From Christmas 05 to Christmas 06: A Black Chick's Journal

[Shaun Landry]

I can't sleep

Last night I snuck in on doing a show that did not occur. I got messed up and said shit I probably did not mean to say...

Today I spent a lot of money on paint. A *lot of it*...I watched fights with Hans and got dogged hanging out.

And now I can't sleep. And I got to get up early to be at the theater.

I'm feeling quesy and nauseaus and I don't know why. Hold on. *I really do know why*

sometimes? I hate the things that I do. The truth will always bite you in the ass.

Always.

 

[Shaun Landry]

The Beer Ghost of John Belushi

Two hours of sleep. I'm on two hours of sleep. Hans gathered me up at five or six in the morning just strung out and on his computer making a little B-Roll for myself to put on YouTube.

Of course this did not stop hm from not only dealing with having insomnia? He also heightened my miserable lack of sleep by waking me up and not even saying Good Morning? But being sorta insane

Him: Did you leave last night
Me: No.
Him: Because the front door was open.
Me: Hans? I went outside to get air and grab a smoke in the hopes the air would make me tired.
Him: (Not even listening) Did you have someone over here last night?

I started to scream at 7:45 in the morning. I don't mean screaming language. Just screaming and beating my fucking pillow. When I get language I scream "FUCK YOU! YOU WERE THE ONE WHO PUT ME TO BED. CHECK FUCKING YOUTUBE. I SPENT ALL NIGHT ON THE COMPUTER! I did not have someone over here while you were sleeping FUCKING THEM.

I just started to cry. And wail "You woke me out of two hours of fucking sleep. FOR THIS BULLSHIT??" Insult to injury? He actually checked his computer and YouTube.

Good. Motherfucking. Morning. I was in no sort of mood at all when the cab picked us up with all the paint and equipment to get to The Buriel Clay. No mood at all. Wanted to have nothing to do with Hans. At all. Did not want to be there. I was on two hours of sleep. And angry. Angrier than I have been in a long, long time at a man. I just don't have time for that sort of fucking crazy. I just don't.

We get there and I forgot how beautiful the space was. I check out the space and there is not really much painting that really needed to be done. Just touch up. The big space was the Green Room. The wall was just cracked and whacked.

And the un-expected outside bathrooms. Both bathrooms had been tagged. That had to go.

Moronlife show up with two lovely men who are married and were in the Historical Photo Shoot (one wearing a tiara for the shoot). Wacky Improv Dance D shows and they get to work. It was wierd. I honestly did not do much. They were all over painting. D looked at me and said "You need sleep". I said "God, you think? Girl...don't even get me started about my morning."

Zippy comes by to help with tech. His hair has grown out. I really, really love him with long hair. I personally think he looks hot with long hair. There was literally NOTHING to do with the lights. No re-focusing. All the channels make sense. The sound is a tri-tierd system that is incredible. The light booth is a professional light booth that can fit over six people in it.

God. It's dreamy. We reminense about how I almost went up in flames the first improv festival when the sound system caught on fire...almost taking out my sweater and having to put myself out. Good times. Yeah. Good times. He hits the light on the scrim that is already on the stage? And there are the syke lights we so desperately wanted for last year.

This space is just fucking dreamy. Everyone there is so fucking awesome too who runs the actual theater. Hell, Jim the main tech person just went the hell home when he realized we knew what we were doing.

Zippy heads over to the old space to grab the projector and the DVD. Meanwhile Yoga Boy arrives with all of his tech tools. I tell him there is *nothing to be done* He stands in the middle of this theater in awe and looks up. He goes into the booth and goes through the program and looks at me and says "Un-fucking believable" It all there. Including a follow spot. All he does is help set up the projector with Hans and Zippy and helps hang that from the pre-established projector holder in the rafters.

Dreamy. This space is So. Fucking. DREAMY. We got there at nine. We left at 3ish. Four Hours earlier than planned. The green room looks great. We tried to take out garbage and Erroyl (or the true Black Don't crack. Man is 70 years old. He looks 50) was all "What the hell. We got crew to do that"

Oh great god. *They have crew*. And it aint me. My morning is being made up for. All over.

We get home and I check my email. There is an email from Pyramid Breweries:

Hi! I am wondering how I go about getting Pyramid Brewery into your festival. Please let me know either via email or you can call me Thank you!!

I just sat there stunned. This was the last big worry for me. You see, our former beer sponsor has been yanking me around for *months* I had put up all their logos and all the rest? And my contact informed me they were having a "Bottle issue". I did not know what that meant? All I know is I was gettng that screwed-two-year-here-we-go-again-having-to-buy-beer-around-the-corner-
for-the-festival "vibe"

Then all of a sudden this. I call her. She calls back 30 minutes later. It's four. We set up a meeting at the Brainwash at 7. She arrives there early at 6:15. I get there exhausted with white paint still in my braids.

She has a Pyramid Package...a Medium T-Shirt...and Four bottles of their beer I have drunk a million times before and bought for last years festival.

And she sits there. She sits there with her lovely Betty Page hair cut and makeup and says to me everything they can supply out of Berkeley. For free. How they can deliver four cases a week. For free to sell. She says all the material they can give us. For giveaways. She tells me they would be honored to pour their product for free at the Opening night party and the rest of the festival *for free* at our Sponsor Bar Place Pigalle.

Then she says "Do you need a banner for outside"

(Stunned) Yes. I was going to get that tomorrow

Her: We can do that for you...and have it by Tuesday.

Me: (long stare and exhausted) Where did you come from?

She just started laughing. I told her: "I'm convinced the Ghost of John Belushi brough you to me." I could not say Del Close. She would have no idea what the fuck I was talking about.

It's a dreamlike state. A complete and total dreamlike state. Every single worry I had about this festival? Is now over.


Maybe its the ghost of Belushi. Maybe it the "You are trying to be good and for your troubles you get all sorts of jelous bullshit..so we are rewarding you with this" karma.

I don't know. I really don't care. Right now I feel a lot lighter than this morning. And a shitload lighter than last Monday.

Thank you whatever god is the right one.

Or thank you Mr. Belushi.

 

[Shaun Landry]

It's so on.

Last night was intense. The Make Em Ups was fine. I thought I was off point and the challenge was Shakespere. It was fine. Good points through the improv with a fairly decent house. People started to give me checks for classes. That was odd. But good.

I head over to Lefty's to check out the upstairs space hat was bantered about as a venue. I talk to the owner and hang out with a man name James who just got here and just attended Ronen's improv class at DSIF.

The owner laughs and says "If we go up there...there is a possibility we just might fall through the floor"

It's a disaster up there. That space would take millions just to get into shape. I guess the owner of the building also owns a bunch of buildings up and down the street with spaces similiar to this. In complete ill repair.

If this cat is interested in fixing up the place? Great. Call me when that happens. But until then. Uh. No.

