The Dirk Diggler Story

[Jarky]

Citizen Pain

"In Italy for thirty years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and The Renissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love; the had five hundred years of democrasy and peace and what did they produce? The cuckoo clock."
- Orson Welles

God bless you, Orson Welles. Your crazy ideas, elderly love-handles, and never settling for the 68th edit of your own films. You inspired me to become a fat, depressed filmmaker who pisses people off in the process. But in all honesty, you're right about what you said up there. I can only hope you pass on your knowledge without touch of evil.

Aahh...can anyone be happy with their art? No -- the answer is no. Forget all those rap videos. Forget the opening of your favorite sitcom. You want to make something work, you've got to fight for it.

All artists are tortured. Don't believe me, just read your own journal. The thing is it is okay. Austin once told me that he always had a better show when he needed to get something off of his chest that had been annoying him all day. It was his release. Maybe there is a certain equalibrium in those who create art. You can find your happiness outside the artistic realm or take your chances during the process. Perhaps that's just bullshit. I don't know. But I do know that those who act, write, sing, make music, draw, paint, dance, or...improv, for that matter will always have to deal with not only the triumphs and defeats of regular life, but the ones on the stage (whatever stage that might be).

As I wrote in my last entry, it's been a tough week. Add Valentine's Day to rub it in that I had to work and had no date...I felt the breaking point more than once. But out of all my preoccupations came a very well crafted night of improv. Granted, it was all short form, but a good show is a good show. I tried out a new character during "Bad Advice" that was actually based on people from my mom's side of the family for once. Angry Germans. That's all I can say. I felt bad about no long form, but worse that Scott had a bad show. One of the worst he said. I'll admit it wasn't his best show. He tried something and it didn't work. Scott has an amazing sense of humor that heavily relies on pop culture references. Trying it in Salt Lake is hard enough, but it's an almost impossible sell in Ogden (no offense to my northern neighbors who aren't the Canadians). I just told him to look forward to next week. That's when OTW SLC becomes official with tons of advertising, different locations to perform in, and the opening of our new place. On-stage, his week wasn't the best. Off-stage, things should...should...in theory...which maybe bullshit yet have some validity...an awesome week. It will be. Scott has worked his butt off to get this thing going with me. I know our efforts will pay off.

The truth is everybody has strife to deal with. People in the artistic realm just have a whole lot. Between real emotion and fake emotion. Between dealing with conflicts and keeping them alive it's a lot. But what kind of comedy or art would be worth bringing out if it didn't mirror actual frustrations. People need that. My first screenplay I ever wrote was about two LDS missionaries who beat up people. Actually, that's just the line I used to have people listen to the rest of the story. It's more about how humans need conflict to keep tour world spinning. Too much can bring it tumbling down, but just enough can keep us...exactly where we are now...or hopefully moving up.

Like many situations surrounding improv, I don't know. It's a give or take concept. I'm giving this to you. Take it if you want. I have for year and I'm one of the most pathetic people I know. :slurp:

 

[Jarky]

Old Photographs

"Growing up around the eastern United States you get exposed to a lot of supermarket chains. One imparticular was called the Price Chopper, only the one near me had the light bulb for the 'e' blow out. For years to come I was afraid to enter the store with a gigantic lumberjack wielding an ax for a place named The Pric Chopper."
- Augusten Burroghs, Dry

It's funny to look back on all the misfortune in life. Most of the memories you have stored away in your noggin have becomes so diluted over the years that you find yourself placing them in categories, specially two: painful and painfully funny. I hate watching old movies of myself -- to hear my voice at such a young age compared to what it is now. The film captures it all. And you would think that being a movie buff I am more inclined to pop in a video cassette label: JAKE AT THE BEACH, '92 than shift through old photographs. Truth be told, I prefer the pictures. After all, I'm told they speak a thousand words. I'm in the middle of moving at the moment and happened across my old photographs.

My elementary school daze.
My bar mitzvah.
And of course, all the times I ascended to the stage.

I love pictures because I get to create the context around them. I remember TB1 there is a picture of Jady and I hugging after the show. I go back a few weeks and remember we had a fight that put our friendship on the shelf for a short amount of time. Yet, I don't think about the arguement. Whenever I see this picture (sorry I can't paste it on here -- I don't have digital film or a scanner) I get to think about what a great show I had, what an amazing even the whole thing was, and how special the people around me were at the time.

I can't wait for Heather to get me the pictures from last Saturday. I want to look back on them a few years from now when OTW SLC is standing on its own and remember our five person audience. Our two person workshop. Pathetic, yes, but also a chance to move up and past that. Scott showed me some of his pictures from growing up in California. A few set me back. I couldn't believe some of the images were of my friend I currently know. I guess you can go a long way and not realize it. I'm not unhappy with the show. It was a pretty solid Harold and some okay short form. I'm glad we didn't have a bigger audience, to tell you the truth, because I know we can do better. Maybe the size of the audience detoured the show.

Does art reflect life or does life reflect art? You tell me.

This week I have high hopes. I'm all over the place again -- the return of ubiquitious boy!!! A local high school (not mine, thank god) bought the rights to five of my plays and are producing them Friday, Saturday, and Monday. Getting myself out there is important so the more the better. Plus, this drama department is full of amazingly talented people. I'm sure they'll do a good job and give me an opportunity to work out some problems in the plays that have never seen the light of day. And then OTW SLC is up at the University of Utah. We should have a good show that night. Of course, we'll keep you updated on that.

Now that I think about it, I guess this journal serves as the ultimate panoramic picture for improv. I'll have to print it one day, store it in a cardboard box, and the next time I move read through it just to think about how far I've come...and how much more I really have to go.

 

[Jarky]

Fargo, ND

"I'm gonna...I'm gonna go home and, and bite my pillow!"
- Waiting For Guffman

Damn, you, Utah weather! DAMN YOU TO HELL!

Well, what was supposed to be a big night, with a big crowd turned out to be a friend in the freezing cold wood chipper. Because of the horrible weather we only had about 10 people in the audience for a good show. It's weird how you can play off of the audience, but how the audience can also play off of each other. It's easier to laugh at something off-color when you're another face in the crowd. In an empty theater with only a few people around, you laugh at something, we know it's you.

I really think we could have hooked people in that night. Stupid blizzard. All those people...staying inside their nice warm houses...with the people they love...biting their pillows for a number of reasons. Oh, how the gods can play such cruel tricks on the peasents of comedy.

Well, this week we finally open at our permanent location. People need to come to us now (I don't know if that's a good thing or not, but at least they know...or will know). N.A.R. is our special guest this week and JoKyR and Jesster plays with us next week. No word yet if we can get the space for workshops, but that would be ideal. I don't want to charge for classes, right now I just want an audience.

I see why people like Chicago: going to an improv show is staying at a nice warm home. Going to Chicago feels in many ways like going to Mecca.

You can learn so much and take so much home with you. I wish that kind of mentality existed here, because if it did I know we would have had an audience that night. But I'm not going to blame the people of Utah. I just want to teach them that it's okay to throw caution to the wind (literally) for Jazz games and for improv shows. Spring and summer are coming. Things are always better during those seasons. I sure hope so.

 

[Jarky]

Boxed Wine

"Champagne for my real friends. And real pain for my sham ones."
- David Benioff, 25th Hour

A box of Yellow Tail Chardonnay sits on the bed next to me. Right now my family and I are in the process of moving. For once in their lives, my parents are not only going through the old junk in the basement, but they're THROWING OLD CRAP OUT! Everything except this box of wine that's been collecting dust bunnies for the past three and half years we've spent in this house. Looking at this box of cheap, bad wine I can't help but relate it back to my weekend. Only thing was that my weekend turned out to be A-OK.

Friday was spent with my friend Justin whom I rarely see nowadays. He's still a newbie at sushi so I pushed him a little further on Friday and that was good. All the times I think of college and my career ahead of me, it always seems so planned out. Even so, it's nothing compared to Justin. He's planning on going to community college for a semester next year, going on his mission, coming back to do an ROTC, join the Navy, get his pilots license, major in law, join the Marines, et cetera, et cetera. I couldn't tell you every detail, frankly, because the second he told me one thing it was outdone by the next. He's even got his wife-to-be's social future planned out. In a way, it makes me feel good that I'm leaving some room for imagination with what I'm doing. I couldn't see the exact details of my life 5 years from now and to tell you the truth, I don't wish to.

Saturday turned out well, uh, as well. Most of the day was spent packing up more things and getting ready to ship out. Later that night though gave me new hope that change is good. Our new space at The Center Theatre is awesome. Really, it's so ideal for improv. We need people just to know that we're there and think it will really take off. I was in charge of emceeing and helping my friend Julia learn the technical aspects of running a show. She's so good though that I want to get her on stage soon and not just have her run sound. N.A.R. did a fabulous job -- Calvin was dead on; Aidan supported to the max; and it was just great to see Adam and Steve playing off one another again. One of OTW SLC's players didn't show up so I added player to the "To Do" list that night. It wasn't a great performance because I had other things on my mind. We did an Armando. Originally I was supposed to only be an Armando, but I decided to join the scenes as well. Not the best idea, but I'm not getting down on myself because I was trying to make everything perfect. It was great seeing Ben, Scott, Heather, and this guy from Mixed Company, Craig, all play together. We only had four paying audience members and the rest were improv performers of the night. I think once the audience grows, then the feedback will grow, and then the improv will grow stronger. Both Scott and I went out to Down Town Dee's with our cast and crew as happy as could be.

Sunday, that was another pivotal day of change. You can sense spring coming. We had a good crowd at the restaurant that morning and sense on server decided not to show up (wha'happend?) the tips were good all around. It's the first Sunday in a while I haven't minded opening the door for people, waiting for them to crawl towards the exit, and just enjoy the beautiful weather outside. Even getting told that the girl I asked to prom couldn't go didn't phase me. Eh, what are you going to do? The only thing that I couldn't tell was a warning was The Sopranos season opener. I don't know if I should continue working at a restaurant that usually gets bad tippers if a guy like Paulie Walnuts comes in to dine. But, I'm a host, so I really don't have much to worry about.

