How is it that one person can have such a huge effect on us that we will all but kill ourselves to keep from encountering this one terrible person? What has this person done to deserve such an elevated status that shadows our own? Because we clearly aren’t the bigger person here. Sometimes it’s an ex, a bully (because yes, they do still exist – and now they’re taller), a parent/in-law we don’t care for, an old friend from whom we were plenty glad to separate … It’s fascinating to me. I just performed the act that involves, “Will so-and-so be there?” Why? Because I am human – and worse, I’m a woman. Lord knows we can’t be counted upon to hold ourselves together, keep our emotions in check. I mean, as it is, we’re lucky to have slept our way into the workforce. The only reason we got the right to vote is because we JUST WOULDN’T SHUT UP.
No. I’d like to think my feelings on this particular issue is not based on being a woman – although, I’m a bipolar-Cancer-artist woman, so, really, Emotional is my middle name. No - what’s REALLY interesting about this person and this situation is that he has a personal effect on my professional life. I met this person (we’ll call him El Diablo) when I was cast in an improv group (which I later found out he was producing), and our relationship has stayed right there.
If there’s ever a performance art form in which you feel completely bare, it’s improvisation. You start a scene metaphorically naked (or literally, if the rest of the group is willing and able … and attractive), and you gradually “get dressed” TOGETHER with your scene partner(s), until you have magically created wonderfully coordinated outfits. Now that you’re comfortable (as being clothed generally helps facilitate), you can do anything, go anywhere, be anybody, etc. – the stage is your oyster.
For those who have never improvised before, I will continue to explain using the same clothing metaphor. Try to remember what it was like when you were first allowed to pick out your own clothes as a child. (This is similar to an actor moving forward with improvisation from performing strictly scripted material.) It’s very exciting. Sometimes you pick a good outfit, sometimes your mother tells you to change – either way, it doesn’t matter because you’re doing it.
Now, while this whole thing has been very exciting, it’s also completely terrifying if you’re not with the right people. And here is where the problem lies – as I said before, improvisation starts as a bare-naked art. Imagine it’s morning, you’re starting your day, and it’s time to get dressed. You pick out your clothes, set them aside, turn away for just a moment, and when you turn back someone has burned your clothes. This is the equivalent of your scene partner saying “no” to you on stage. “No” can take many forms – it can be the statement itself, but it is anything that is in disagreement with the things that are already in motion.
So, someone has burned your clothes. You’d hope that if they knew you were trying to get ready, they would have at least brought you something else to wear, but they haven’t. So, you, still naked (and in front of an audience), have to figure out what else to wear – the pyromaniac is offering no solutions. So you pick out a wonderful suit, the pyro burns it, but this time he has brought a change for you – and it is a barrel. He just thinks this is SO funny. You MUST wear the barrel. He will have it no other way. AND, he is so sure that this is the funniest thing in the world, he can’t wait for people to ask about it, so that he can take credit.
These are some of the behaviors of a terrible improviser. If you are a beginner, you are forgiven, as long as you are understanding, taking notes, and actually continuing forward. It is another thing to exude these behaviors, and then claim to be good.
I love improvisation – almost more than any other art that I perform. I feel so terrified and exhilarated and blessed any time I have the privilege to perform it. Because that’s what it is – a privilege. It demands more respect for your fellow performers than anything else in the world. It's truly a beautiful thing.
So when I give you the respect that is deserved to any and every scene partner, and you are so personally and SO professionally disrespectful … Yes, I will email the director to find out if the producer of this upcoming “group” is you, El Diablo. And there is a terribly strong chance that I will not support you, as I have watched and experienced you not support your colleagues on stage on too many occasions.
All the world is a stage – learn to improvise.
Candice has spoken.
