PATTI SMITH! ELON MUSK! NAPOLEON! & IMPROV!!! IMPROV SHOW! (SAT Dec 5th) GUL/4x4 IMPROV (TH Dec 3rd) & (SUN Dec 6th)

December is upon us like a heavy snow that most folks in South Florida will only 

experience in rem sleep. Give thanks for those sandy beaches that await! Think of the Improv scene you could create with characters on a beach buried in manufactured snow... 

Boarding the plane to return to South Florida airline attendants lined up ticket holders in wheel chairs for early boarding. They refused my offer to host wheel chair races in the terminal nor did they appreciate the humor of it. That too would make an interesting 

Improv scene premise. 

A handsome elderly man and his wife stood in the aisle before me as I entered the plane. I offered to help them place their carry-on bags in the overhead compartment. The man’s wife declined for him sighting his virility while he continued to sweat profusely while struggling to get the bags up over his head. I would file these rich character archetypes in my brain for use later in Improv scenes. Life offers so many opportunities for transformation into art. 

He who fears being conquered is certain of defeat-Napoleon In IMPROV make BOLD CHOICES! Bold choices leave no room for fear or defeat!

Happening this Week: 

THURSDAY 

GUL Improv comedy drop-in workshop will be happening TH evening. THURSDAYS

TH (Dec 3rd) 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) We will go over games to be played in SAT evenings show plus I’ll answer any questions. For those not in the show you will get plenty of play time cause as you know TH is a night of games and light skill work 

SATURDAY

SAT evening (December 5th) another free GUL/4x4 Comedy Improv show 8pm at 

Circle of Friends 4603 N. University Dr. Lauderhill FL 33486. If you’re not in the show please come out and support your fellow Improvisers. There will be some new games, additional cast are playing and some roles are switched for variety. There will also be a jam at the end that audience is invited to join! Everyone plays! The games and cast are attached to this email. All cast members are in at least 3 games!!! Cast members please try to bring at least one person! It’s a FREE! Show.  Details below.

SUNDAY

then SUN it’s the 4x4 Improv Comedy drop-in workshop 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 We will start drilling down on long form concepts and do some object work to grow your game! SUN is skill work, exercises and a game. Recommended for Improvisers with some experience. 

SAT SHOW (Dec 5th) DETAILS

Location: Circle of Friends & Stars 4603 N. University Dr. Lauderhill 33351 

Cast member call time: 7pm   (We will run tops and bottoms!)

Show time: 8pm

Dress: Black slacks or dark jeans/trousers if no black, black button down top, black dress shoes

If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to email, text or call me. I’ve put everyone in at least 3 games! Helene won’t be with us this time. She’ll be 

celebrating her Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Helene! 

Patti Smith, NYC poet, author and musician: I waited patiently to meet her. It was a long wait, hours in fact… Finally Smith read from her new book at the time and 

unexpectedly introduced Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. Smith played a few songs with him. I could tell she was tired and uncomfortable with crowds. When I got up in front of her, I said I was in South Jersey when you were in South Jersey, I was also in Philly when you were in Philly, I was in NYC when you were in NYC and I was in Detroit when you were in Detroit…She looked up at me for a brief moment. It was providence she replied. Then her press agent pressed me to move on.

In IMPROV when we establish an emotional connection with our scene partner a scene can go anywhere. One thing is for certain, that the scene will be interesting! In IMPROV take your time establishing the connection if a character appears that parallels the press agent even better cause you have the conflict needed to heighten the scene. 

Innovation is not easy. It takes hard work, great timing and some serious gumption - Elon Musk (Inventor, Investor, Business Magnate; Tesla Motors, Paypal, founder Space X)  

In IMPROV feel the rhythm of the scene, plant yourself in the now then raise the stakes. Be relentless! Never give up! Take chances! Dare to fail!!!

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

Best

Greg

Greg Philippi

Director
GotULaughing/4x4 Improv Comedy

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 

Tina Fey was once just Elizabeth Statmatina Fey from PA. You Could Be Next!

Calling All Writers, Directors, Actors, Improvisers & comedic storytellers! 

Ever listen to the news only to have the headlines playback with a comical twist in your mind? Ever stand in the grocery check out line listening to the cashier and find yourself fighting the urge to answer her mundane chatter as a silly character? Ever wondered how restaurant wait staff might react if you ordered an exotic item not on the menu and then gave the waitress detailed prep instructions?

If like me, youʼve had similar thoughts, then you have a unique perspective on life that the most successful comedy television writers, producers, directors and actors also possess and if thatʼs the case then Sketch Comedy for the Web and Stage, a six week, hands-on course, beginning Saturday October 12th, and running six consecutive Saturdays from 3-5pm, must be calling your name!

Sketch Comedy for the Web and Stage will be held at 9 Muses Art Center 7139 Oakland Park Blvd Lauderhill Florida. This course will provide the tools and insight for artists interested in creating and promoting Sketch Comedy in a professional manner. Sketch Comedy for the Web and Stage will also explore the effective use of comedic timing, character development, choosing topics that can be grown into multiple episodes easily, playing to niche audiences, the elements of story and how they relate to hitting the beats and the promotion and marketing of material created in class. ill be given a hand- out supporting the curriculum.

Sketch Comedy for the Web and Stage will be taught by Greg Philippi, a SAG/AFTRA actor from Los Angeles who has created several web series and has written and appeared in numerous sketch comedy pieces that have had extensive web hits. Aside from sketch comedy, Greg has extensive experience in improv, a comedic form that is an essential component in writing solid comedic scenes. As an improviser, Greg has trained with The Upright Citizens Brigade, The Second City, The ImprovTrick, Monkey Butler Comedy, Comedy Theater Sportz, and iOWest. Greg also has experience on the other side of the camera as a network TV executive, music business executive, and reality show producer. His varied background allows him to give insight into the business side of the industry.

Sketch Comedy for the Web and Stage cost is $120 entire course or $25 per class walk-in fee (payable at the beginning of each class). Following the 6 week course, students will have the opportunity for continued participation in an ongoing sketch group. For advance registration go to www.GotULaughing.Weebly.com and look for the paypal link. Contact Greg at soflorida.comedy@gmail.com

Fires Of August Entertainment

soflorida.comedy@gmail.com

323-829-1117Calling All Writers, Directors, Actors, Improvisers, Comedians & Storytellers!