Walnuts. That's a funny name.

Yeah, I guess when you look at it, boxed wine is still wine. It will do the trick of getting you smashed or dosing you off to night-night land. Sure, it sometimes sucks if you actually taste it. It's not the first choice of beverage on everyone's list. But it's better than no wine at all. So I'll make a toast to this weekend with a glass of Yellow Tail in my hand. Le'Chaim.

 

[Jarky]

Point A to Point B

"A house is just a bunch of stuff with a cover on it."
- George Carlin

After five years of living in a small, cramped, cheaply designed townhome, my family has a permanent residence. The smell of paint still lingers in all corners. The carpet is already soiled from chocolate milk. And the yard is slowly filling up with dog droppings that should be picked up by my brother, but I'm quite confident, won't be for a while. I haven't gotten paid to do that job for about 7 years yet I still find myself out there with a pooper-scooper and paper bag every week.

It's nice to have a home, huh?

Well, after all the hassles and hoops to jump through, it really is nice to have a place to be in. Scott and I are finding that out. The Center Theatre is working out great for us. Now all we need is people to come. One of the ways that we can do that is print new 2 for 1 tickets with the correct address on them. My boss and a couple of co-workers were going to see me perform last week, but couldn't find it because the coordinates were reversed. Oy...oy...oy. Nonetheless, I was still happy with the night. We had JoKyR and Jesster perform, which was awkwardly fun. These are two guys who know their improv and know it well, but for the life of me I don't know why they resort to crude scenes. We told them that we had no content rules, but still to keep it in moderation. Ryan (who is currently in town) was performing with OTW SLC that night and he asked them not to go overboard. Really, only two scenes went that direction and made some people uncomfortable. And at the same time they had some great scenes that didn't go down that path at all (my favorite being the one about coming up in the hobo ranks). Anyway, now we know we should be more specific in allowing people to have no content guidelines.

OTW SLC had a really interesting set. It was funny, deep, interesting, and honest. Larry had an amazing monologue about overcoming a personal obsticle. Ryan's improv took everyone to a new level. Heather did an amazing job of supporting the actions. Scott got down on himself, but had a great first scene with me to kick off the long form. Ryan and I actually had a scene in which we broke character because the scene we were in was very much like a short-play we had seen when I was in Chicago. Weird, but we all wanted honesty so how much more honest can you get.

An interesting observation I've noticed is that once you have a home, everyone wants to come, chill out for a while, and just see you. Troy had a party (kind of) at his house on Monday night. My favorite points in the evening were when Erin, Ben, Scott, Ryan, Lisa, and I were hanging out in the kitchen talking about nothing and when Ryan, Scott, and I went to Smith's for cigarettes, forgot to bring money, and tried push the censored wheel shopping carts out of the lot. It really did feel like old times, just like the show on Saturday. To make things even better, Jady just got in town last night. I'm going to her class up in Ogden in a few hours. And yes, Trolley Brawl 2 starts tomorrow night, with Lucky 5 performing on Sunday. I think the weirdest thing of all is the St. Patrick's Day is usually a very unlucky day for me (I don't know why). Right now, though, I feel great.

I have a nice home.
A bunch of my friends are in town and hanging out with me.
And the performances I am in are forever getting better.

Now, I know all say this and in a few weeks or so some problems will arise, but for the moment I am content. Content, but being aware of the ides of March. Whatever. Things are good for now.

 

[Jarky]

Trolley Brawl 2 -- The Resurrection

WARNING: THIS JOURNAL ENTRY IS LONG AND BABBLING. BEST NOT TO READ ALL AT ONCE.

"The unexamined life is not worth living."
- Socrates

Yes, we've made it to the point where I am quoting philosophers. It just feels like this past week has been the school of Athens. Plato and Aristotle pointing up or out. Theories exchanging. New ideas and people coming on to the scene. So much improv. So many accomplishments. So far from where this event stood last year. I have to give credit where it's due: Ryan and Jesse are the men for putting it all together. I'm still recovering from it all, but I'm glad that I have something to reflect on this past week or so. Socrates certainly knew what he was talking about. Too bad about the Hemlock incident and all.

I have to admit that the first night of Trolley Brawl 2 made me a little upset. I just knew that I wouldn't be performing that night, but once I got past the narcissim of it all I began to enjoy the evening. Watching a few people from Jady's superb class the previous day was fun because their eyes were just vexed to the stage.

N.A.R. started the evening off and I think most people's opinions were the same about their set -- a lot of potential that needs to be pushed past inhibition. Nonetheless, Steve's monologues made me laugh, as did his new hair do. Adam made some strong character choices. And Calvin just keeps getting better and better every time he steps out. I think once N.A.R. grows into their skin they'll have something really unique.

Next, all the questions about Quick Wit's mystery long form was answered. I was impressed, I'll be honest, by how well they accomplished something they seem to be very much against. My favorite part was when Jen Weeks, who is as awesome as everyone says she is, ripped Andrew's shirt. Props to Quick Wits. I'm sure they'll use'em.

My favorite long form of the evening came up next: Mixed Company. You could just see how much fun they were having up on stage. It was great to see people learning, growing, and building each other up all at once. Though it did get a little scrambled at times, I still thought Larry, Joe, Kyle, Carnell, and Djini put on a great show.

Finally, the true blue veterans JoKyR and Jesster finished up the night with their form. While Mixed Company put on my favorite overall long form of the night, Joe and Jesse had the most memorable scene. No witty line was delievered or set-up established, but it was a scene done without words. Most people within 30 seconds of a non-verbal scene would have broken the mold, but they kept with it, which I loved and admired them to do it.

The next day was a nice break of intense. Joe Beatty, Jady, Scott, Ryan and I all went to go see Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind, which I had a variety of different reactions to, but genuinelly enjoyed. It's still rattling around in my brain. Scott and I also had a rehersal for HomeBrew (a show between a gay man and a jew boy) with Ryan. Before the practice, Ryan told each of us to make something for the other person. His original intent was to have us exchange the gifts and then destroy the othe person's in an effort to prove the point of that's what it feels like to have someone shit on your idea on stage. Luckily, Ryan is a decent human being, changing his mind at the last minute because each gift Scott and I made was a work of art. His point had been driven home even without death and destruction. I'm really, really excited about this show with Scott on Saturday. I also had work that night which kept my mind off the fact that everyone else was enjoying their senior prom. So...yeah...that was that.

Saturday was by far my favorite day of the weekend. Both Scott and I took all of Ryan's classes (that is, the 2 of them). I needed a mental workout like that. I got to meet so many great people, new and old to improv, like Jeremiah, Jamiee (although I did meet her at Jady's class), Bryan, Dave, and the oh-my-God-aren't-they-awesome southerners of Off The Cuff. Tilt is a mad man, constantly quick and never stopping. TJ, who used to come to KYSOff workshops, has grown so much and wasn't affraid of honesty. And finally, Wendy, who just...I can't even explain how awesome she was. I didn't want her to leave and am still thinking about stealing her from her troupe. A lot of improv crushes were made that day, not to mention mannah from unscripted heaven eaten. It might take a while to digest, but I know it was delicious!

Sunday, work pretty much flew by. I didn't even feel tired like I normally do after working a 7 hour shift. I just couldn't wait to get on stage. One thing you should understand is that this night was a momentous occasion for me. Ever since I was a little kid going to see improv it was always at the Off-Broadway Theater. No matter how good OTW SLC gets, how good KYSOff was, or what new group pops up next, OBT remains the pioneer theatre for improv in Salt Lake. Just the fact that on a Sunday night in Salt Lake City I got the opportunity to perform 2 long forms with people I love, in a place I could only dream about performing in, for a great cause -- doing what you love and dream to do for a good cause (we got a little under $1,000 for Camp Hobe). The whole night was great. From walking around the block to clear my head to hanging out with my team in the back alley, it just blew my mind.

Laffender Ink. did a nice job. Heather took the chance to do a great monologue and Scott kept making strong choices that he stuck with. A few times it was hard to understand what someone was saying, yet it didn't matter because you could tell they weren't concerned with pleasing the audience. They just wanted a chance to show who they were and did a fine job at that.

The next team did a fabulous job and how can you not when you are TRiniBEN? I only got to see half of their set, but my God, what a job they did! When I was in Chicago Ryan took me to see Four Square. I instantly fell in love with the show so to see people you know doing justice to it...well...it's beautiful.

*Wipes tear from his eye*

And now, the moment of truth...

My team, Lucky 5 went out, but almost not. The music we had choosen came on to early and Erin just about flipped. Nearly everyone on my team went back stage to settle her down in one minute flat. She was good about it and didn't let it affect her on stage. The opener I created worked out really well. I tried to use a couple of things from Ryan's class and though they didn't go as well as I'd hoped, I'm starting to understand the concepts better. My favorite scene was with Joe Beatty, Jady, and I on an airplane. By the end of the first show, TRiniBEN had won, but we took second place. Erin went against Joe in rock/paper/scissors and won! We advanced to the second round.

Quick Wits had a tough job of trying to work the same magic they had on Thursday night. A few people joked that they'd just put on the same exact show. The format was based on 'Clue' and even though it was great in theory, they struggled. Thank God though that nobody was as serious that night as they are when they log on to utahimprov. We came out next and tried out hand at a Guacamole Sunrise. It was fun and exhausting all at once. My favorite seen was when Joe Beatty and Lisa hosted Entertainment Tonight with Jady, Erin, and myself being the random people or interviews. Still, it didn't compare to TRiniBEN. From eating maggots to flirting fish, it was pure brillance. And if you haven't read other people's journal entries from this past week, well, THEY WON!!!

A good time was had by all.

