You get that to work with AND you get to create relationship AND you’re given a place. Say a shoe factory or a farm or the dry cleaners. From there you create a scene, a dialogue and a relationship with the person you’re on stage with….and the IMPROV teacher said this is exercise is going to be fun. It wasn’t. And it was. IMPROV class kicked my butt. I’m reminded of something I heard Jessica Bendinger, an acclaimed Hollywood screenwriter, say when she spoke of her recently released novel The Seven Rays. (from her site: The story follows 17 year-old, Beth Michaels, who uncovers elements of the supernatural on her journey of self discovery. The words: “You are more than you think you are” mysteriously present themselves to Beth and ultimately drive her quest.) Bendinger suggests getting the perfectionist out of the room. Check. And allowing yourself the permission to fail. Check. And remembering you’re writing to connect with others. Got it. So I’m thinking (shhhhh brain) that IMPROV and writing and designing and even yoga all require similar skills. You need to be present and bring it. For instance, when I’m designing something, be it a label or brochure or logo, I get a few parameters and the rest is up to me. What am I going to bring to the table? The point of all this? I’m going to design a label for homemade lemoncello as if it were an IMPROV skit. Over the next few blogs, my readers get to see how this raw design unfolds. I don’t get the luxury of editing. I have to commit to what I have and make it work. On stage? My design. My IMPROV skills. And you. I have no idea how this will play out until I start. My first scene partner? A photograph of Ralph, who gave me this recipe. Stay tuned.
