario; CHOICE and STATUS. I made the choice to take the shortcut on that dark street on that particular evening and at that particular time. I made the choice to be where I was though I should have been in a class that evening. The perps made the BOLD CHOICE to confront us and up the stakes. Within the scene that unfolded we played a game of changing STATUS. I began the evening as a high status character but was quickly reduced to low status at the point of a gun. Mid scene I attempted to equal the status by offering my leftovers but was unsuccessful.  Had the perps accepted my gift we may have even added the element of game. Eventually the perps were apprehended in the same locale in the midst of a similar crime. At that point their status flipped once again.  

SUNDAYS

SUN (Nov 29nd) and every SUN 4x4 Improv Comedy drop-in workshop 2-4pm at Circle of Friends 4603 N. University Dr. Lauderhill FL 33351 Only $10 This next SUN we will work on characters, status and connections to enable Improvisers to make bold choices! We will also go over games for the upcoming shows. Whether you’re in them or not this workshop will be 

beneficial! SUN is skill work, exercises and a game. Recommended for Improvisers with some experience.

A film is only as good as a collection of…the best lucky accidents that they happen to catch on film. - Christopher Reeve (actor) In IMPROV a scene is only as good the connections made between characters discovered during the scene using *hyper listening! 

*Hyper listening to be defined in the next Improv E blast. Until then; 

See you in the movies or the popcorn line! It’s your decision!!!

Best

Greg

Greg Philippi

Director

GotULaughing/4x4 Improv Comedy

323-829-1117

ianclearspot@gmail.com 

Doors guitarist Robby Krieger AND Improv! WHEN A WINDOW CLOSES A DOOR OPENS! COFFIN IN MY DORM ROOM?! DROP-IN WORKSHOPS! NAPOLEON?! HOUDINI!!

It’s Holiday time once again! I say Pfeffernuse!!! In english the translation’s pepper nuts. My personal Pfeffernuse translation is that of a holiday cookie, a spicy little demon bite covered in powdered sugar I can barely avoid eating an entire box of in one sitting…Damn you dark spirits of the dough!  As an Improviser you are my Day of the Triffids seedling. 

In this Email blast; There's IMPROV commentary!!! plus this TH Nov 19th class,  Sat Dec 5th upcoming Show! Sat Dec 12th upcoming showcase (in Boca)! NO CLASS this SUN Nov 22nd (I’ll be in Portland Oregon) and no class on Thanksgiving TH Nov 26th (I’ll be in Los Angeles), Harold Team update, Doors guitarist Robby Krieger!  A Coffin in my college dorm!  Plus Napoleon and Harry Houdini quotes with Improv recommends…

ABOUT TWO WEEKS INTO MY JOURNEY TO SOUTHERN GEORGIA WE CAME ACROSS A COFFIN! The dorm I stayed in when I began my college journey was an old wooden structure with two floors, no air conditioning and an attic. The building had been fashioned after an early plantation architectural design. Years later I would graduate from NYU in Manhattan, far from southern Georgia in so many ways. In Georgia one evening when our “dorm mother” who had a raspy smokers voice and a limp that seemed to be the result of a bad hip replacement, was gone sniffing out corn liquor (moon shine) my friends and I explored the attic. I discovered a casket. It was metallic and smooth. I couldn’t resist. I got in. Though the outside was sleek and metallic the pillows and cushioning inside were quite comfortable. Not that those needing the use of a coffin would need such comfort or care. I never did figure out why our attic held a coffin. I still think about it.

In IMPROV discoveries are magical. Discoveries can only be made when we explore! When we DARE TO FAIL! Of course they don’t all take place in a coffin, probably very few do… Use your life in your Improv to build characters, to deliver truth to give you stories on stage life. 

THURSDAYS

TH (Nov 19th) and every TH GUL Improv Comedy drop-in workshop 7-9pm at 5 Star Premier Residence 8500 Sunrise Blvd. Plantation FL 33322 Only $10 ($5 first time attendees) TH we will do ‘object work’ and it’s gonna be fun fun fun till your daddy takes the T-bird away fun! Does anybody even drive a T-bird these days? Plus we will play Jeopardy as well as other games! There may also be a musical element to our night. Just perhaps. So get ready to party TH night!!! Remember there will be no class the following TH on Thanksgiving (Nov 26th) TH is an evening of games & light skill work.  ALL LEVELS! 