In my last response here, I mentioned I was worried about March turning ugly. It almost did. I was worried about see everyone and trying to do all the things people had planned during TB2, but I did it. What really got me down was that I could tell something was up with one of my friends, but on Sunday night we got a chance to talk by ourselves and it made me feel better to hear her problems. I know, it sounds weird, but when I know other people are getting things off their chests it makes me happier. Also, on Thursday night Joe Beatty beat my record of fitting 32 green grapes in his mouth at the same time. He got 33 and Troy fit about 25. It's harder than you think. :slurp:

Now that I reflect on it all, I wouldn't have it any other way. It feels right and I feel content with myself. The old times came, reminded me they'll never truly die, and that love, er, improv will keep us together. That doesn't mean though that I'm not looking forward to the next 365 days between now and Trolley Brawl 3. *Whew*

Whew, is right.

 

[Jarky]

Shorter and Better

"A dream is an answer to a question we haven't yet learned how to ask."
- Fox Mulder

Like so many things, I miss The X-Files. Yeah, it started to go downhill after David Duchovny left, but still was a hell of a lot more creative and innovative than most of the TV shows out there. I have a large pile of tapes filled up with episodes that I haven't watched for a while. The other night, not having any to do and nothing I enjoyed on the boob-tube, I decided to relapse into a world where the truth is out there.

Sometimes it takes a long, long, long time before you finally realize that it is possible to get.

This past weekend was amazing. I throw around adjectives and adverbs like they were confetti, but I seriously mean it now. What Scott and I have been working for with OTW SLC over the last six months finally produces what we'd been searching for...now...a year. 365 days ago (or close to it), Trolley Square Live closed it's doors. KYSOff was out on the street with no home and a dark future. And though I always knew my fellow improvisers and I would take the stage once again, I didn't think it would turn out like this. Better than I had expected.

We held our workshop that afternoon, which went pretty well. About 10 people or so, but some new faces. That I always enjoy. It's something different, if not better. While we were setting up the theatre, Scott and I both got separate calls from Jesse. He wished us the best of luck and to break a leg -- that, my friends, is why the man is the peniocal icon in Utah improv. He cares so much as to boost your spirits and send people your way. A great guy. Another thing that helped is that on Saturday we'd started our first step in gaining independence (in some ways) by purchasing our own lighting system. Not fully complete, but a start.

Now the show. Oh, the show! The show!

After the OTW cast arrived, Scott and I spent some time apart to prepare. I took a walk in the brisk Salt Lake air downtown. Upon returning, I saw legitimate customers showing up, paying their way to get in and see the show. We had half of the audience filled. Not bad. Not bad at all. Now, time for HomeBrew to make it's debut.

The music came up. Scott and I stepped on stage.

Scene after scene, report after report -- it was gold. We were great and kept on course the entire time. This was the first time the HomeBrew News format was put in front of an audience, but it worked. An original format created by two friend tearing the house down. Even when Scott accidentally knocked my glasses off and then crushed them under his feet as he exited the stage didn't bug me. We had a great show. Not only that, but the OTW SLC cast was great. Thank God for people like Laine, Nicol, Craig, Heather, and Troy. People who know how to work well and have fun. Maybe it was the performance high, but I loved their set. We all walked away with a fair payment and a sense of accomplishment. I know not every week will be like that, but those ones that happen every once in a while sure do help out.

Afterward, we called Ryan to tell him the good news. Figured he could appriciate something like that. He was happy for us. Hell, we were proud of ourselves. This was all followed by the ritualistic Dee's, coffee, talking, and so on. I had to leave early to get up for work, drive in a visual haze, and cut the evening short. But y'know, if I had let it go any longer it might have been spoiled and I sure didn't want that happening.

 

[Jarky]

The Passion of the Jew

"But you've got an unquenchable thirst for New York."
- U2

Ain't nothin' like a Jarky life cuz a Jarky life don't stop.

This past week didn't slow down. I mean at all. Wonderful and exciting things just kept popping up to join the party. Today was the first day I actually got to sleep in, catch up on some Z's. I wouldn't want last week to happen 52 times in a year, every year for the rest of my life...and at the same time, I'm enthralled that I lived it.

I came down off a pretty high improv vibe. HomeBrew did a great job so my spirits didn't feel like descending for landing any time soon. Maybe they should have -- if only for a moment -- so that I wouldn't burn myself out over the next seven days. The fact still remains that they didn't.

Thursday, I did not attend school. No, actually I went to Murray High School to compete in the Granite School District's one-act competition with, wouldn't y'know it?, The Zoo Story. Yes, the play that got banned at my school last November now represents Olympus High in the region 5 competition. Oh yeah, we just had to take out the gay parts...then everything is squeaky clean and real because gay people don't exist. :tsk: Actually, I've gotten over that part. It still pisses me off that most of the audiences in Salt Lake aren't mature enough to handle that kind of material, but that's neither here, nor there. No, the part I'm getting to which makes me upset is that I'm in an acting competition representing a school I don't particularly care for. See, I never started theatre classes and sought out acting methods to compete with other people to find out who was the best. In fact, that's the exact reason I stopped playing many sports, simply, because I'm not a competitive person. Theatre and acting is a cut-throat business as is so why add on the stress of awards. I also believe that's the reason I so much enjoy long form improv over short form. It's a collaborative effort amongst the people, ignoring no resource of people. And while I know short form shows are friendly competition, as was TB2 with long form, I say just eliminate the whole judgement factor in order to move on. BUT, all that aside, we took 1st place (which means we're going to have to do it again, which means I'm not going to get this 6 page monologue out of my head for another month) and I got the award for best actor. I have to admit it did not feel horrible. We even made our teacher cry, she thought it was that good. But the best thing I was about to receive was coming later in the day.

Once the we had performed The Zoo Story I rush home to get changed for work. That was pretty much useless because I only stayed at work for a little under two hours. It was...very...very...d-e-a-d. So I made my way home, opened the door, and advanced to the kitchen for something to eat when...what's this?...a package from NYU -- my top school for nearly four years now.

I'd been one of 33,500 people to apply. I'd also been one of about 5,000 in the entire school to be ACCEPTED TO TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS'S DRAMATIC WRITING PROGRAM IN THE FALL!!! Hell! YES! :jump: I was so excited. Everyone at my school has applied in-state, so they had already gotten their acceptance letters back. But all my work, all my efforts, all my time spent in drudgery and agony came through. My mom was beaming. We called my uncle and aunt who live in New York and they were amazed. My aunt even told me not to get my hopes up too much since it is such a competitive school (there we go again with competing). I called Jady the next day, who passed it on to Ryan, and I told my friends Kendra and Justin. All were very excited for me. The only one who seems a little in shock is my father. I know he's proud of me -- and usually it's his custom to show his pride -- but he doesn't seem as overwhelmed as everyone else. I really think he wants be to go to USC, which I'm still keeping open as an option even though I haven't heard from them. I'll give them until Wednesday. Besides, I have until May to make my final decision. Let's just say that as of now I'm moving to New York at the end of the summer.

Enter improv.

I had to go up to OTW Ogden on Friday. I make that sound more laborious that it really is. It was a fun. The reason I had to go up was to exchange a check for cash from the SLC site and the hard part was the drive up. Canyon winds swept over the valley with tremendous force. On the high way, a semi was pushed over, covering nearly all four lanes. Traffic was backed up from Centerville to Lagoon (which is a long stretch of asphalt if you're inching along at 10 mph). Luckily, I got off at Centerville and remember how to get on a side road that runs along the highway. Branches falling on cars, power outages, and roadside accidents aside, I made it up there (taking about an hour and a half, twice as long as it should have taken, but not nearly as long as if I had taken the highway). The show was descent, but not amazing. No long form up there any more, which I find sad. It feels like the last lingering part of Austin is fading from there. But it was a good show once we got past all the homophobic stuff. The people are good people and that's why I like going up there.

The next day all I wanted to do was sleep, but had to get up at 7:30 a.m. for a rehersal so that all the LDS kids could go watch Conference. I'm cool with it and all, but when it infringes on my right to sleep, then I shake my fist. In my room. With nobody looking. The rest of the time I didn't get much sleep either with NYU on my mind and people making run various errands. Finally I got a good hour in, had some lunch, and made my way over to the theatre. We had six people for the class, that was held outside and was lovely, including one new person. The rest of the day was spent eating M&M's, watching Futurama, and talking with Julia and Linden while we waited to get into the theatre. The show was very good, although we didn't make as much as we did last week. JoKyR and Jesster had a very good set, working well within the boundaries. They seemed to have fun and the audience picked up on that. OTW SLC had a great cast that proved their abilities on stage: Laine, Nicol, Joe Beatty, Ben, and Troy. Really fun, really high energy. I had people coming up to me afterwards saying they'll never see another short form show again, our space is boheminan and rocks, and that it played to the audience's intellegence. Even though I didn't perform, just stuck to managorial duties, that felt good.

And yesterday...well, between daylights savings, one of the servers receiving a condom as a tip, and kicking out five old Unitarian ladies for bad-mouthing the servers (this the 9th time they've done that)...uh, nothing much happened. I'm still beat from the shift yesterday, how about that? And all the events that took place not only yesterday, but in the past week have worn me down. Now all this writing and recalling those events have left me exhausted. I'm going back to bed. Although, I've never really been the type to sleep.

 

[Jarky]

The Professional

"Whatever happend to Gary Cooper, huh? The strong, silent type."
- Tony Soprano

I don't know if improv needs silent types. We're actors after all. Our job is to be outspoken and push the boundaries as far as they will go. As for strong most of us are. It takes a lot to get up in front of a bunch of strangers with the idea that you are funnier than everything else in the world. And yet, sometimes we're not as strong or professional as we think.

Not to say that last weekend sucked. No -- far from it. Our shows just keep getting better and better. I can't believe that we're finally showing results. No the biggest disappointment of the weekend was watching someone's ego get in the way of their judgement. I'm lucky to have Scott as a co-managers for many reasons, but I'm even luckier for having him be apart of another troupe that's not holding up like should. All the mistakes made in that troupe we can analyze to make sure they don't happen in ours, though this weekend could have turned very ugly if not for some precautions taken.

Before the show started Scott and I met with Laine, Craig, and Heather, installing them in the position that Scott calls "Consultants". It's good because they're not weighed down by the responsibilities of the troupe, yet have some power and influence to balance our management. I'm happy about that, even if it means more paper work for me, because it we'll make sure OTW SLC doesn't become a dictatorship.