I hang out and drink with James and he talks to the dear waitress who is also going to art school. Kevin Spacey announces all the Festival Information to the entire bar over the mic and then James gets up with a saxaphone player and they wail. James sorta looks like Hootie from Hootie and the Blowfish singing. And he has a beautiful voice. There is a professional singer hanging out and she is belting too. She just came back from doing Buddy Guy's joint in Chicago.

By the end of the night? It was like an industry music and comedy night. Saxophone Player. Piano Player and us just fucking around. Spacey's tip jar was jammed packed last night. The bartender thanks me personally for bringing people in and buys me a drink on the house.

I really love Lefty's.

========================================================

I have four cases of beer in the front of my house right now. Along with a case of gorgeous beer glasses and one big ass box of nice plastic cups. It is just too much. Colleen and Pyramid rock. She is meeting with Onion R and S to connect on Thursday for more events...and I got a sweet email from S thanking me.

Get on Goldstar. Friday Night tickets for Opening? Sold out. With a few tickets left for Thursday. I guess I have to open up tickets for Saturday Night for Goldstar patrons.

The guest list has kinda gotten a little cumbersome for The Party. I'm passing this off to someone.

The Weekly is out and that has made the phone ring off the hook all day long. I spent about 40 minutes with one woman on the phone about improv. She just wanted to talk improv. At one point the phone boops for the 7th time and she goes "My goodness! Who keeps calling you!" I said "Maam? This is the reservation ine" and she realizes at that point how long we had been on the phone.

Meanwhile I hook up with Magic Absinthe Boy to drop off stuff before he heads back to New York. He drops me off at the other space I'm planning on looking at and taking pictures of. He peeks through the window and he says "Front room small theater. Mainstage big room"

Yup. Same thing I had in mind. I physically go into the space with the realtors tonight.

Call from Big name film production company. They are coming in from Los Angeles and they are scouting the festival starting with J&J and Un-Scripted Theater. I just sent that email off to the ensmble. I just started laughing when I got the call from Hans loud comment while I was on the phone:

OH YEA! IT'S A FESTIVAL NOW WITH INDUSTRY!

Phone call from The Chronicle. Checking the names of Will and Zabeth for the big article.

It's on. All of it is on.

 

[Shaun Landry]

Hives

I'm covered in them. Up my arms. Under my arms. And in new places that I have never gotten hives at.

Yes sir. My stress is coming out through my body.

Today I spent most of the day just dealing in festival stuff. The Onion stuff came out and it was fine by me. The AV Newsletter, two advertisements for the festival and the Opening night party and the blurb.

I also got calls for Matt's show. God. As much as they are trying to seperate out our gigs? I just get more phone calls. I'm still getting calls and my Live Person online asking questions about Besser from the Chronicle Article two weeks ago. The great thing about live person is I can send them a link to the site for Besser Tickets.

Box office for the Improv World.

So between fielding calls it seems for every event going on in San Francisco including The Festival I deal with getting over to meet TFM Ms. R. Last week she was supposed to walk the space, and forgot to show up. Today I grab a cab to the theater. I actually got there at 4:10 to meet her at four.

I hang out with the other African Americans.

"Must be great being white and late" said one woman who had that classic Black Female Pattern Balding going on...so she slicked her hair and did that weird black bang greasy thing.

"and acceptable" says a brother...who as soon as he left the rest of the crew started dissing him. My people. My people.

R finally arrives and all the black people give her some Black jibbing "Well look who's here! Glad you can make it!"

R makes me smile a lot. She walks the space and I don't even take her into the booth. She asks the dimensions of the space space and says "Oh hell. I'm just going to say huge" she asks three questions and she drives me home in her classic bad ass car that has the orginal around the waste seat belts and we talk of family.

That was the easiest walk through. Ever.

When I get home, I'm swamped. Phone calls...emails...ticket request, voice messages, the whole nine yards. That is when I start breaking out in hives. I add on Saturday for tickets on the discount service...and now those are selling out too.

then I realize where all this is coming from. I get online? And there is The 96 hour article in full bloom.

God love Will. He did that interview from lord only knows where. Maybe from Lowell. Maybe heading towards Los Angeles. I don't know. He rocks.
And The Person This Blog is Really About? He rocks too. When I spoke to her I rolled off literally every single improv ensemble in The San Francisco Area (not even including the east bay and beyond)...and she just started laughing. So she asked me to give a smaller list.

I'm glad Beatnik got into the article. . That is what I was hoping for.

So up on the website with all the press. Then I realized I would be exhausted by Sunday and did the newsletter blast tonight. I skipped Oui Be Negroes rehearsal...then got the lowdown from Curly and Hans. Curly took home a free beer mug from the beer sponsor, and looked at the four cases still sitting in the front room

Him: That's all the beer you got?
Me: (laughing) baby. That is just for this weekend. I get four cases every week.
Him (pausing) so IS THAT ALL THE BEER YOU GOT?

That was the biggest laugh I got all day. I told him I could call the sponsor and get beer delivered in less than two hours if I run out because they are located in Oakland and they would deliver it to us.

So there would be extra. Just for him.

I have not washed my dress clothes yet.
I got to get three rolls of tickets.
The Financials I just finished in Excel and the Ticketing Accounting Service.

I'm covered in hives.

Like this is anything new after three years.

 

[Shaun Landry]

San Francisco Improv Festival Day One

Surprisingly Calm. I woke up surprisingly calm. As though it was not even happening today. I have planning this thing since August of 2006. And now I'm surprisingly calm.

The Weekly Calls. They want to come and review the Festival. Cool by me. Come on by. Leave a media comp for them.

I wash my dress clothes. I field calls from Steve and Rafi and Colleen. I get help from DM girl Ms. D and Moronlife. Will and Zabeth call from Big Sur to say that they are still alive. I answer mass amounts of phone calls. Moron Life comes in his sporty sports car first. He heads off to buy tickets and table cloths and wine and flowers for the ensembles. I head off with DM Girl (after getting a nice but annoying phone call from someone who says he is the "King of Publicity". I tell him he has called me at the Opening of my festival. He just did not hear that and finally I say "This sound great. But I'm in the middle of trying to open my festival. I'm sure as a Media King? You would understand this. Dumbass") to get water and soda some champaign to go with the wine for the ensembles.

I get to the theater and Hans and Moronlife are already there. We set up the beer and wine table. Rafi and Ben show and I show them about the space. Then Hans comes up with the most obvious idea:

Should there be Onion Newspapers here?

Yeah. Fucking duh. Rafi gets on the phone. Then he and Ben head off to steal Newspapers from their own boxes. I love those guys. They make me laugh.

Beer Sponsor shows up with all sort so small banners and stuff. We hang them in the window of the Buriel Clay. Small little pup tents to go with the displays that were made by us. It sorta looks sharp. Colleen looks at our soda of root beer and ginger ale and says "Do you realize we also have all natural Ginger Ale and Root beer in bottles? I can bring those to you too"

Great god. My concessions is completely covered. *Where did this woman come from?*

True Fiction Arrives. Yoga boy and Ms. R know each other from when Yoga Boy was a kid...and him and his dad chat with her. "Theater People" Yoga boy grins to me.