Adversity is the midwife of genius -Napoleon In IMPROV when a scene has high stakes (i.e. what makes this day more important than any other day) then the conflict, that is the friction between the characters and their wants is magical!

SUNDAYS

SUN (Nov 22nd) and every SUN 4x4 Improv Comedy drop-in workshop 2-4pm at Circle of Friends 4603 N. University Dr. Lauderhill FL 33351 Only $10 This SUN Nov 22nd is CANCELLED! I’ll be in Portland Oregon. We could skype or use Periscope? Naw. SUN class will resume the following week Nov 29th!!!! Don’t miss it! I’ve already got some exercises on the hot plate simmering! This class will make your upcoming performances sparkle if you’re a performer! SUN is skill work, exercises and a game. Recommended for Improvisers with some experience. Remember NO CLASS this SUN Nov 22nd CLASS RESUMES the following SUN Nov 29th! YES class Nov 29th Miss me yet?!

No performer should attempt to bite off red hot iron unless he has a good set of teeth 

- Harry Houdini (Illusionist)  In IMPROV preparation through training, and building solid Improv muscles that kick in subconsciously will allow you to climb mountains much higher than you thought possible to scale. 

UPCOMING SHOW SAT DEC 5th

Sat Dec 5th there will only be one show at 8pm that will run slightly longer than our show this past week rather than having an early and a late show. I’m considering a special format for the opening with members of Brain Bling then moving on to our regular show. The cast will be the same minus Helene and Suzanne but with the addition of Cindy-Ann Boisson. Many of the games will remain in place, though some players will shift. Anyone not yet signed up but interested in being a part of this show see me TH or contact me personally. I’ll be working the details over the holidays. 

UPCOMING SHOWCASE SAT DEC 12th

Those appearing in the Dec 5th show will be the first Improvisers considered for a Dec 15th showcase at the Showtime Theater in Boca Raton with headliners Business Casual. This is a 60 seat room in the nice part of Boca. We will have roughly 20 minutes to play several games. Improv U is producing the event. I’m pushing for additional time but we’ll use whatever we get. I believe the cost for guests will be $10. I’ll confirm soon. If you are in this showcase you must bring at least one but preferably two people to the show. If we have no audience we will not be invited back!

PLEASE PLEASE invite people to the Dec 5th and Dec 12th shows!  

WHEN A DOOR CLOSES A WINDOW OPENS! By the early 90s the Doors catalogue was selling so well the band had to re-open their offices which had closed in the 1970s following singer Jim Morrison’s death. The band had been brought back to the forefront 20 years after they’d been a charting act and their catalogue continues to sell well today. After being introduced to Doors guitarist Robby Krieger through his manager, I was invited to his house where we jammed on guitar in Krieger’s home studio. I later represented an animated project he was developing which never found a home due to legal land mines. During the time I got to know Robby it was evident he had similar wants, needs and pressures to those of anyone else. However, as an artist Krieger had reached a pinnacle during the bands reign at the top that eludes most. Much of his success could be accrued to talent. However some to the Doors as a band having the right components much like a great Improv troupe knowing when to support one another. The Doors were not only a great band in the right place at the right time but they were prepared for success because they had put in the work.

Great IMPROV is about moments of discovery.  As an Improviser when you’re listening, you’re mining for gold. You only have today. There may or may not be a tomorrow so give 150%! Great IMPROV is also about learning your craft, honing your skills and most of all using “active listening”! That’s listening with your entire being and not just hearing what’s been said but hearing the undercurrents of what’s been said. When you put in the work you’ll be prepared when it’s your turn to take center stage!!! 

HAROLD TEAM

We will begin rehearsing before SUN class in January. There will be a separate invitation sent to those who’ve expressed interest and I feel are ready to take on the beast! This team must be competitive! It will be fun and different. I will look outside the group if we don't have enough players.

SIDE NOTE: Though this may not happen, I’ve also been approached about possibly coaching a team separate from anything we’re doing. I would be paid to do so. There would be auditions. Should this move forward I’ll make details available. Players can participate in both groups. Contact me with any questions.

See you in the movies or the popcorn line! It’s your decision!!!

Best

Greg

Greg Philippi

Director

GotULaughing/4x4 Improv Comedy

323-829-1117

ianclearspot@gmail.com 

COMEDIAN SINBAD! BLACKBEARD'S BLACKSMITH SHOP! NAPOLEON! KIM GORDON of SONIC YOUTH?!