Moving on to what could have been ugly. We had Laffender Ink. open up for us and did a great job considering the fact that they only had three people playing -- Scott, Heather, and Craig. We were supposed to have one more person, a man who's improv and company I enjoy, but who more often than not can take things personal when they are strictly business. Now, this is a man whom I have a great deal of respect for and knew that even if he didn't agree with the situation he'd stick through it before trying to change it. Well, twenty minutes before the show he bailed on me, Scott, and his entire team. I just find that completely uncalled for and egotistical, not to mention extremely unprofessional over a petty complaint he had against our rules.

Such is life.

Forget it. Laffender did a fine job and the OTW Cast (me, Erin, Lisa, Ben, and Laine) tore up the stage. Among the issue of professionalism we had four people walk out and two people (who lock up the place) misinformed about how long we leased the space, who then proceeded to try and shut the show down early. Everything we did, and by we I mean Scott, Julia, Heather, Craig, Lisa, Ben, Erin, Laine, and me, remained very professional. Nothing got out of hand, but it very easily could have. By far, our best show. Maybe for that reason alone.

Now we have two weeks off to break, re-group, and come out swinging. And trust me, they'll be plenty of issues to swing at.

 

[Jarky]

Not Improv

"Women will sleep with you if you write a bad book."
- Finding Forrester

Really? Maybe I shouldn't set my sights so high then. What would be the point of writing if it didn't get ya some in the end? Great, I'm already thinking an elite author.

Improv-wise: things are happening below the surface. You can't see them and you're not supposed to. Just give me about a week, results will ensue. Trust me. This down time is killing me, Scott is going nuts (understandably) over the play he's directing, and the looming sense of monotony hangs in the air. This is just a reminder that good stuff is yet to come. One of them being that Austin IS in fact coming into town about the third week in May. This is fabulous because I'll be done with the Shakespearian Festival, practically graduated, and Off The Wall will be back on it's feet. We even have a time for Austin to teach -- I can't wait. That being said, a little down time never killed any one.

Otherwise: Zoo Story is done. And with it's conclusion comes the Best Actor Award for State for me and the entire play being ranked in the top three plays of the year. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. I hate it, but still can't help to feel a little pride. I don't want to, but I do.

Scott's birthday was fun -- movies, karaoke, drinks, and good people. New experiences happened and questions answered. That's just for me to know and for you to never find out.

We took our press release photo last Saturday. I think they turned out well, although in most of them I look like, to quote Scott, "the retarded kid in the group." Everyone else got the idea we were supposed to look serious and I'm the sole person cracking a smile in the group. Whatever, it will be great when it comes out in two weeks.

I went to the Strokes concert on Monday. It was a lot a fun, but I've never had my ears ringing for so long after a concert. About two days! It's gone now, but it hurt like hell until Wednesday.

I know this entry doesn't seem consistent with my other ones. Really, no new improv news. I guess I just want to keep updates on the life of an improviser. Is that so wrong? :angel:

 

[Jarky]

Back and full of nothin'

"Don't fuck with me fellas. This ain't my first time at the rodeo."
- Mommie Dearest

Oh no! I've resorted relating my movie quotes solely to Hallmark Holidays. God, that was a badly structured sentence. Don't worry about the quotes -- this one just cracks me up. They'll be back on a more sincere level next time. I wish there were better news from Salty Lake Wobagon, but that's about it. Mother's Day and nothing else.

Unless, of course, you want to hear all the gory details? Nah, I didn't think so.

What? You do!? Why...? Oh, yeah. It would probably make me feel better about my life too if I were reading it outside of being me. Okay...I guess I will...if you really want me to.

Disappointment had eluded me for some time. It was like a crappy prize that everyone else got in their Frosted Flakes, but not me. I avoided it and just kept on munchin'. Then around Wednesday things started to go down hill. Now, what I'm about to say sounds pretty mundane. It's nothing I can't handle and will handle in time. But the impact of frustration hits hard when coming off of a losing streak hiatus. And now, the follow up to that sentence...

OTW SLC's press release was supposed to come out this week. The first paper to print it would be the City Weekly. Alas, they did not such printing. I held high hopes nonetheless for the Deseret News and SL Tribune. Come Friday, our picture and article should have been fresh toilet paper for a variety of household pets. Yet...nothing still. I'm sure that the papers do things there own way and who am I to judge if they are doing it right. It just that when you make an effort to get it done, set out a week in advance, use your own money at the post office that's three miles away, and you have to walk out of fear of your car blowing up...uh, well...you expect to see some results. All in all, I'm optomistic about this week.

Next we move to a not-improv update (saving the best for last and this right here ain't the best, missy): My drama teacher seems to have no sense of anything outside the realm of high school play productions. She understands that SHE gets paid to do this, but I do not. This has warpped her mind into thinking that A) she can show up a half hour late to rehearsal without pushing us behind schedule and B) she can keep us from attending other duties outside our little Shakespearian Festival. Such as work. Work that I get paid for. On Thursday, rehearsal was conducted within these two circumstances, not to mention that she brings her kids along to practice, which would be fine, except she allows them to run around the stage and hit the actors. Not fun. The best part about this festival, in my opinion, is that it has given me first hand experience with the curse of MacBeth. I play the former and during Thursday's practice, as I was walking down some stairs while saying my monologue, the stairs gave way. I slipped, did a complete front flip off the stairs, and almost had my eye taken out by my broad sword (okay, that's a little extreme, but the sword got pretty damn close). So now I reaffirm my geeky status in calling it, "The Scottish Play".

Alright, now the moment of truth. Improv. Improv. Improv. God, I thought you would be my saving grace. Can't win'em all, can ya? Sometimes it's impossible to win any if you ask me. After yet another late rehearsal, I rushed home to get OTW's equipment. The finger I had slammed in a car door earlier that day had begun to bleed again as I raced to Scott's house. To put it simply: I was a little tense. Just a little. Zig-zagging through traffic we arrived to the Center only about ten minutes late. Now, someone from the Center had called earlier to tell me some Cinco de Mayo equipment was being stored in the theater for the next day (Cinco de Ocho? I guess you can do that). Anyway, it was supposed to only be a minimal amount of fencing. It turned out to be heavy lights, tables, and fencing. To bring us up to date: I'm late, I'm tense, and I'm forced to move things. What made it worse is that I had told Lisa and Dustin to come early so that we could practice our 3 Person Harold. Lisa was there right on time and helped us move, as did Scott, Heather, and Julia. I could not thank those people enough for their dedication. It's the little things like that that really give me respect for people in the improv community. After all the stuff was moved out of sight and things were generally in order, I got Lisa and Dustin together to warm-up. Luckily, my good friend Debra show up with a couple of her friends and some people Scott met at the "Suburban Legends" rockin' show came. Generally, I like small crowds, but not with comedy. When that happens people are afraid to laugh. Their fear stems from the fact that if they laugh, other people who aren't laughing will see them. Still, our 3 Person Harold -- named: "Uncle Jesse's Panda" of "Jon Stamos' Bear" -- took to the stage. I thought we had a pretty decent set. Nothing great, but certainly not horrible. Dustin and Lisa's scene was the best, along with the whole safety patrol thing between Dustin and me. Like I said, not bad, yet minimal laugher. :nervous:

The OTW Cast came on next. I was jealous that I didn't get to play with Jen Weeks. I honestly have to say that she's my new improv crush. She'd probably hate me saying this, but all the legends are true. Jen is an absolute delight to watch and be around. Afterwards at Dee's she just kept cracking Julia, Scott, Nicol, and myself up. Even with her on the team, the energy seemed low. Another bad side effect of small crowds. They don't pick up energy to rebound back to the performers. Still, a couple of fun scenes came out of the woodwork. Like I said, I'm optomistic about this coming week. I think the biggest bummer of the night is that Jake Plumbley got the performance dates mixed up. I got really worried that he had been in a car accident or something, because it's not like him to not show. I called and he explain the situation. He sounded really upset that he'd forgotten. I'm just glad he was okay and that things got straighted out. I told him to be ready for Scott to give him a call for the next show. I won't be there (Shakespearian Festival), only in spirit. Ahh...

And now, I'm going to go lay down. I'm tired. All the people came over to Orbit after Race for the Cure and we had only one server. Therefore, I became a host/bus boy/server. Chaos and hilarity ensued. Let's hope so for my sake it continues ensuing.

 

[Jarky]

Waterballoons and Beer Bellies

"I've always lived my life on the edge and sometimes it has come back to bite be. Was it worth it...?" *

You jump over hurdles. You get things out of the way so that you can move on to the stuff that really matters. And just when you get to that stuff you find that it's been sitting on the shelf to long. Mold has taken up residence on the pristine muffin you so tried to keep for a morning you didn't have to work when you could afford to sit down to breakfast like it was a meal again.

I wish I could appriciate how creative that last paragraph was, but right now I can't. My mind keeps being flooded with images of despair and loss. I've become MacBeth -- the character didn't stop last night on stage. This would all be a good idea for a screenplay, but like I said, I can't think about that now.

You've waited long enough. Here are the brass tacks:

Last night concluded my only "big" high school play production of the Mini-Shakespearian Festival. Yes, the administration gave me clearance because participation is required to pass the class if you are a senior. And now that it's over, I can't say that I miss it, but I won't put a damper on it by saying it was terrible. I actually enjoyed doing it so I can't complain. Or let's say, I WON'T complain, how's that? Let me just describe some of the things that left a stain on the experience. Rehearsing out in the cold, then performing in the rain with the wind blowing. That sucked and it's what happened on our first night. Many people left during intermission, but I was happy my dad, along with two friends from work, Cynthia and Kyle, stuck it out. They all liked it. Even as some lovely teenage patrons of the theater were hucking waterballoons at us we didn't stray and kept right on through it. I guess, in the end, theater people wear me down. I love'em and all, but I'm not up for singing showtunes 24/7 or saying I'm going to read something only to laugh every five seconds so someone asks me "What's so funny?", and, well, I can't resist not telling them. Sorry to say I'm the average looking straight guy in theater who just does it and goes home. I'm really glad to be done with high school drama. It was fun, but I've seen greener pastures beyond its walls and can't wait to frolick around in their grasses. As I've mentioned before, I believe drama is a freedom of speech and many restrictions have been placed on me so that I'm not so...oh, how shall we say it...explicit. Yeah, that's the word I would use. The second evening was probably the best performance -- our teacher said she wanted a different show from the evening before. The first night many of the dirty jokes went over people's heads and I got scathed in the sword fight. But the second night, those things went smooth as butter and then when I died, I screamed like a girl. I suppose we can't have it all, so take what you get. Last night the waterballoon people were back, along with the "PG" guidelines I had to follow.

