Confessions of an Improviser

In the next two months, you will have a. lot. of. chances. to see me perform with TSF:

• TSF Presents: Mainstage-A Night of “Art” (Jan. 13 & 14)
• There’s a GatorNights show on Jan. 20 - but I highly doubt I’ll be there because…
• In Atlanta, to compete in the College Improv Tournament (Jan. 21)
• With both the Delta Group and TSF’s Short Form Team in the Gainesville Improv Festival (Feb. 1-4)

This semester, I will also be co-teaching TSF’s Level 4 class. Hopefully team auditions will go well, too.

PHEW.

Nerdy thing:

Tonight is my first short form “GatorNights” show in a year. I took last semester off to focus on school; I auditioned this semester, but didn’t make the team by a very small margin. So, this semester, I worked my patootie off to prove myself. I was promoted to the team after a few weeks of practice and work!

That was, like, basically one of the first things I’ve ever had to work for in my life. If not in life, then definitely improv-wise. I know I’m not an expert, BELIEVE ME I KNOW, but I was really proud of myself for working hard and seeing results.

I’m nervous/excited for tonight. It feels like we’re always trying to prove ourselves in the improv community here.

I need to remember what we all need to remember: we’re all very awesome. We need to seize and enjoy every opportunity that presents itself. Go out there and have fun; that’s the truest way to shine.

Also, I’m just excited that I finally get a blue shirt and not a dumb red one. No offense, red.

Sometimes, I’m too nice.

I’ve gotten a lot of feedback on my improv over the years. (It sounds like I’ve been at it for a decade, but really, this will be my third year performing.) But over time, the note has gotten more and more specific.

When I get critiqued, I work on it until I can cross it off my list.

I tend to get one note, however, at almost every rehearsal or audition:

Be more aggressive. Be the star of the scene. You support really well, but you need to stand out.

I guess those are all of the things I try not to be in life. I’m not a show-off. I’m not boisterous or loud. I enjoy attention, but I don’t crave it.

But if I want to be the best performer possible, that means I have to step up in the sparkle department. I have to learn to step on toes, to make scenes my own and to get the attention I deserve.

*This is all in regards to short-form. My flaws in short-form are often strengths in long-form, though I should try to stand out a bit more.