THIS WEEK'S TH evening, SUN afternoon drop-in classes, SUN evening show info! (What a show?!) Comedian Sinbad! and last but not least Blackbeard’s Blacksmith Shop! Ey' Captain!!! plus IMPROV tips and comments!

It’s amazing how many things you can do when you’re just pretending -Kim Gordon 
(bassist with post-punk rockers Sonic Youth) -In IMPROV we strive to play as kids once again, letting go of life and it’s heavy burden’s by blocking out daily surface noise for the few hours we are in class or on stage. Then we can tap into our subconscious and discover the many treasures stored there. 

Sinbad; It’s Just Family aired on the WE television network. It was a short-lived comedy/reality television show focused on Comedian Sinbad’s life. I was cast as a Hollywood studio exec with one day on set and several lines of dialogue. In our scene Sinbad pitches a script idea to me suggesting Halle Berry play the role of his wife. I arrived on set the morning of our taping and after going through hair and makeup we began rehearsal which consisted of running our lines a couple times. After the second or third run through I replied in a droll stoic tone that I actually didn’t see Halle Berry in the role of his wife but felt that Oprah was a better match. Sinbad laughed. It was a comedic moment that broke the ice and added a natural element to the shoot. It was also an action taken after I'd read the room! Because time is money in film and television my comment could have backfired causing tension with the Director and/or the star or even could have been cause for my firing. The results however helped the scene, allowing us to shoot the scene quickly with a relaxed air, saving both time and money.

In television as in IMPROV it is important to read the room and get a feel for the mood of those around you before taking any action. In IMPROV we check in with our scene partner (or should) at the top of the scene before speaking.

THURSDAYS
TH (Nov 12th) and every TH GUL Improv Comedy drop-in workshop 7-9pm at 5 Star 
Premier Residence 8500 Sunrise Blvd. Plantation FL 33322 Only $10 ($5 first time attendees)  TH game play is in full swing covering some of the games in our next couple of shows as well as light skill work. Even if you’re not in the upcoming show this workshop is gonna be fun and full of laughter! TH is an evening of games & light skill work.  ALL LEVELS!

The English Channel is a mere ditch - Napoleon In IMPROV Have confidence in yourself and support your scene partner!  The audience will be invested in the scene and in your succeeding. The task at hand will seem much smaller. 

SUNDAYS
4x4 Improv SUN (Nov 8th) and every SUN Improv drop-in workshop! 2-4pm at Circle of Friends 4603 University Dr. Lauderhill FL 33351 Only $10 This week we’ll do object and space work, solidify scene partner connections, dig deeper into the Invocation exploring what drives it and play a game if time allows. If you truly want to grow your Improv come to this workshop! SUN is skill work, exercises and a game. Recommended for Improvisers with some experience. 

NEXT SUNDAY EVENING PERFORMANCE
SUN Nov 15th show is at 6pm at Circle of Friends 4603 N. University Dr. Lauderhill FL 33351 FREE!!! Performer call-time is 5:15pm. Dress is black button down top (dark blue if you do not own black) and dark jeans or slacks or a dark skirt.  Be comfortable in clothing that allows you to move. This is our first performance in awhile and it’s designed to knock the cobwebs off and make us shiny.

Since this is an early show, you can eat before or after. The show will last an hour and there will be a short open jam at the end in which I’ll invite audience members to join us for games and/or scene tag at the end if there is enough interest. I counted at least 40 chairs so we should have plenty of seating. The show is FREE. Please invite friends, fans, family and even other Improvisers. Kids are welcome at this show! The address is Circle of Friends and Stars 4603 N. University Blvd. Lauderhill FL 33351 Think of this show as a big pre-Thanksgiving party! Let’s have fun!!!

NOTE: There will be regular class Sunday 2-4pm and I might add those attending will be warmed up and ready to rock!  If you did not yet sign up for the December 5th shows and still want to play you will be able to sign up this week.

Look for the SUN show roster to arrive in a separate email coming tonight. If you have any questions or if I’ve put you in a game you don’t want to play or have a question about please see me privately and I’ll do my best to address your concerns.

Standing in at the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans I stepped glanced up to see Louis Armstrong park in the distance, marked by its name arching over the entrance, all lit up with small bulbs and reaching out of the jet black night. I could feel the park’s past and it’s present having been where slaves were brought on Sunday’s and allowed to mingle with those from other Plantations. Just down the street from Louis Armstrong Park sits Blackbeard’s original blacksmith shop where he purportedly traded in stolen goods. Today the original blacksmith shop is an open air bar serving drinks by candle light.