They warm up. Moronlife takes pictures. Our videographer arrives. He sets up.

Will and Zabeth arrive exhausted and hungry from the journey from Los Angeles. Thank god the dressing rooms have showers. That is a monster perk for out of town guests. Steve is with them from Boston. How the hell I missed this cat living in Chicago is beyond me.

I get into my dress and pearls. True Ficton Magazine tells me I look hot. I ask them how they would be liked to be introduced and they said "Please don't introduce us as the most incredible group ever...or the best ensemble in town"

So I stand in the dressing room and we joke about how I should introduce them for a while. One point I say "How about this: Before we go into our next ensemble? I woud like to have everyone give a silent prayer for all the families who lost loved ones in Hurricane Katrina (long pause) AND NOW TRUE FICTION MAGAZINE!"

DR said "How about: Before our next ensemble....I just want to mention that one of the company members just found out that a family member has cancer. Try to guess which one. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...."

Ms R says "Just say: I look hot. Ladies and gentlemen..."

Five to places. Wild hair piano man is laid out in the Green Room. TFM has gone into the front of the house with the other 80 people (The largest Opening Night we have ever had in three years) and Will and Zabeth stand behind stage. Yoga Boy is on God Mike. Moronlife standing with his camera. Videoman in the back of house.

The lights go down and I go out. It has started.

I joke a bit about the incredible space and how it is in a black community center and the only black folks around is me and the security. Then it is pointed out that there is one black guy in the house.

There is always one. And this guy? He wants to be in Negroes.

I introduce Improvboston's Aye Diego. God that show was tight. Love the Meisneresque format of repeating the sentence and starting something new from there. And of course it all wraps around the character of Diego himself.

http://static.flickr.com/71/168383141_88903f5ac1.jpg?v=0
Zabeth Russel will always be one of the funniest ladies around

I love the laughter wave that the space creates. It echos throughout the theater and it is pretty amazing.

We take break. I grab a free t-shirt for a giveaway and the announcements of the party. I'm itching for a smoke. BAD. Close to that I will pull out a spleen I need a smoke feeling. I don't get one. My smokes are locked in IB's Dressing room.

I stand behind stage with TFM. I tell them I'm going to ask an Elaine May Mike Nichols question. A few minutes later The Man This Blog is really About says: "The Powers that be back here say to give a couple of clues"

Wow. It's an improv audience. You think? I prepare my second round of questions just in case.

Second half. I go out and Do the talk of classes and holding onto the stubs and programs for the party and the 15-Minutes show and revolving madness show. Then I pull out the T-Shirt...promote the sponsor and ask the improv question: What Comedy Duo From Chicago who worked at second city also wrote and directed "The Birdcage"

Not a second lasped someone screamed "ELAINE MAY AND MIKE NICHOLS". Well. Guess I did not need to go to the second question.

http://static.flickr.com/73/168383354_38555f370f.jpg?v=0
That is me doing the OH yeah! To the winner. Who turned out to be Patricia Ryan of Stanford University who brought Negroes here in 2000. Somehow? That just was a bad disadvantage.

So I get all solemn to introduce TFM. Just solemn enough from them to think I'm going to go with the Katrina or Cancer opening.

Ladies and Gentlemen. The next ensemble asked me to specifically say this. (pause) I look hot. Ladies and Gentlemen, from San Francisco True Fiction Magazine!

I went behind stage and chilled out and listened to TFM like radio. You see? I can really gear how good the improv is? If I can listen to it and it makes logical sense without seeing it. This of course does not silent theater or physical theater. Just verbal based ensembles. That is my true gauge of incredible improvisation. Radio for the mind baby.

Yeah. It sounded great. And I missed some incredible visuals too.
http://static.flickr.com/72/168384648_bd335c55c3.jpg?v=0
Amos Glick of True Fiction Magazine has also been a part of The San Francisco Mime Troupe. This cat is one hell of an actor.
http://static.flickr.com/59/168384799_750ab7c458.jpg?v=0
The Cast of true Fiction Magazine.

It was an incredible show Wild Hair Piano Man is just incredible. The whole cast is. I'm sorry. They sorta are the best in town.

I run out of the theater with Yoga boy, his lady and Clay to Place Pigalle. parking right in front...thank god. D has already been there setting up forever god love her. And I already see this is going to be a performance what the fuck. Already feel it. No mics. Crowded bar. Hipsters drinking. Straight Hipsters drinking. Great.

They turn off the music...I get on the stage...and It all comes back to me. Fucking Barprov.

http://static.flickr.com/60/168385169_f5c36d0662.jpg?v=0
People in the front say HEY! (HEY) People by the tables say WHOA! (whoa)
{{screaming}} People by the bar now SCREAM (YAAAAY!)

It was a madhouse. Talking over people and all the rest. I got them to hush for a bit....because shit. I'm the Ethel Merman of Improv. I introduce Revolving and 15-Minutes (who merged together). They get the obvious bar suggestion of the word "Pussy"

And it turned blue.

http://static.flickr.com/58/168386170_a7bac26f1e.jpg?v=0
It turned blue quick. But hey. The audience. That audience? Loved it.

After feeling a little dirty we settle in for beers and talk and fun. By the end of the night the place really picked up into high Straight meat market with people literall making out around us. Hans questioned what happened to pick up subtly and I said. "It's San Francisco and its a bar full of young straight people. you know: "Oh my god you are straight. Let's fuck"

Me Hans and Zabeth head out and I surprise Will by taking him to Cancun's. He has been talking about how he went there and I kept saying "Oh I will take you to this place on 19th and Mission"...

He was so happy. We get there and he pays for us all god love him. that is a new one. He is so sweet. He orders in Spanish. Hans mangles the name he is ordering in as usual. It is sorta funny and embarrassing at the same time.

We head home and we coma on Mexican Food. We catch up. We cover the futon and get Tut out the front room for Will and head to bed.

I'm so calm right now. Tonight is night two. It is going so smooth...most of us are just going to cruise on over at 6:30ish. Don't have to worry about opening the space. There are people there to do that.

So calm now. Just six more weeks to go.

All the pictures are on Flickr.

 

[Shaun Landry]

San Francisco Improv Festival Day Two

Hans gets up at some ungodly hour. He has taken the day off and still got up at some ungodly hour. He made coffee at some ungodly hour. This means I'm awake because I just can't sleep through coffee.

When you go to sleep on Mexican food at 2? Eight is an ungodly hour. He also arouses poor Will and Zabeth. They are a lot cooler than I.

They take showers. More improviser who have now fallen in love with the rain stick in the bathroom. They head out to explore Berkeley and Oakland.

Meanwhile Hans lays on the couch and naps all day while I upload all the pictures and tag them into Flickr. I also field phone calls for most of the day and answer the Live Person. It is pretty laid back.