But what's done is done. I'm glad people like Jamiee, Kendra, Cynthia, Kyle, and my family got to see me do it.

And now it's done! Now I can focus on improv until the end of June. Improv should be going so well!!! And yet...yet...as I called Scott last night he informed me that he had called the show off due to lack of audience. Ouch. Meaning there was no audience at all -- not one person. Big time ouch. So, like I said, I can't think about other things right now because my mind is focused specifically on that. I couldn't sleep last night I thought about it so much. I want the actors to get feedback. I want JoKyR and Jesster to continue performing with us once a month. I want Austin to be happy that we've made progress since he left. I want to live up to my promises. So the first thing I did this morning was call Troy, who wanted to do stand-up in the venue and I left a message saying he could. I hope he takes us up on that. I'm going to get as many people from work to come see our show, along with the drama club from school. I'm giving a local radio station tickets to give away on the air. I'm...I'm...I'm running out of breath.

I'm so nervous about closing up shop. I don't want to. I know that when I leave it's out of my control, but I would like to have something to come home to that I said I had created. I had put my blood, sweat, and tears into. And I have. So has Scott. And Laine. And Heather. And numerous others. Hearing the tone in Scott's voice last night...I could tell he is on the verge. Let's face it, we both are. At this point in time, we are skimming the edge of doom. The border is marked with a giant, gapping hole. But we've been here before. This scenario is a little worse, but nothing we can't face.

The hell am I doing talking to you guys, letting my gut grow into a waterbed? I have to get back to work.

*"You bet your ass it was."
- Robert Evans, The Kid Stays in the Picture

 

[Jarky]

Luke Sightings

"Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire."
- Lucille Bluth

I can't explain it, but there were two times I swear I saw Luke this weekend. I know it wasn't him, but I'm sure it was him. All I know is that if he were here he'd say MUWAH-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!

Man, there are so many times when I feel like I'm a character on The Sopranos. I used to relate to Christopher -- as a screenwriter, not a psycho path -- but now that I'm running my own improv troupe the tradgic shadow of Tony falls on me. Still, when you're the boss, things are good. This past weekend was very good. Very good indeed to be with improv.

Wow. I spend so much time living in the past that it's hard to realize the future plans that I've always kept way off in the distance have happened and that others are approaching rapidly. Scary and exciting on rye. Weeks ago we were looking at how to get people into the theatre. After talking with a consultant friend of mine, I heeded his advice: "Word of mouth." I spent the next week finding people to come see the show. I entreated my drama department to discounted tickets, told people from Utahimprov to come see what a "Harold" was all about, and the biggest draw for this weekend...the man himself...Austin Nava.

It almost seemed like he would never come back. Or that it would take so long for him to make his grand re-entrance. We got him this past weekend. He showed up early to the theatre to rehearse with Jesse, looking as tranquil and happy as ever. I can tell he's adapted well to his new environment, frolicking freely amongst the wild long form primates. I couldn't take in all of Austin at that point in time because we had a show to get ready for. And what a show it was. Close to 30 people showed up, which, to many, sounds small, but verges on selling out for us. Jesse and Austin had a great opener despite their self-critical comments they told me about (it really was funny). Our set didn't turn out to shabby either. Jen Weeks and I had a very funny scene about finding a hidden stash of hip-hop albums in each other's possessions. Jake Plumley and I had a clash of the telemarketers. And Lisa provided an awesome character with the girl-who-wants-to-get-married-way-to-soon. Yes, all together grand, minus the excessive amount of penis jokes stemming from Jake Plumley's mouth.

Ellude to that reference all you'd like.

Needless to say, we got back on track. Magic will be if I can pull of the same stunt this week. Austin and I had breakfast before his class on Saturday. Quality time to catch up and go over improv, life, and all those other things. I think the great thing about Austin is that he truly understands the concept of friendship. It shouldn't be a thing that you have to work for, to impress people, or constantly bombard the other with jabs (although we take our fair share to one another). He's just a guy who appriciates the people he's around, which get's him two fold in return. Anyway, his class provided good insight on how to make the Harold better. Off The Cuffers Tilt, TJ, and Wendy were there, always great additions to improv, along with Cami, Calvin, Jeremiah, and Jamiee. It felt weird being the only one really familiar with the format. Many times we had to backtrack, but in doing so it gave me a much needed review on how to make my long form better. In the end, I pulled away so much for openings and group games that it definitely was worth while.

Later, after I got off of work, we all headed over to Scott's house for a party in honor of our North Carolina guest. Scott, Lisa, Erin, Heather, Ben, Jen, Laine, Tilt, Wendy, TJ, and Linden all showed up. It was so fun to sit outside with the improv crew -- making each other laugh and recalling various times, even getting familiar with new stories. Yep, if only for a brief moment, I had it all. True, a lot of people were missing from the picture (you know who you are), but I'll take what I can get. And looking back, this is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that we all meet up in one location for oodles of fun. I shouldn't worry that it's not constantly there anymore.

Yet, the Tony Soprano in me sometimes gets the best. Now, that the weekend's over I have to worry about dealing with our website. Ogden's not happy that they are not mentioned, which is fair. They said that we had no right to change it and are fairly upset even though they are aware it's in the constructional phase, which is unfair. Whatever. I have to make peace between the families. I've got to become a little stricter on content guidelines. Penis once, shame on me. Penis twelve times, same on you. And also get Lisa installed at the new manager, which really isn't a worry. It will just take a little time.

This past weekend, though, no complaints. I won't have it. It was sublime in every way possible. Go see Shrek 2, it's hilarious. Don't do heavy lifting with your back. It hurts. Trust me. And, like Tony Soprano, make sure those...uh, luid activities...won't interfere with...you loved one's life.

 

[Jarky]

Catch 422

"I mean look at these fuckin' birds...it's just [starts to break down in a wailing sob] it's just so GODDAMN horrible."
- Three Kings

One person I've noticed change over the course of improv is Jake Plumley. Now, Jake has always been a trooper in this business. I might not always have agreed with him or supported what he said, but he set down some goals to obtain and is working hard to get them. That says something. But what I'm saying is that there is a notable change in his role in the great improv musical review. He's changed from management to improviser.

Since January or so I've been trying to mold the two into one. Joe Rogan came pretty close now that I look back on it. His mind kept pulsating with new ideas, better ways to push KYSOff, but I think when the wind changed he got caught in the updraft.

I guess what I'm saying is that right now I'm trying to find the perfect blend between fun and work. Business and play. Improvisation and professioanl obligations. Friday night I think I achieved the results I had been experimenting on for six months. HomeBrew took the stage again for their second rendition of "HomeBrew News". Now, maybe it was the sheer excitement of trying a new two-man show that made the last experience so good. To tell you the truth, I don't know. I thought we had a great set (nailing Santa to the cross and candy "dealers" -- "rock candy you got to cut up good before you off it. Can't take it as rock."). Even with lack of preparation and only two so-so rehearsals, this second go at it really went beyond my expectations. Afterwards, I found out that Scott was less than pleased with it. And since Laine got sick and everyone else was out of town for Memorial Day weekend, Scott and I had to join the home team too. Our montage, again, exceeded beyond what I thought was capable in a situation like that. I love playing with Troy so much. The best part is when we make one another crack up on stage. He had a scene at a drive-in movie theatre that didn't play any movies that I couldn't hold a straight face for and when I squeezed my head through a pantomined garbage disposal he laughed while saying, "Oh my! Can you do that other places." He didn't even want to get paid afterwards! How cool is that?

What really completed the evening is that my parents and younger came to see the show. Despite some qualms with language they enjoyed themselves. I haven't seen them that impressed with an improv show of mine since they came to my first with KYSOff. Other times it hasn't been the best of shows. An added bonus to that was a kid I hadn't seen in nearly three years came after I gave him a card with all of OTW's info. He said that the show cracked him up constantly -- even if he wasn't spurting laughter outloud he was chuckling on the inside. Apparently, he had waited all day for the show and it simply blew him away. And on top of that a really cute girl in my drama class (who's actually dating an old friend of mine, which is better than some asshole) came too. They both loved it and can't wait to come back.

There it is: the chemical formula. I wish I knew how to what when into the recipe, but I'm just glad that it worked. Like I said last time, if I can repeat a good show with good business, I will have done my job. Close to fifteen people were at the show, with most of them hung around afterwards to chat with the actors. Jake Plumley started to have a lot more pep in his step after he left his management duties to focus primarily on improv. I'm feeling that same pep just of a different nature. I set my goals out and have succeeded. To me, that means to world. I have three more weeks left before I go under the knife and I know that if I hadn't reached my goals by now it might never had happened.

I got working.
I got lucky.
I got what I wanted.

Others didn't. I suppose that for every improvical reaction comes a harsher, more real reaction. Scott's feeling a lot of pressure. It must be tough for him. He's a guy who wants a lot for himself while trying to do the best he can for others. I can tell he's getting stretched beyond his limit. Sitting with him at Dee's after the show just made me realize how much I'm going to miss the challenge of OTW with him by my side. Lisa will take over when I leave and I know she'll do great. They could be walking on water in a few years if they stick to their guns. More people felt other backlashes. Laine was sick and this, I imagine, would have been her final show. I hope she finds another venue in Salt Lake or Ogden or somewhere that can send her out properly. I had something planned for her, but damnit if the cold hasn't come back here. And still, more hurt. A bunch of people have not made it into the DCM this year. Jesse called me the day they announced the teams that got in, sounding like Old Yeller didn't come home. Hell, I'm not even going and I feel sad about it. I'm jealous I wasn't a part of it last year (422 would have been such a fun team to be on) and seeing it via video tape doesn't do it justice. No word yet about the Skirts or Jake P.'s team getting accepted. I hope someone does.