As an IMPROVISER you should be able to take an audience to a location through your object work, dialogue and interaction with your scene partner. How would you convey this location?

See you in the movies!
Best
Greg
Greg Philippi
Director
GotULaughing/4x4 Improv
323-829-1117
ianclearspot@gmail.com 

IMPROV! OINGO BOINGO! YOKO ONO! & THE WHISKY-AU-GO-GO! DANNY ELFMAN!

This week we start to prep for several upcoming GotULaughing/4x4 shows! Everyone is welcome to play (details below)! TH we’ll play games and explore the truth of the scene. SUN we’ll continue to build your IMPROV skill level! Plus Oingo Boingo!!!

A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is a reality -Yoko Ono  -In IMPROV the group mind is when scene partners or an entire Harold team are all on one accord, in sync, understanding and/or even foretelling one another’s thoughts and actions as the narrative unfolds on stage. 

THURSDAYS

TH (Nov 5th) & every TH GUL Improv Comedy drop-in workshop 7-9pm at 5 Star 

Premier Residence 8500 Sunrise Blvd. Plantation FL 33322 Only $10 ($5 first time attendees)  This week we’ll squeeze in several games plus light skill work and lots of laughs!!!  TH is an evening of games & light skill work.  ALL LEVELS!

Behind a wooden door off the second floor balcony and up a second set of stairs is the Whisky-au-go-go green room where new wave rockers Oingo Boingo were preparing to take the stage. The entire A&M records upper echelon who had just signed the band were nestled along the balcony at small tables patiently waiting for a taste of their investment. I’d been meeting with members of Oingo Boingo for several weeks preparing an in depth feature on their climb from street performers utilizing poetry, jugglers, unicyclists and fire breathers and a sound molding elements of french cabaret with quirky rock. Eventually Danny Elfman, lead vocalist and main writer would leave to compose motion picture scores after coming to the attention of film Director Tim Burton. Elfman’s composing credits to date include TV shows from The Simpsons theme to films like Spiderman and Batman. I still have a mental picture of Elfman doing sit-ups and deep knee bends in the green room that night which was a far cry from the band’s tough quirky street image. Eventually my article would come out in several music publications though Elfman called me initially nervous that my revealing the band’s behind the scenes changes might alienate members of their fan base. It had no affect. There music was their truth. 

In IMPROV we the audience believe in what we see on stage when you the performer believe in the world you have created on that stage. Your truth becomes our truth. 

What the eyes see and the ears hear, the mind believes - Harry Houdini (illusionist) 

In IMPROV the reality of the scene becomes the audiences reality when justified! If those on stage believe then the audience will…

SUNDAYS

4x4 Improv SUN (Nov 8th) & every SUN Improv drop-in workshop! 2-4pm at Circle of Friends 4603 University Dr. Lauderhill FL 33351 Only $10 This week we’ll continue focusing on short form scene work, we’ll also work on long form opens and introduce Harold “first beats”. I also hope to play Grandpa’s Attic time allowing. SUN is skill work, exercises and a game. Recommended for Improvisers with some experience.

PERFORMANCES

We have several upcoming performances at the SUNDAY 4x4 rehearsal space. Shows will be an hour long with a jam at the end and free to the public. The short open jam at the end will allow audience members interested in playing to join us on stage. I’m hoping these shows will get the group prepared for several larger rooms. 

Tentative show dates and times are Sunday November 15th 6pm-7:30pm and Saturday December 5th with two shows back to back. First show will be 8-9pm followed by a second show 9:30-10:30. There will be a sign up sheet TH and SUN. Once you have signed up to be in a show you are required to attend at least one TH or SUN workshop each week leading up to the show unless you have special permission by the instructor stating otherwise. 

HAROLD TEAM

I will be putting a long form team together that will rehearse once a week for the purpose of performing The Harold and possibly competing or appearing in shows with other long form teams throughout south Florida and possibly beyond. Rehearsals are tentatively going to be held before SUN 4x4 workshop though this may change. There is no charge to be on the Harold team though it is at the Director’s discretion. I may hold auditions and I may just choose performers depending on interest. We need 7-8 dedicated performers to do a Harold. If there is not enough interest within the GotULaughing/4x4 family I will reach out to others in the Improv community.  

See you in the movies!

Greg

Greg Philippi

Director

GotULaughing/4x4 Improv

323-829-1117

ianclearspot@gmail.com