I forego the dress tonight. I looked like a beach seal in most of those pictures and opt for black velour pants and the black tuxedo Shirt Ms. Frost gave me when I was in New York and my black sneakers (or as I call them? Waiter Sneakers)

Hans informs me we are almost out of beer. Curly was indeed right. Improv audiences sure do know how to go through beer. The wine was virtually untouched. It must be the idea that we can sell beer cheaper becuase...well...its 100% profit and we can do that. So I call up Ms. Colleen and get a few more cases. The Apricot is going fast. As close to wine as humanly possible.

We so get to the theater later. We got there at 6:30. Hans grabs ice from around the corner and I set up. Will and Zabeth are already there crashed out on the couch in the green room.

The rest of the night was really damn uneventful. The audience arrives. All the Negroes show up. The house music plays. People buy a shit load of beer including the extra case Ms. Colleen brought. We need *more beer*

The show starts. Both sets were really really strong. Some guy popped out of his chair at the end of True Fiction's show with a standing ovation.

David Norfleet just makes everything sound like a film score. God. That guy is a good piano player.

A very dear lady, The man this blog is really about and I sit on the edge of the stage and talk about theories of improisation. She wants to take classes and we told her to get on The Alliance site and pick the place that is the most comfortable for her. I eat while we talk (courtesy of Will and Zabeth who ran out to get food and brought back some for me. I had not eaten all day) and rap improv.

I'm just exhausted. the bottom of my feet. Fucking HIVES. We all forgo going to Place Pigalle and call it an early night.

I pump and buy gas for Will and Zabs car. Then I realize how much California Gas is. By the time it got to 40 bucks I said to Will "Okay...I'm stopping at 50." The Gas pump filled up at 43.75. god. This is why I want an electric bike. I hate California when it comes to this. HATE IT.

I get home and my stomach starts going nuts. I start breaking out in hives. Oh well. Maybe I'm just stressing. Hans is hungry and orders food. He turns on a scary movie that puts Will and Zabeth right out on the couch asleep. Meanwhile he comes to where I'm just spacing, sore, itching and in stomach pain. He asks if I want to do the financials and I'm just too tired to even think straight. I head to bed.

He comes in later with food. He bought me a sandwich. I felt bad because I did not want him to eat by himself...so we had dinner in bed. We both head to sleep and about an hour later?

I was bowled in horrifying pain. Swollen feet. Horrific cramps. Nausea. I really thought I was going to die. And for two hours I sat in bed. Wanting to either poo or throw up. None of which was happening at anytime too quick.

After a while I just woke Hans up and said "Hans? Take me to the hospital. I'm going to die" Like an old lady. Or a ten year old child.

He get up and gives me an Alka Seltzer Plus. I thought how is this cold medicine going to help?

Then I realize it has Bi-Carbs in it. So I drink it and the next thing I know it is 9 in the morning. It put me right out.

I wake up and get on my cheap ticket service and read that a comment that says "It was not improv. It was more like a rehearsed play..."

this person? Is not the sharpest tack in the box. I got a hold of the main person and told them to invite them back tonight to PROVE the show is improvised. Dumbass.

An impromptu party has been planned at my house to BBQ for closing night. I told the TFM and IB crew to bring "Meat of Choice" to the party.

I called Biscuit Pig in Oakland and left a message. I hope she comes out.

 

[Shaun Landry]

People on my porch

I got a ton of people left on my porch. Paul Killam. Barabara Scott. Mike Della Penna and his lady...Will. Zabs...

God. I got so much BBQ meat on my table now. And eggs. Lots of eggs.

More when I'm not drunk and stoned.

 

[Shaun Landry]

San Francisco Improv Festival Day Three

So Someone offered up my house for an after party for Saturday. Sure. Why not? I don't care. I had Place Pigalle's set up...but we just wanted to hang and be with each other in an environment where we could hear each other.

So the day was super laid back for all purposes. Will goes out to have crepes with a friend. Zabeth heads out to just wonder in the heat of the day. She asks me if I want anything. I say white big hoop earrings.

I stay home and get some sun on the porch for a bit and bring the phone out to field phone calls. Zabeth comes back. No earring luck. Will picks her up and they head off to see seals.

Email from Sunny SPF7. It was sorta paranoid and left me laughing. I just decide to walk across the street in the eve after the show.

Curly arrives after his class and reads me his notes. All the notes seemed a lot like an improv to sketch comedy class. The Game.

I have not heard The Game used in a very long time. But then again around these parts its called The Gift. Same stuff. Different Name.

He hangs out before he needs to go to The Eureka and we all head out when Will and Zabs pick Hans and I up to go to Buy stuff for the party and go to the Buriel Clay.

Off to Safeway. I buy ribs and hamburger meat. Zabs gets chips. We grab ice for the beer (since we were there. We worked out a deal with the guys on the corner of Fulton and Filmore to stock up on ice)...and off to the theater

I wear one long black velour cocktail dress glove with the black dress. I also put on some black stockings. TFM got there pretty late. People are getting into that groove.

Then for some reason I walk outside. There are people on the stage...the door is open. Noone has called house open...

And there are people just in the theater.

What the flying hell is *going on* I go out and tell the gang that house is open on the stage. Steve goes out and does not tell the people already sitting to leave? But very casually pumps that the art gallery is open

I'm curt with Hans in fornt of Moronlife and D. I don't yell at anyone at this point but Hans. Because Hans honestly should know house protocol.

I head back and have a smoke with Miss. B. Steve is now officially running front of house and calling minutes. Good. Back on track. The house has been strong and consistant all weekend. I thank god for that. This house also had less comps. THIS makes me happy that I can pay the ensembles.

But its sorta a wierd vibe house. And they were not into the Shaun Landry groove:

Me: (all sassy) Are you wonderful people ready for father's day?!?:
The Audience: (unplussed and deadpan) uh huh.
Me: (stunned by the response. Now playing with the idea nobody CARES about father's day) Come on. Who does not like black socks?

That got a laugh.

Both shows were really good. The house was into it pretty hard. The intermission speech I did my little question win a Beer T-Shirt thing.

The question: What Second City Improviser was 1) In a duo ensemble that also had its own T.V. Show in the Sixties 2) Has a theater in LA named after him in Memorium 3) Is more known as being the Dorritos guy of the 70's

Someone screamed out Tony Randall. Someone screamed out Nipsey Russell. I swear to god. SOMEONE SCREAMED OUT NIPSEY RUSSELL.

Finally I said: Here is a clue: Burns and....

The whole audience screamed out ALLEN. That is a true testiment to the skills of George and Gracie. Considering they were around since vaudeville and this young audience remembers them. BUT ITS STILL WRONG!

I finally give up and say. So does TFM. They scream it from the back. I tell them they can't have the T-Shirt. I finally say: HOW TALL AM I.

Someone screams "5'8". I say "Close enough. Here is the shirt" and chuck it out to her with a big applause.

