A Viking, an Aussie, and an Irishman walk into a bar. An Improvised Story never to be heard again.



Monday night I went to Pat Connoly's Tavern and taught some improv with the Improv Fun And Games run by Michael McGuire. Mike is old skool St Louis, born and raised near Dog Town, pulled himself up by his Irish family bootstraps, made a good living for himself in real estate but above else, is living the life as a generous improv and stand up comedian. I first met Mike years ago on a teaching visit to The Improv Shop when it was still hosting shows above the Tin Can when the Tin Can was still open near Washington Avenue. Every time I talk to him I feel like I'm in a movie about Irish gangsters. He has a low key charm that cuts the crap with a gentle but sharp wit. When he asked me to lead a few workshops for his group, I embraced the golden opportunity.

I'm not sure when he founded Improv Fun & Games. But they've been around about as long as The Improv Shop. But instead of a permanent home, IFG stays agile and mobile like a band of gypsies who set up camp when the winds are just right. Recently they hosted shows at The Gaslight Theater. But the key to their success are the weekly pilgrimages to Pat Connolly's Tavern in Dogtown for rehearsals run like workshops. Each week a different instructor, each week a different lesson, followed by fellowship, food, and drinks in the pub below. Tis a fitting Irish setting for the Irishman who runs the show. Mike grew up not far from Pat's. Now he gives back to his old neighborhood, by giving back to improv.

The first class I taught had nearly 30 students. It was too much and it wasn't til afterwards I found out that at least a half a dozen of them had never taken improv before. Monday night was much more manageable. Good thing too, cause we got physical.

I always want to work on the emotional power within the improviser's toolbox. But Improv Fun & Games Shows are mostly short form, so I wanted to keep it close to that flow. I decided to weave in the emotional work with some subtlety by having them focus on physicality and motion.

We warmed up with Zip Zap Zop and I was reminded that some of these players are still a little green, and that's all good. We had to slow it down and just focus on focus. I'm always amazed at the learning journey for individual players. As frustrated as some of them were with a simple warm up, it is a rewarding experience when you see someone "Get It" and just "Play".

Then we passed some physical morphs around the circle before jumping into the short form game of Moving Bodies followed by Ghost Moving Bodies. Then some Scenes with Mirrors and Foreign Film Variations. We encountered learning blocks, we fell down, we picked each other up, we celebrated discoveries and discussed the gifts of live theater in general. Most importantly we talked about the difference between 'grasping humanity' and 'going ape' in a scene. If you want further explanation on the games or what we talked about, drop me a line and I'm happy to explain. Or maybe I'll make an article explaining games. Or better yet, I'm happy to coach you and your friends via the miracle of technology.

After rehearsal I got to know some of the talented students over beers while the Blues picked up another win on the TVs over the bar. A rich and rewarding night followed by a long walk home. What stayed with me during a mile long hike back to the train was the same thing that stays with any longform improv audience member. Not specific jokes or bits, but impressions left by characters, relationships, scenes blending together into my own stories and themes. The players may not remember the same thing the audience remembers. Sometimes players will get wrapped up in self-doubt and judge their moves. Sometimes they will fill their time with Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda. But if they are practiced enough they'll use the time after a show to appreciate the glow left behind and what lit the fire in the first place. They'll remember discoveries and moments of joy. And the more an improviser practices appreciation, the stronger the fire next time they return to the stage or rehearsal. It's ok to get Zip-Zap-Zop wrong. It's ok to get Freeze Tag wrong. As long as they keep trying out that magical spell of 'Yes And' together and then allow themselves to remember and respect the something they built out of nothing, failure fails to exist. The audience does not bother themselves with the details of imperfection. The audience wanders home in the glow of joy's warmth.

As I walked across Forest Park in the cold dark night, I was warm with the memory of the stories in my head inspired by the improv i had witnessed earlier. I had given them the same suggestion I have been giving a few of my improv students lately, "Fyrstikken and Seablue, the Viking and the Aussie". I have been giving this suggestion as inspiration because those are the names of two inspirational fellows I have recently encountered here within this glowing Steemit Community. And the stories that those two names ignite in improvisers that know them not, are just as enjoyable as the real deal.

Twas a long journey home from that improv class that night. But I had a smile on my face to keep me warm as I remembered the story of two men meeting in an Indiana Bar to share Pineapple beers and talk of trucks, travel, women, and beaches. There was also the story of a couple pig farmers that needed to pick the pigs for slaughter, but had a hard time letting go of the little animals they'd grown to love. The story of a Trucker and his Dispatch Boss commiserating over hardships at home and how life on the road was like a vacation in itself. And the story of a married couple who travelled to Hawaii to get a divorce, but the pig roast and pineapple drinks on the beach rekindled their love for one another, once again.

Once again, I will be seeing Michael McGuire and that easy going but wise charm. Once again I'll run into @Seablue, @Fyrstikken, and the Steemspeak tribe for good cheer & new lessons. Once again I'll be thankful for improv and for steemit, page and stage. Thank you for stopping by, once again.

All the best,

Jacob TS

Improv & Steem Begins | HOWL | How Do I Light The Fire

Coinbase | FreeDoge

@Steemtrail | V.O.T.U. | Improv-Trail

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