As for me, this week I'm graduating. It's almost in the bag for good. My aunt Beth and uncle Alan came in last night with my new baby cousin, Matthew. My other uncle, Mike, is also here. So right now, I'm feeling content. I have piece of mind for the first time in a long time. Will it last for long? Don't know and don't want to know. I want to enjoy the time it sticks around. How about that?

The good times are killin' me...

 

[Jarky]

The Graduate

"I've never let my schooling interfere with my education."
- Mark Twain

High school has officially finished. It feels very odd to refer to it in the past. Jesse told me that now he can have sex with me and it won't be underage rape.

Ew. But that's Jesse.

The ceremony was hot and boring. I think I heard one of the worst speeches from someone I admire. He included the following: "Let's not forget to thank Mr. Hansen. The man who puts the 'pal' back in principle"...ow...Ow...OW it burns my ears!!! Lots of beach balls, lots of frisbees, and lots of people I don't have to put up with. Now, willingly I'll admit that I'll miss a few and two of my closest friends -- Justin and Kendra -- but the rest are just a distant memory. It seems like this was a week for people to depart. A friend of mine at Orbit, Cynthia, took up a job at the Grand Canyon. She is the only one beside one of the managers to work there from the beginning. Another person from Orbit, a bartender named Kyle, bought his own restaurant that I went to today (I broke my vegetarianism to try his Philly Cheese Steak. It was worth it.) And perhaps the saddist exit off the Utah improv stage, Laine Hindley. One thing I know about Laine is that she's going to blow people over, including herself, with how amazing she is. I think she is a fabulous teach, a terrific improviser, and above all, a great friend. Her going away barbeque was a little lackluster, but I could tell she was ready to get a move on. Some people you can't tell with them. Ryan, JD, Austin...all of them seemed a little hesistant to leave. I don't know what it was. Family. History. Laine created her own history, it's true, but I know she wants to continue the book. I don't think she could if she stayed here and I admire her for following her heart.

Graduation also brought people in. My uncle Mike is still here, but my Grandma Rose, Alan and Beth and Matthew all left a few days ago. I love those people so much and at the same time I'm glad they're on their way home. It's hard to entertain people in Salt Lake for much longer than a week. The restlessness in their guts were brewing. I'll get to see Beth and Alan and Matthew in a few months because they live in Brooklyn. I think if I wanted anyone near by for help in the city it would be them.

And then, there are the parties.

It started with a surprise birthday party for a sweet girl in my drama class named Emma. Fun, fun, fun. Next it was the after party "lock-in" at my school. That was so-so fun (although I did get to sing "Soul to Squeeze" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers during karaoke). My parents threw me a party at our house the next day with some close friends coming by. Fun and fun. Nathan I hadn't seen in ages and it takes a lot for Matt to come out, but they came. Those guys are great and always have terrific stories. Even Linden showed up, which I didn't expect, yet was pleasently surprised. I made out pretty well for gifts -- let's just leave it at that (and a good chunk of money just went to paying for my car...again...two times today). I tell you, I can't wait to walk around a city and not have to worry about gas, insurance, or repairs for a goddamn Chevy cash eater. Okay, I feel better after that. Just had to get it out. And the last party was last night held at my friend Dede's house for our friend Kaytee who is moving to New Zealand to study abroad. I think they are some of my favorite people to hang out with. They always cook great vegetarian meals and come up with the funniest stuff to say. I'll miss Kaytee but she's only gone for a month so that's not bad.

Now, stuff with improv.

I got some good/bad news yesterday. I was told by my parents to expect it, but I really did believe it would happen. The insurance has rejected our claim and will not pay for my surgery. Yeah, I don't have to get cut open as of now! They say that until something is wrong with me they won't cover the costs for the operation. Boo, I might need to get it later in life! Everything I was about to leave rested on their decision. I'm not going to quit the Orbit just yet...however, I'm still going to hand over management duties to Lisa and Scott. I'll stick around a consultant -- the Silvio of our family -- for when they need me, but I think it's a good time to get out. Lisa will have two months to train with my help there when she needs it. I think it's time for me to step down, pass the baton, and run my own path as of now. I still want to perform and I still want to make a significant contribution to Off The Wall, but I don't want the responsibility any more. I feel like I'm leaving without any unfinished business to resolve. Now I can focus on the art of performing and be there when my friends need me. Scott's play debuts this weekend. I'm sure it will be great and slowly bring back normal Scott to us. It will be just like an episode of "Lassie", I promise.

Yeah, yeah. A lot of the good things go and a lot of the bad things hang around. I don't even feel the effect any more. I've become immune. Maybe my body can become immune to my chest as well. We'll see. I'm just happy that everyone with a flag lowered it to half mast when they heard my friends were leaving this past week. Sorry, Ronnie Reagan, you're not my friend.

 

[Jarky]

Find an Exit Nearest to You

“It’s called a change-over. He flips the projectors, movie keeps right on going, and no one in the audience has any idea.”
— Fight Club

FADE IN:

We stood on stage waiting. We had just accomplished a great long form montage. We had some character call backs. The closing scene had brought around the original theme and honored the suggestion. We waited for the black out. C’mon…it’s coming…any minute now…

FADE TO:

In all fairness, our substitute tech person did a fine <A TITLE="Click for more information about job" STYLE="text-decoration: none; border-bottom: medium solid green;" HREF="http://search.targetwords.com/u.search?x=5977|1||||job|AA1VDw">job</A> through the rest of the show. Being new to doing sound for, eh, anything I have to give her the benefit of the doubt. It’s all in the timing and sometimes the time has absolutely nothing to do with it. Jesse said later that he wish he would have pulled a Del Close by saying, “Okay, let’s just pretend like the lights went down.”

CUT TO:

I stand here, waiting for my black out. That’s not fair. A big blackout happened that night—I officially resign as manager for Off The Wall. It’s hard because I feel so disconnected now. School’s over. No obligations as a leader to people in the improv community. It’s very strange. I definitely feel like an adult now. I can tell that people, though they’ve always treated me with an extra helping of respect, see me as an adult. The weird coincidence is that Regan was the first president I was around to see, marking the beginning of my childhood. Now with his death, it signifies the end of a lot of things.
After passing the torch, I felt like this bird I had seen earlier in the week outside work. It was a plump robin, which is normal for the western states to have. The robin stood outside the restaurant, not moving except for the occasionally blink of an eye. I was able to approach it, place my foot directly in its face, and it didn’t flinch. We all thought it was preparing to die on the front of our building. Eyes wide and mouth open it stood there for the longest time. I got caught up in work after that, but decided to check on it as I left. It was not there at the end of my shift. Broken from it’s spell, only to return to flight.

FADE TO BLACK.

But I’m still here, still left pondering certain aspects of improv and life all at once. I was saving a quote from Fight Club as an ending to this journal or at least the Salt Lake side of it. This occasion seems quite appropriate on the other hand so I have no qualms using it. Fight Club is my favorite movie for a number of reasons. One of the great philosophical issues it tackles is that of materialism. At my job I see rich, white yuppie types who have a good amount of money and stuff, yet grow so unhappy when we don’t have Pierre. They have more than most and happiness still eludes them. I guess we are all kind of like that. One of the first things that made me doubt continuing with improv was a comment Micki made at one of my first Monday night shows. She said, “I really don’t like improv any more. I’ve seen it all and nothing surprises me.” I recall thinking that could never happen. You are doing something fun, which you love, and you’re not happy with it? How could that be? But I’ve come to the conclusion that in Utah it’s quite possible if you are not cautious. After the show Lisa, Jesse, and I all went out to talk. We came to the consensus that we definitely missed Tuesday night rehearsals to learn something new at (although Madstone theatres just got shut down due to tax problems. Who knows? Maybe Trolley Square Live will come back sooner than anyone thought. )

CUT TO:

That’s what I’m really looking forward to in New York, along with many, many other things. Here, people find a system that works for them and cease to stop learning. I don’t want to back myself into a corner. I don’t want to use improv the way a drunk uses alcohol. I don’t want to try to dive back into the same novice methods, harder and harder, to obtain that buzz I originally got with my first sip of improv. Improv has taken a definite journey of evolution for me. From fascination to therapy; from hobby to passion; from desperation to success; and last, from want to need and back to want again…and it continues to change (I should be aware of this by now, but it keeps on surprising me). I’m happy with my decision to put Lisa in now. Even though I’m no longer having the surgery—well, next week I’m not having the surgery, that much I know—I feel confidant that I’ve made the right choice. I could not sleep the night after our show. Tossing and turning, I kept thinking that I needed to have some control over it. I needed to direct the course of improv to what I wanted it to be. It’s hard to see something you’ve dedicated so much of yourself to go off to other parents. But I know they’ll take good care of her.

*Tear. Sniff*
Okay. It’s done.

FADE OUT.

Saturday passed and brought a painfully cleansing 24 hours with it. I began to put myself together, not feel as though I had everything and nothing at the same time. My management duties are gone, yes, but possibility lies in front of me at the same time. I keep on getting reminded that I’m a young man so I want to use this time in front of me very wisely. I can do a lot now. So, as I walk into the sunset I think of how Reagan’s dead (and hopefully, after 3.2 million on his funeral, in the ground by now), the bird has returned to it’s natural duties, and I have a blank page in front of me to do whatever I want. It’s not controlling where my improv road will take me—it was a lot more fun when I just was a leaf caught in the updraft. So watch for the cigarette burn to come into the corner of the scene. I’m not flipping the reels, just enjoying the show as it is. The cowboy clanks along the dirt road out of town. He’ll be back. He knows that it is only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything. But damn if that ain’t a beautiful sunset to mark your exit.