I finally give out two glasses to John. This man has come to the festival three years straight. He is a senior citizen who each year brings a posse of his friends to come and see TFM. He is a dear old man. He is strange. But a dear old man who loves improv. I introduce TFM after saying "This man has been coming here for three years straight and there is a reason. Ladies and gentleman..."

Both shows were great. more pix and video was taken.

======================================================
I bolt back to the house in Moronlife's sporty sports car trying to beat Amos Glick. We did. I start prepping everything. I just did not put much thought into the idea of how long ribs take to really cook. But I cook this anyway. I pat the burgers out and Take out Steve's Sausage he brought.

Then the meat arrives. Lots and Lots of meat. I think Regina was the only one who actually brought a vegetable. The rest of it was dead meat overkill.

But it was so much fun. Mike and his lady chilling with Barbara in the back. The Man this Blog is really about telling me to get fans and a Chimmney grill. Ms. D dancing with Zabs. A table of improvisers talking about theater.

Such good times. We got real drunk. And real stoned. By the end of it all it was me and Zabs in the front room singing Karoke from the television on Comcast. It made us snicker and laugh.

God. what a great weekend. Great improv. good people. Great staff. Money for all the ensembles.

And we are way above the black. That is because of the sponsor. God. I went to sleep with no hives at all.

========================================================

This morning I get up at 10. Pretty good for the wear. We finish up the financials and the finals and count out the money we have in hand. We can physically pay out ImprovBoston so they leave with their entire bank in Cash, instead of giving them a check with money to spare. I have already told TFM their payment is coming via check...it is just easier to give our out of town ensembles money when they leave (so they have that with them) and give the in-town ensembles a check for record keeping. The turnover of the monies is pretty quick (that GOD for the setup with both ticket agents) and Hans who is going the accounting for this can get the money out to the local troups the following week.

Thank god Hans works in accounting. Thank god for him.

I got a quasi naked day today.
I chill Monday and Tuesday and it starts again by Wednesday. Thursday at the most.

It is really a lazy festival if everything goes well. If everything is set up beforehand? All the staff needs to do is walk in the theater and that's it.

God. I'm so happy.

 

[Shaun Landry]

Brillstein and Grey's Bitch

...and if I'm going to be a bitch for anyone? Yeah. They fall in the top ten.

Initially I got a call from Paramount wanting to see J&J and Un-Scripted. That was cool enough for me.

This afternoon I got an email from Mr. M. from Brillstein and Grey Entertainment.

Okay. I know who they are. They are a monster entertainment agency and reps for folks like Cox and Pitt and Sandler.

But I'm always weary. So, so weary after the whole frickin agent thang from a few months back. So this time I research if this guy is real. I call up B&G in Hollywood. The receptionist picks up

Her: Brillstein and Grey Entertainment?
Me: (all causual) Hey. My I speak to Mr. M?
Her: (happily) one moment...

And it goes to his voice mail. Okay. *This is not bullshit*

I leave a nice message. He calls me back. He is so super nice and pleasant. We talk about the festival and all the ensembles. He says "It is sure a long festival...we can only come for only one week"...

Then I hear me say it:

"We have professional videographer each week. You choose what week you want to come. All the other weeks I will make you a package with video of every ensemble and collect their personal headshots and resumes for you"

God. I have a professional videographer. I cannot believe this is happening. All of it.

Beer sponsors. Discounted Hotels, My man from Cal Shakes offering up places...Our professional photographer and videographer...

And now this. Getting all the ensembles and hosts a hopeful look see from Mammomth Brillstein and Grey.

I sent out an email to AJ to hook them up with Hotels...

Then a monster blast to all the ensembles.

Hans comes home with the IB/TFM/15/Revolving Master CD from Fred. He got the email and said "I just told someone that we have been scouted more than Webloes"

That made me laugh. A simple email back form Moronlife just says "God Fucking Love you"

Dude. All I do lately is just answer emails and pick up the phone. I didn't even ask how in the world he found us.

I'm just glad Mr. M. Did.

 

[Shaun Landry]

Steak in Berkeley.

You see it is unpopular...because Bekeley is known for being all vegan and veggies people.

But besides all that? The Weekly Review cam out and I can't be happier:

http://sfweekly.com/Issues/2006-06-21/culture/stagecap2.html

I just don't know when I'm going to stop sending emails thanking Will Zabs and the TFM guys. This might be the last one. Unless an audience members comes from nowhere and says: "Here is a go-zillion dollars. I saw TFM and IB the first week"

I wish that would be the case. Because the only one making out like bandits right now in terms of money? Is the theater space I'm in.

Couldn't sleep last night...so I cleaned out my Outlook. Over the last eight months have collected over 900 emails about this festival in some form or another. I sorted all of those out and put them in a file...got rid of the junky junks...moved my personal stuff into a personal file and the other misc. Negroes/Climate Rental/SFIA stuff.

That wasted time till I finally got tired at six in the morning. I fell in bed and got up at 10. Four hours of sleep. I feel surprisingly good now. This morn I was awaken by the Ticket Service. They also do articles on theater on its site for its patrons.

I saw Brown Paper tickets on the phone and thought it was Sten. Instead it was a very nice lady in Seattle who asked if I wanted to do an interview for the website on improv. Sure.

So in bed still waking up. I talk about improv. All the companies. Different formats. What makes it exciting. They are located out of Seattle so I pumped Jet City, Northwest GOGA, Seattle Theatersports and the Seattle Improv Festival.

That is how I woke up. Talking about improv to some lady in Seattle. Sometimes I can't believe my luck of late.

It's like wake and bake. Wake and rap improv before you even get out of bed.

My inbox right now one email from Jane from The Chronicle. I guess they want to do an article on OBN. Sure. Fine by me black ass.

during the night I also sent out emails to set out some small fire stuff. An email to The Bros. They are bringing up a baseball team. So I need to find them a bit of billeted housiing.

An email to new lady. It turns out that she is getting married before our show. That is super awesome! But of course I hear the rat of tat tat of the same stuff different day response of "Will she be ready for the festival with all this happening?"

Here is the thing. I tried to put it in the context of getting married and having a job and it being *them*

How would you feel if you announced at your job that you were getting married (or you mom just died) and you needed to take the week off for the vacation (or funeral) and your boss said "That's great" Then turned around later and said "This is going to be a problem...you might not have a job when you get back"

I'm just saying. I try to put everything in the perspective of the actor who is saying this to me...and apply it to their lives and how they would feel.

You know: How would you feel if you had a theater company and you always wondered if I was going to actually be at the theater or at rehearsal on time to the point where you and all of the members around you wonder if the excuse for being late today is either the traffic, lack of money or blaming some family member...

Or...What would you do if I got really drunk on the road and got into a fight with your sponsor, then took a big hurl in the shower because they thought it was the toilet at a festival and I was a part of your company?

It is those things that I turn back around when someone does something whacked and a company member goes "You are being mean"

And when a company member wants me to do something whacked when they are being unthinking and possibly unitentionally mean.

