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