FADE TO BLACK.

 

[Jarky]

Art for the Moment

"I guess that's how the whole human comedy keeps perpetuating itself on down through the generations."
- The Big Lebowski

Improv for me doesn't get much better than last weekend. It wasn't one of forced connections or begging for laughs or passing off disappointment as happiness. No, Friday through Saturday was nothing but an exploration in how far people can go as individuals and a group.

I would like to extend my first thanks to Jake P. for encouraging so many people to come to the show. I think about 3/4 of the people who came did so because Jake asked them to, which is really awesome. My wish of spreading the improv love (not whore-like) came true that night. For a while, we've had our first halves be designated for up-and-coming troupes trying to establish themselves in the community. No matter how much I plugged it on Utah Improv, no matter who promised that some day in the near future they might be kind of interested in hearing about it, nobody really stepped up. Oh sure, I love being able to give JoKyR and Jesster a slot once a month, not to mention the same thing for HomeBrew. But what that space really is there for got used in the best way possible. We had five people from SCI perform they're first "official" long form on Friday night after only two weeks of training from Jesse. Those two weeks certainly paid off because these guys were great.

Chris came out of nowhere to astound the crowd; Liz took some time finding her voice, but worked well in the scenes; Jamiee threw herself into it completely and it showed; Jake added a little maturity to the set; and Jeremiah did some things to remind me of when I was first starting out. I admire his commitment and willingness to support his fellow improvisers in every way possible.

The OTW home team came out next. Though we started out on a very high not, but then two people got confused as to where the "Harold" structure went. That said, all the scenes were strong until the final one (it...just...wouldn't...end). My favorite scene of the evening took place in a courtroom. Joe Beatty named Lisa, "Judge Ironclad Bitch" -- hilarity ensued. It was good playing with Lisa, Joe, and Jake because I really feel they are ones who can propell the troupe forward instead of getting stuck in the mud.

Now, the show went great business wise and improv wise, but the real kick for me came from Ben Brinton's musical improv class the next Saturday. Some people said they would show up, but it turned out only to be me, Jake, Lisa, and Jeremiah (do you see the support, people?). One of the best classes I've had in a long time. Not since Ryan's six hours of improv back in March I've I felt growth as a performer on stage. I'm not muscially inclined, so to speak. In fact, I used to leave Ben's KYSOff rehearsals in a huff because I couldn't understand things like harmony, melody, rhythem, etc. I still don't understand most of that stuff, but Ben pushed everyone past they're limits. He even told me that he thinks I'm still holding back and that my range as a singer (well...a person who thinks he can sing) can go way beyond what I'm displaying now. That was mind blowing and encouraging at the same time. In retrospect, I'm glad the class was small. It felt like the troupe got to grow together, starting out with this Southern-Gospel exercise that engrossed everyone there. Ben kept wanting me to hit the keys he was singing. I've never done that before and could not hold them for long because I'd started giggling. What the hell was I doing hitting octives that high? The class kept building with different ingredients to musical improv, but the best part came when Lisa and I did a scene about friends helping each other cheat, then realizing they didn't need cheating or tests, they had each other. It turned out to be one of the best scenes I've ever performed. For me, it meant the world. There are a number of reasons why:

1) It was muscial (I actually have range?)
2) It was risky (the platform for improv)
3) It was with Lisa (I don't know why and it's certainly not her fault, but in the past my scenes with Lisa have been really negative. I'm at a loss as to why I do it and this scene could have turned ugly, but it because great work).

Once the workshop was over Ben, Jake, Jeremiah, and myself went over to the Gateway to see the "Chalk Art Festival". My mom had actually been the events coordinator for it through her work as an event to raise awareness for the need to have foster parents. I was happy to see my mom so excited over something she had put together, not to mention the art was fabulous. I'm not talking about stick figures on the ground, I'm talking life-like images drawn with incredible skill on concrete over the course of two days. Many times I wish improv could be more visual or long lasting, something that when you say you're an improviser there is evidence to back you up. Seeing these works, though, which are highly visual and knowing that the rain will just come wash them away in the early morning hours...it just is comforting that you are not alone in your art.

Look at me...I'm ramblin' again...well, more stuff will be happening. You know that, I know that. Just the cycle of laughs I guess. Let's see what's happening on down the trail.

 

[Jarky]

Angry Improvisers

"We all float on okay/and we'll all float on anyway."
- Modest Mouse

For all those who think Modest Mouse's latest album is the band selling out, you've bought in. You've bought into the concept that no one should succeed, experience fulfillment, and nice guys never should be seen finishing first for a change. If anyone in the crazy music industry deserves a chance at a retirement plan, let it be these guys. Hell, take another quote from one of the great musicians of all time, Duke Ellington:

"If it sounds good, it is good."

Duke's in the fridge for a rainy day. We're sticking to the rock and roll themes of this entry and there's nothin' that YOU or MY PARENTS or THE MAN can fuckin' do about it. Take that job and stick it up your narc ass! Sound pissed off? Yeah, that's a good way to paraphrase it...but, am I really? No...no, not really. In fact, I'm a little lonely and disappointed, but not angry. Of all the people I've met in improv, not one of them seems like the angry type. A lot of determined people, no doubt, added with some grouchy ones, but the mix remains dairy, I mean, angst free.

Why is that?

I think the reasons rock stars get so many fans is because they get everyone angry. The tension builds. They're blowing up in other people's face, passing it on like any one of the thousands of diseases clutching to the inner palm of a Jack-N-The-Box employee. Burrowing it's way into the blood stream it takes hold of the heart, jacking the rate up to the point where you can't do anything but scream. That's why people love music. That's why Iggy Pop and Tom Waits are icons. That's why guitars, bass, and drums remain a pivotal catalyst in pop-cultural history. People sharing pain. Why can't improviers share they're pain? Because it's not funny. Because the illusion of perfection hangs over us -- comedians must be rays of sunshine, they're always so gee-golly funny!

This week, I got angry, at myself, for the most part. Yesterday's show was mediocre at best. I'm glad that Lisa was able to handle the situation well on her own and that Scott will be back (with the rest of our cast). A friend of mine who had never seen my show came as well, making up 3 audience members in the beginning. Thanks to Troy, through, about 12 people ended up coming to the show in the end. Even through the Harold and Four Square had their moments, I found myself disappointed that I resorted to a racy premise (racy, as in stereotypes, etc.), which turned out to be the funniest scene of the night. That's scary, because I never wanted to resort to that. If anything, I want to be an equal opportunity discriminator But when I haven't taken a shot all night, then I feel bad...no, I feel pissed off. Still, there's nothing that can be done. That's what makes improv so mobidly beautiful: once it's out there, it's there to stay. Anger won't improv the situation, it will probably make it worse.

I'll save it for my book of poetry, how does that sound?

Getting angry in improv can be a good thing. Jesse and I had lunch yesterday to arrange a very covert exchange (shh...). He told me he's going to Chicago to get yelled at. When I recall the times I learned some good things, it been when someone has scared the shit out of me by yelling. Case and point: first encounter with Ross White. Ryan and I were on stage doing a scene. This is what took place, to the best of my knowledge:

ME: Look at it, it's so cool.
RY: Yeah. It could really work out well for what we need.
ME: Sure, we could use it to paint.
RY: Yeah...
RW: (from offstage) WHAT THE FUCK IS IT!?
ME: Um...uhh...a...lollipop.
RW: A LOLLIPOP!?! Fuck you, it is. I've been waiting here for a minute to find out it's a lollipop! You can't paint with that. Start over.

Woke me up. The tickle from the feather and a slap of whip cream to the face. Now, I'm painting Ross White as an R. Lee Emery character. For the record, he's not. I still look back to the notes I got at his class over a year ago. He got angry, even if it was that teacher 'I'm gonna yell at you so it sticks with you.' I think you have to channel that anger; release it on stage at the proper time or save it to learn from in the workshop. It sucks, but at leasts there's something you can do with it. Better than most of the other stuff that sparks a fuse in everyday life.

So, as we speak, I'm trying to let go.

A two star show...could've been worse...could've had no audience or a zero stars. There's a bunch of other stuff I could talk to you about. Friends who cheat...people who lie...phones that drive you nuts...just let it go. Or rock out until you can't feel a single emotion in your body. :loopy:

 

[Jarky]

Bad, Teenage Poetry

"People aren't supposed to look back. I'm certainly not going to do it anymore. I've finished my war book now. The next one I write is going to be fun. This one is a failure, and it had to be, since it was written by a pilar of salt."
- Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughter House-Five

I have to admire a man like Kurt Vonnegut. He's not the writer I most want to be like. He's the improviser I want to be that he never was. How cool is it for him, in the first chapter of this book, to announce that not only is it a failure that you are about to spend your worth time on, but that the next one (which has yet to be written...if it is to be written) is the one that will mean something. Vonnegut chastizes his rambling prose, who's order and randomosity match that of the main character, Billy Pilgrim, who's skipping around his own personal history. More so, after the book's first chapter is over, the author very succintly puts how it will begin and how it will end. Nothing special or necessarily intriguing, yet I had to read it through in one day to find out.

Now, here's how this entry starts. It begins as:

Listen, I have no time or place.

And it ends:

Neither side of a subtraction problem is happy because they've both lost something.

Listen, I have no time or place. Not anymore. At least not today. I'm being too brash and reckless, caught-up in the wonton teenage desire to do Def Jam Poetry. God, I'm a teenager and I can't even stand other teens who's feelings can only be expressed through channels of off-beat verse. See, is this fun to read? I didn't think so, but like I said, I have no time or place right now so let's watch the dam burst.

When I mean I have no time or place, it means that right now I'm a ball in a game of catch. At this moment I'm stuck, hoovering in the air, caught in an updraft. Sure, it's kinda cool to not have a sweaty hand wrap around you, anchoring you down. You're free to do whatever for the most part. The guy who threw me is Salt Lake. The one to catch me is New York. And the ball is me, caught in limbo. I will admit, through, that the past week has really made me enjoy the air up here. Something about today's wind chill, on the other hand, has pushed me a little closer to my final destination.