So we rehearse tonight. That is once I get to the theater and start dropping off stuff to the theater.

It's Wednesday. Break is over.

 

[Shaun Landry]

Goddamn Max

I don't know who you are...nor do I really care.

But I'm with all the posters here...I'm of that Journalism and Theater Major ilk who say:

God love you man (lady). You just gave about a 300 dollar PR session in one posting.

*what are you thinking man! What happened to you Maxie!*

Teach em Maxie. Teach em.

 

[Shaun Landry]

San Francisco Improv Festival Day Four

Thursday was just intense. More beer. New install of tech stuff. Uploading the Week Two Trailer onto Myspace and Youtube...then burning it for the opening of the show.

The house is sorta filled with improvisers by 2ish. Julie from Massive arrives into town first and we hang all morning and afternoon. A beautiful woman who is half black and Half Puerto Rican. We head to The Brain Wash for food and there is Justin from SPF7 and his friend from New York who was here last year doing their sketch and improv at The SF Fringe. So two black chick pull up next to the two white improv dudes. and its an improv lunch. With computers.

Moronlife arrives. and chills with us. He lets me listen to this guy name Raab who has this hilarious take on Whoops I Did it Again.

Zippy arrives with his bike. He's going to be at the show. He hangs with us. Hans arrives home and him and Julie walk to the theater while I grab all the beer left by the sponsors at my place and precariously stack it in the well of the sporty sports car of Moronlife.

Good Times. Warm Beautiful day in San Francisco. In a meee ya Da! Filled with beer. The brothers on the street as we drove by screamed to Moronlife: DAAAAYM! Him in this car with me and a cases of beer. Probably thought he was the luckiest man in the world.

We get to the theater and put in the projector that Magic Absinthe boy let use.

Then it just gets all blurry from there. Just mostly images and thoughts:

14 year old kid with parents who acts like Woody Allen. As soon as I gave him shit? I could not get rid of him:

Him: (from nowhere) Are you feigning being pleasant?
Me: No. Are you feigning being obnoxious?

Kid: The kids in my school pretty much suck then I found the theater dept.
Me: (grinning)...of course you did.

So brand new. To him anyway. Like this was the first time this has ever happened to a person. So brand new to him. So funny. Welcome to my world babydoll.

Joe/Jay and Justing Host. Joe comes in and he is wearing a big tie. A big one. like the one you wear when you are twelve. It makes me laugh. His hair was wind blown up. He looked like a Breakfast Club kid.

But damn they are good hosts.

I stay out in the front to watch house tonight. I did not see Massive Creativity (the gaggle of women who has come fro Texas who are very lovely ladies)

Somewhere in the middle of the show Joe/Jay and Justin came out and said that MC wants to jam with 15 minutes.

Cool by me. Just have them work it out. and we will do about 10ish 15ish or so.

I watch the second act while hans clears out the front of house. Joe/Jay and Justin are just a great team together on stage. They are very very funny men.

They leave the stage and 15-Minutes comes on. Their company member that I have never seen before is a fucking funny man. For now on he is named "Ms. Thang"

Joe/Jay and Justing and I sit on the floor in the back. I have been asked to jam. along with Zippy.

After the show the jam happens. I'm so fucking off point. I'm not funny. I'm not relevant. I suck my own ass.

Yuk. But there were some awesome improv coming out of everyone else. And one move that was just as ballsy as any woman can do onstage.

And we have the pictures of it. I really hope we put the Woody Allen 14 year old directly into manhood.

We head out to Pigalles. No beer set up. I go apeshit on the poor bartender. So he hooks me up. Really tight. So tight I now feel bad.

Justin and Ms. Mariah head out with Julie and "Amber Night" and drop them off in the Mission to get a taco and get on bart...and we head to the Elbow Room to Salsa Night.

Have not been on the Second Floor of the Elbow Room for almost six years. When I did coat check on one of the first two weeks living here. The coat check person did not look to happy. Considering it was hot.

Mariah dances with this guy who is a friend. Justin and I watch against the wall. After some encouragement of booze we head out to dance.

You know? Little man Justin knows how to dance. Just another pile of accomplishments this man can do.

For anyone who knows me? YOUTH IS WASTED ON THE WRONG PEOPLE.

We dance and get drunk. We go close by My and Justin's place and eat at the 24 hour burger joynt. Miss M and Justin are just adorable. That sort of young wonderful that has me teary even thinking about watching them eat fries and drawing pictures with the ketcup on the wax paper...or them just riffing off each other. And the continual laughter and happiness.

I'm teary just remembering. I really want children. No. Its not a non sequitor. It is in direct proportion to watching them interact.

I want children like this. And I think I missed the boat.

I get dropped home. The food I ate helped me coma out.
I woke up still drunk. To the phone call that my Beer Sponsor is around the corner.

How appropriate

Jay Starr and Justin Lamb Host The San Francisco Improv Festival 2006 Week Two

Pictures from last night on Flickr.

 

[Shaun Landry]

San Francisco Improv Festival Day Five

Hans came home early. The reason why he did not stay out was becuase he was in some massive headache pain. I really thought he was angry at me.

I can't tell anymore. I just can't tell anymore. Mainly because he does not tell me really what exactly is *wrong*

Be it as it may he gets home and says "I'm getting a weird vibe about the day"

It is the first time ever that he has ever made a prediction like this. He is not the kind of person who does this kind of thing. For anyone who knows Hans? He belives in the afterlife...and predicition stuff as much as he believes that pig are going to fly out of people's butts.

So it threw me for a loop.

We get to the theater early. The theater's tech person is nowhere to be found and the security guard had no idea where he went to. This gives me a LOT of faith in paying money for security and BC staff tech. The actual tech person to "Sit and do fucking nothing" shows his ass up at 7 mother fucking 45. I really hope they don't think I'm paying for three hours of work.

Zippy arrives late. Just in case? I dressed for the show just to host. By the time he arrived? I just laughed.

Some of the ladies show up early to the theater. They have biked to Saulsilito. And the young redhead girl was all sunburnt. On the crack of her ass and all down through her cleavage. She is also the one who gave a legitimate looking BJ onstage to Ben from 15-Minutes. With his wife in the audience. She asks if there are a lot of Hispanics in San Francisco. I say yes. There are a lot of Latinas and Latinos in San Francisco. Along with a large Cuban population. She informs me that she lives around a lot of Hispanics.

...I smile and find something to do.

For some reason...Hans has lost all sense of reading and comprehension. He is also coming to me every other three second asking me what is a comp and what is paid when it is listed on the reservation list. He actually ends up getting scammed by a guy who got in for free who claimed he was part of our Goldstar shit. Pisses me the fuck off. That is of course until the show starts.

Zippy does his bit from last year with his pants being taken off. This year (by Hans advise from last year) he wore boxers instead of tigt fitting undies showing the full on outline of "His Love"

They were spongebob boxers. They were too small for him. Dan Burt was fortunate enough to be sitting in the audience and caught of Glimpse of Zippy's Ballsack.

