When I began attending Improv Bootcamp on Monday nights at the Staircase Theatre, I had no idea that it would bring me fame and notoriety so quickly. My first show is a distant fleck on a possible horizon. And yet my name, along with friends Columbia and Rebecca, is mentioned in the Spectator this morning:
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/690503--the-mothers-and-fathers-of-improv-invention
The article, by Jeff Mahoney, is all about "the Mothers of Improv". Jeff talked to the three of us for all of five seconds, during which Becca came up with an awesome quote. Despite the short time he talked to us, you can tell he gets it, the draw of improv, the fun of it, the magic of the Staircase Theatre. For those of you who get the Spectator (or will get it knowing I'm in there), the article is on A4. My picture is in the print version, but not the online version.
I don't know if the idea of improv "appeared in a balloon over our heads", as Jeff puts it. It would be more accurate to say that I wanted to try it, and I dragged my friends along. I like Jeff's version better. In any case, all three of us fell in love with it.
One of my favourite characters to play is very much like my daughter, cute to the point of being obnoxious. I've thrown tantrums to rival my son's. It's all very therapeutic. I always thought that I'd be a good mother, because I'm silly and fun-loving, but it's hard to be that way while in mom mode. I can't let loose when I have to be the one to say "don't hit, don't throw, don't jump," and sometimes, believe it or not, "don't laugh." At improv I can be myself and, at the same time, I never have to be myself.
My favourite line (other than Becca's quote):
"Hugh MacLeod, originator of The Staircase, can’t quite explain the influx [of improv Moms], especially in recent months, but it makes for a lively dynamic, especially as the other demographic bulge in local improv is young men." No Hugh, I can't imagine why a group of stay-at-home Moms would want to spend the evening playing pretend with young men, especially when so many of them are so adorable.
In other news I gave birth to Hugh MacLeod, originator of The Staircase, on Monday night during an improv scene. It was his idea.
3 comments:
Sounds like fun, Jen!! I imagine this will also help you get inside your character's heads, not that you don't already do that expertly!
Jen I just read this now! Very funny! I remember that scene, I was thankful you came in to save us because I had no idea where I was going with the knitting.
Hey Jen! What a great idea you guys had, excellent way to release some untapped creativity! I loved your friends quote:
“Improv’s like being a mom,” says Rebecca. “You make it up as you go.”
so very true!!1 :)
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