The time I have to just sit and think is absurd. And during this ponderization, I began to think about not thinking -- essentially the nature of improv, am I right? The best improv comes when no idea has entered your mind previous to you stepping on stage, in my opinion. You can't place your finger on it, but anyone can tell when impromptu abilities are at work, which in turn makes the payoff bigger. So, while I'm still in the land of my birth like the salt in that big ol' pond, I'm vowing not to think about improv outside shows, class, or this journal. Okay, how about a promise to myself I can actually keep? Cutting down on the thinkin of improv. There we go. It amazes me how many people perpetually think about improv all the time -- how can one think about it all the time and yet be able to perform with a tabula rasa mentality?

A lot of good people, Jake, that's who! Yeah, but I guess it's just not for me. I'm gonna break the habit cold turkey. (I told you, the amount of thinking time I have right now is absurd.)

Last night's class with Jesse was fantastic. All the character work that we did brought out so much joy in myself. I had a great seen with Jake P. about the origins of his racism and another cool scene with Jeremiah about a third wheel in a two-man friendship. I like that kind of stuff, not to mention the people who are there. All of them create a new, fun working atmosphere that I really enjoy. The past week I didn't think I made any progress at the class. I didn't back slide, but it was no incline...though, that night I made a personal leap up.

I had to stop for a second because it's struck me for the first time that people I know will view this information. I guess I've always been aware of it, but not like this. For the sake of privacy, let's just say I've grown closer to someone I did not expect to and she has made my personal limbo so much more bareable, which is totally awesome. We spent 4th of July together, watching Troy nearly catch on fire and then go deaf in one ear. It's nice to have someone, even if you've both agreed it's nothing serious, to spend an entire night just talking, completely uninhibited, about each other. Open and free to say whatever.

But, I'm supersitious. I think when my improv's going bad, my personal life sucks and vice-versa. I need to get over that crap. My little habits keep me from doing so much, like being happy in my work and my loved ones at the same time. I'm going to go read some Nikki Giovanni, while listening to Creed in the mall's food court. I guess this week I've not only learned about character on and off stage, but that there are more habits I need to break than just trying to surpress the thoughts of improv. The ones who's roots lie in the philosophy that neither side of a subtraction problem is happy because they've both lost something.

 

[Jarky]

The Red Rock Finale

"Those who learn have an obligation to teach."
- Old Hebrew Proverb

I didn't think this past weekend would be much of anything. I was looking forward to catching one last glimpse of cedar red mountains as I spent Friday and Saturday down in the home of the Shakespearian Festival (a classy one unlike my high school's). But from 1:00 p.m. on Friday to 1:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon, I experience one of the most rewarding weekends doing improv ever. Period.

On Friday I was rushing around, trying to get some last few things taken care of before I hit the road. I got my paycheck, got luck, and got out of the city...only to hit a massive traffic jam at Point of the Mountain. How some people make that journey every day is beyond me. The traffic and construction only lasted about 25 minutes tops, then I was cruisin'. I forgot that past Spanish Fork you can go 75 mph which is great when you don't have a functioning A/C in the car. There I am, blazing down the road with the wind polishing my skin at the same time it's getting burned, listening to an underground band named: Particle so I feel like it's an original soundtrack to the movie that is my life. About four hours late I arrive in Cedar City, convinced I'm going to be late for the show because Tilt asked me to come early in order to explain some of their rules and games. But when I show up to his house, he's just lounging -- listening to his music that's even more underground than Particle. I'm so unfamiliar with the way of life down here in Southern Utah.

Tilt and I hang out in his house for a little while. What used to be the front law is a dried up plot now. In the back are discarded refrigerators, planks pulled off an elderly hot tub, and a trampoline glistening in the sun. Inside are light fixures hanging down in an unfinished kitchen. Knick-knacks adorn the living room where I'm sleeping. I love it. And as much junk lay around the house, it was considerably clean and welcoming the entire time I was there. Tilt and I head over to the Green Show at the Shakespearin Festival. He wants to show me a couple people in the troupe, plus it's a free show to watch while we wait. He hasn't even begun to think about improv. His demeanor stays loose and calm -- what's there to worry about? he tells me. The Green Show is pretty cool, I have to say. It's like an upgrade of the shows you see at Universal Studios with some fairly talented people on stage.

Jumping back in the car we went to get dinner (where, of course, Tilt knew everyone in the restaurant. He's a local celebrity down there). From dinner we head to the theater. It's a cool little coffee bar with a big space for performing and on Sunday's, a church. I remember thinking, 'well, you take what you can get.' That was before I saw how many people came to the show (around 110), all loving it from the opening to the closing. Most of the short form games were the same as when I played them. It had been a while since I'd done "Murder Mystery" or "Scenes Not Seen", but I was surprised at how good I still was at them. As much as I rag on short form, I grew up watching it, loving it, and in many ways, still do. Everything was going well, but the killer scene came when we played "Birds and the Bees", something I'd only heard of until then. Blew them dead. Our "talk" was about...driving. I played the father with Leslie as the mother and Mary as our daughter. I started out by finding an automotive magazine under her bed with a pull out of I-15. From there we went to lines like:

"When I caught you honking the horn, I was a little scared but okay with it."

"Your mother and I down shifted first."

And the closer:

"Are you at least using an airbag?"

That was the scene that made the night. A whole lot of innuendo and gimmick, but who cares? It was fun for a change. After the show, people came up to all the actors, telling them they did a great job. I even got some compliments saying, "I loved it when you mentioned Upton Sinclaire" and "Thanks for all the political commentary, I was great." Normally when I do a show outside of Salt Lake, those references go right over people's heads. Tilt and the others agreed that I needed to tone down on the literal references so they could catch up. The after show was pretty much like any. Denny's for shakes, meet the people more indepth, and swap stories. All the good stuff. By the time I got back to Tilt's house I was beat, but we stayed up watching "Old School" until we were both zonked out.

I awoke the next morning to various voices whispering, "Who's that on the couch?" You'd think it would be incredibly hot down in the desert, but actually the temperature was just right. I slept almost 10 hours straight and that never happens. We get up, get lunch at the Pastry Pub (excellent, by the way) and then head over to SUU's main theater to see if we can get tickets for free for "Taming of the Shrew". While we're waiting I see my best friend, Matt, hanging around with another friend of mine, Nathan, until the show starts. Funny how you can go miles and miles and still see peopel you know out of the blue. Wendy and Tiffani could get us tickets, but then Tilt admitted that if they weren't next to a certain girl he was interested in, forget it. Once Wendy got off work, she, Christ, TJ, Tilt, and myself went over to a section of campus to play "Extreme Croquette", which is basically like minature golf. It was really fun in the way that you're supposed to be creative in your fun at college. On top of that, I even won...although I don't know if it was a mercy win. It sure didn't feel like it for a while.

The evening sun was setting, turning everything a ruby red. We headed in for the class I was about to teach and some pizza before hand. All of the Off The Cuff members were extremely welcoming and open to talking about so much stuff. Like I said, it quite a change from what I'm used to. Even Jonathan, a guy who came to KYSOff workshops on a unicycle back in the day, a man who didn't seem to want to listen to anybody about improv or much else, was very polite and curtious. We finished dinner and headed on in for the class, which I was the most worried about out of everyone. I still can't understand how they are so care free in Cedar City. They didn't lock the doors to their houses and assured me that when they left it wide open -- with my cell phone, keys, and wallet all layed out by the door -- that I didn't need to worry. I took that to heart when starting the class.

My main focus was to show emotion on stage and have your partner recognize that emotion, then react to it. We started off passing the snap, colors, and fruit. Next we lifted one another up in the air, the liftee shouting "I AM!!!" and the lifters responding with their name (kudos to Ross White for that exercise with KYSOff a year and half ago). Next we went into an exercise I've never done in improv, only in theatre school, but one which I though would bring out a lot of emotion. And that it did. I anticipated some crying, but not as quickly as it came. I had them make three observations that Jesse had us make two weeks ago in his class:

"You have...."

"You have...that must mean..."

"You have...that makes me feel..."

On the last one they said, I wanted a honest observation about the person. Before I knew it people were laying their hearts out for each other. It was amazing. The scene work that came out of that exercise was great, too, with some really funny, original moments that actually made me laugh and not have to force one. The next exercise, also one from theatre school, was to make a confession to a person sitting across from you. Again, the tears flowed. People laughed, cried, and hugged. The improv intent was to show that so much information comes from confessions, but in reality it was also to help bring the Off The Cuff members closer to each other. After that, more good stuff came though not as much as before. We took a short break, then returned for some silent scenes, ones without suggestions, and then one where everyone add one thing to the scene. The second to last scene was a mess and I didn't want them to get discouraged with that being their last scene. The next one I gave them a location and they added to it beautifully, turning it really into an ensemble piece by the end. We finished with counting to 20 (which we did successfully on the first try). I told them that whatever they do, if they chose to continue in improv with these skills or something else, that they should always remember that they accomplished getting in touch with their emotions tonight. That they portrayed themselves in a fantastic way. It made me feel great that they got so much of it and that they appreciated my teaching skills. That always makes it worthwhile. Not only when you can doing something well, but then return the gesture to others. Nobody walked away from that workshop without something.

The next day I got up and waited for Tilt to return from church. We went out to breakfast, came back, and said our good-byes. The others had their parting words with me the previous night over a game of "Cranium". I got in my truck and headed out of town. The last red peak vanishing in the distance for several years, the people maybe, but hopefully not forever. Back through Filmore and other podunk towns who's biggest attraction is that they have to Chevron stations. A little slice of heaven four hours away. I'm really going to miss all of them. It almost makes me wish I hadn't gotten into NYU , that I'm not going to see them in a few months and how far they've come. But that's okay. Tilt, Wendy, TJ -- they say come back any time. I'm always welcome. In a place like Cedar City, with people as outgoing and brilliant as they are, it's a nice offer to have.