Of course this does not top one of the first images our 50 seat house got of Massive Creativity giving a full on for real masterbation excerise.

This is NOT a meteophor (improvisers masterbating onstage). No. It was the young redheaded girl. Masterbating onstage. That cleared out three people from the audience then and there into the lobby with "What in the world is that?"

Hans was right. It is going to be a weird night.

Intermission and a really unhappy looking audience. I tell *staff* and *actors* to take comments out of earshot of audience members, who had their own comments. We lost audience. It was not good times. The only saving grace was they did not ask for a refund.

15-Minutes goes up. And they are working hard. Just a little too hard. I will give it to the boys (even with all the beer they drink before a show) they pull off a decent show. They were working hard. At that point? I don't think there was anything to save that audience. Their minds were set.

If any of them come back to see The San Francisco Improv Festival after Friday Night? I will be stunned. In my own little Producer hell. What can you do? It's improv...right?

...riiiiiight.....

We jam at the end of the show. Zippy announces. IT'S A CAGEMATCH! It is not over till one of the improvisers starts to cry!

I pray to the gods above that Young Redhead does not do something like anally rape someone onstage while giving a reacharound. It turned out that literally NOONE went out to do much. The audience and half the actors wanted to get out of the theater. About an hour ago.

I'm leaving the theater to help and heard one audience member proclaim. "Well that wasn't very good"....

I'm in my own hell. My stomach starts cramping. I go into the bathroom and it turns out that during this night my period has started on me.

I'm in hell.

I go up to Yoga boy and said "I need a drink. NOW." He drove me and hans to the drinks.

We head out to Place Pigalle's. I buy a BOTTLE of red wine with four glasses and serve up myself, hans, yoga boy and Amber Night. We all fold into a couch I BECOME the couch. Really. There was no difference between me and that couch. On the couch. With my cramps, wine and smokes. Hans feels better this night and starts lap dancing me on the couch. Which was the funniest thing all night. We decide to have another BBQ at my home tomorrow night. Cool wit that.

I head out after the wine is done. Hans and I go to BK...grab some food and bring it home. He massages my sides I take three Alieves and fall out.

Seven in the morning the fucking phone rings. Some dumb ass who wants to know the cross streets to the Buriel Clay. He says he is at a hotel. As though he cannot ask the FUCKING CONCIERGE at the hotel...the dumb ass. He then asks what the age limit of the show is.

I said "R. There is a distinct possibility of simulated sex onstage during these performances" Generally I have been saying PG13

I told this man "R". Because he is a dumbass calling at seven in the morning.

...and because it is possibly the case.

 

[Shaun Landry]

San Francisco Improv Festival Day Six

So much better.

SO. Much better.

For all purposes The energy was high, the audience was pumped. Our videogrpaher was there and the world was shiny.

Redhead girl had to get one last "Give some guy head" parting shot onstage. Moronlife missed that picture (stating on his flickr space that the head shot is possibly 'The Nastiest picture I have ever taken)...

...but our videographer got it. I hope Brillstein and Grey Entertainment enjoys her work.

We had our party at the house. I think this is becoming the norm of this festival to basically end at my house. This party was fun and our videographer came and took some video of that. Hans is putting together a documentary of the entire thing.

The ensembles have been making boo cash. And the Buriel Clay is making out like bandits. *major bandits*

It is really odd but just damn pleasant. Last two years it was all catchers catch can on the audience, with a consistantly rising audience each night. This year it has been basically consistant each night with a starting house of at least 35-40 a night. I was pretty damned stunned by last night considering it is San Francisco Christmas here.

That would be Gay Pride Weekend. This puts me at ease. A lot.

There is also this nice groove that we have gotten into regarding accounting.

Show Night
Morning accounting
Show Night
Morning Accounting
Show night
Morning Accounting and deposit...email to Buriel Clay and Lawyer...Enter info into ticket service account.

It's kinda neat because I can track the demographics of the show along with our tickets sales. Hans has personally done female and male headcount and a general on Minority count for promotion, donations and sponsors for next year.

Next year? Looking at getting fully monetarily produced by a sponsor. That is the goal. Some seem this is way early to be thinking about this.

Nope. I figure you start setting this up Now.

It's keeps me busy when the shows are not going on.

Just finished all the newsletter and updating of websites...and new pictures are up on flickr. I now rest. And watch out my window as the balloon people and drag queens head off to perspective after gay parade parties.

Loving San Francisco. I'm hoping people who are coming here dig it as much as I do.

 

[Shaun Landry]

My Love is Endless for Ms. Jill Bernard.

That is really all I have to say. It is endless.

 

[Shaun Landry]

2006 Does Not Suck My Balls

What the hell is going on? It seems like this year just keeps getting better and better as it gets into the 7 month mark. I just wake up, pick up the phone and something incredible happens.

Maybe its from the horrible shit from last year. Like some big cosmic Karma payback. My last boob check was clear...the Festival is doing really well....beer stuff...sweet friends...

And a lot of professional attention.

Sitting in a blankey doing the tickets for J&J and Un-Scripted and the phone rings. The line pulls up The Chronicle. It is some photgrapher.

Him: May I speak to Shaun Landry?
Me: This is she.
Him. Hi. I'm some photographer. I have a photo shoot scheduled with you tomorrow with Oui Be Negroes.
Me: (verbally saying it) blink blink?
Him (laughing)
Me: So I guess a reporter is coming too? I'm all over it.

A while ago a got an email from a features article, who I guess has been wanting to do something on Oui Be Negroes since she saw the name of the company. She asked if we had any shows coming up and I told her our next show was part of The Festival and then in Santa Cruz for their improv Festival. I told her we have been rehearsing on Wednesdays and she was more than happy to come to a rehearsal anytime and talk to us.

That was last week. I had no idea that it would be happening so fast.

So Oui Be Negroes is getting a feature article in The San Francisco Chronicle.

...and I just took out my braids and is sporting this afro. great. Just great.

Where the hell is the cancer wig?

 

[Shaun Landry]

48 hour Film Festival.

I went with Moronlife, who I think is officially a close dear friend. Because he is officially the one who will come over...hang out with me...watch six feet under with me...

...and I don't need to do my hair, get off the couch or even feel like I have to entertain in any way shape or form..

I don't have to even say anything. We can just sit on the couch and just watch Television.

He bought the tickets. I bought the popcorn and first round of Drinks at Blondies. Ms. Dee show and she also has a bunch of brothers (black brothers) with her.

My god such good times. I run into people from Flash Family...and How we First Met....and BATS. My former sponsors of The Guardian where we chit chat and he is just lovely.

The films. Oh god the films were incredible. All made within a two day span. My faves? German B. Brecht. Expressionist Silent film and one piece that was just plain beautiful that ended in a collage of pictures.

And the improv documentary? Makes me happy. They are passing out stickers to get votes. BAD IMPROV STICKERS they are trying to pawn off as tattoos. People have them on their arms. I'm a litte cooler

That is how bad the sticker is. I put it there because I was wearing a sweater and if someone wanted to see it? I had to do that. Which Thought was cool.

The thing fell off the moment I got out of that seat.

Such good new friends and old ones. I ran into the man I was on set with on Rent from nowhere in the after bar and chatted with him.

Wild. It seems like I know way too many people. Because now it seems that I just run into niggas and they say "Hey Shaun"

And that is kinda wierd and scary to me. It should not be?

But it still is.

 

[Shaun Landry]

Blinding Flashing Bulbs.

That is what is was tonight. In a room with blinding flashing bulbs.

Rehearsing Improv.

.......................................................................................
This afternoon I went to the San Francisco School of Cosmetology to do something about my head before the photo shoot for The Chronicle. I get hooked up with a guy named Alan who did my relaxer before and another guy who conked my head like relaxing Ninjas. They then primped and preened my head to a shiny hip gloss.

I really like this place a lot. A shit load of product. All girly. Lots of work. I like my braids. I really don't have to do much once they are in.

I head home and get ready for rehearsal. The actual person doing the interview car broke down and she can't make it until next week. Hans and I get there at 7:15. Curly arrives early too at 7:20ish.

The photographer arrives on time at 7:40 ish. The ladies are not there yet. Great. He takes some shots of me and Curly doing bad Matrix Stuff.

Finally Ms. J arrives. Completely not dressed. It seems she either did not read the emails or did not get the emails or what. All I know is she is not in dress blacks and she is looking pretty disheveled.

Great. Just great. Thank god we are about the same size...and I have black clothes stored hanging in the Climate. I head over and give her my black sweater and I give her my black leather long jacket. Carlos (the photog) shoots some shots from the waist up to cover her blue jeans.

Ms. N is still not there. It is 8:10. Great. Just great. She arrives around 8:15 while we are on the roof doing some dirty couch shots and pictures with the background of The Bridge.

It's about 8:20 and everyone is there. Negroes. OF course.

We take some really cool shots on the roof. Carlos gives us thes flashes to hold and they come off really beautiful and pretty.

Downstairs to the Anon Salon Stage. We practice our opening with music while he is shooting us.

Then into the practice room. We are improvising. He has placed these flashes in this small room.

And they flashes are popping all over the place like papparazzi. To be blunt honest? It was really distracting for me It was like the place was on fire or something. It was odd. But, it was the best improv we have currently done with this ensemble.

I think I have an *audience* ensemble. The kind of ensemble who rises to teh occassion onstage and just can't seem to get it together in rehearsal.

The Book of Kevin. Funniest thing we have done to date.

Carlos says we can use the shots and we just have to ask the Chronicle for use of any others which should not be a problem.

He splits and we continue to rehearse. The cast left smiling and laughing. Its good. It's really good.

Next week is all about entertaining Jane. In the meantime? I wait for Merkin and Role Play to arrive to the house to crash.

 

[Shaun Landry]

San Francisco Improv Festival Day Seven

Man. What a fucking night.

Merkin and Role play fucking SLAMMING THAT SHIT HOME BOY.

Hardcore. Punk Rock. Fucking Improv. Applause after each fucking scene.

Fucking Beatbox Battle. With Chairs. Merkin after its all done looking at Moronlife taking pictures and says as cool as the fucking world:

"Did you get that"

Of fuck hell yea he did. We all did. Nigga Puhlease you are a rockstar right now.

Un-Scripted up next and they do You Bet Your Improviser (Housefull of Honkeys You Bet Your Honkey spin) and its big slick glossy fun and awesome.

Off to drink at Pigalles. This time they know what is going on and hook us up. We drink and smoke cigs and chill.

This morning Stashwick arrives. The boys and I go to my Ladies who lunch place and we yammer old days and old school. The class should be tight.

Tonight is all about Onion People. And a good damn show. And video.

Good times. My house is filled with some mass improv love.

Merkin on the Ab Lounge reading preacher
Stash and Role Play on the couch.
I'm in an eleven year old improv shirt. My favorite from all the festivals I have been to. Kansas City. I realized today?

It's eleven years old.

I have been doing improv for a very long time.

 

[Shaun Landry]

San Francisco Improv Festival Day Eight

Just an amazing day.

Spent the day with Stash, Merkin and Role Play. Sunny Justing Hosts.

I get to the theater the latest yet at around seven. I wanted to look nice. I take a long shower and do my hair. I throw on the Dashiki.

I'm front of house. Good times. A new photog comes tonight standing an incredible 6 foot 10 inches. This man is HUGE. I have never seen anyone that tall.

Ever.

Videographer shows. Yoga boy in full force. Onion people out the wang. We drink them free all night long. Justin just looking fantastic. He shaved before the show and is looking quite young and boyish.

He is probabaly, with no diss to any other host we have had? The best host of the festival. He is sweet. Charming. Funny. And when he throw on pretty much all of the schwag we had to sell

(Un-scipted shirt and bag with wrist band. J&J pins...and beer glasses)....he sold more beer since and stuff since the first week.

He is just a really good host.

Merkin and Role Play rock *again* with sustained laughs and applause. They are just winning over audiences left, right and center.

Un-scripted kills tonight and are wonderful.

We then jam. The ensembles, Justin, Yoga Boy and myself. (this shot we are all behind the scrim being seals and sharks. Yes. Water Spray was also done with Jennifer and a water bottle)

Stash arrives after seeing his friend he has not seen in 15 years. I can hear that laugh from the audience when I perform.

Todd Stashwick? He is hot. Only because he makes me feel shiny and pretty and funny. That is classic Chicago Improviser. God love that sexy green eyed man. I think everyone who comes a mile of this man gets a massive hard on for him. And well deserved.

We go out to Pigalle's and I grab a bottle. The audience comes with us after the jam. Justin in the corner chatting up a lady who does corporate stuff. Everyone mingling. Me and Stash smoking and just being...well...me and Stash.

We walk back to the perspective houses. Stash is staying across the street with SPF7. We order pizza. We drink beer. Joe/jay comes over and chit chats. My next door neighbor gets me stoned and hangs.

And we talk of theater. Of Growtosky. Of Brecht. Of alternative theater. Of our theater lives.

It is wonderful times full of joy and love and smart and witty and happiness.

I cannot wait for the Beast Class and Mayfly.

The cast consists of:

Me, Merkin, Role Play, Justin and Un-Scripted Christian. Stash showed me this wonderful Ipod of the opening and when he told me that he has the DVD with him...

And we have the projection screen?

....fucking punk rock people.

If anyone wants to come by and see me not in Negro blacks? Please do. Because this shit is ON for tomorrow night.

We are going all the way to eleven.

Then the BBQ.

And my love Ms. Bernard will hopefully be there.





Did I mention how silly happy I have been lately.

Fuck. It's all good.