Laugh Out-Loud Difficult

The three to four people that glance at this blog from time to time (or month to month as my activity will often force) know very well that I hold aspirations of making a career out of entertaining. I say "entertaining" and not "acting" for one major reason: I'll take whatever I can get. Yes, I want to act in some form or another (the ultimate goal is to one day find myself in a movie with superpowers). Work, school, and life in general has prevented me from even toying around with the idea of doing something with theater. Frankly, I have not had much of a creative outlet. This makes for one annoying husband (ask Lauryn, she'll tell ya).

So, my wife, in her wisdom (and her desperation to get me out of a slump so I wouldn't make her clinically insane) took one of her payments for a recent web design she did to buy me into the advanced classes in the Jester'Z improv comedy troupe. This was a daunting and exciting opportunity for me. I do hope that this someday turns into an opportunity to be in the main cast of the Jester'Z, as they select their cast from the advanced classes. I have been blessed with great instruction thus far...

I'm a pretty funny guy. Granted, I have a quirky sense of humor at times, and I tend to "take a swing and miss" often enough, but I have always felt this was a part of comedy. Being willing to risk looking like an idiot is where comedic genius can be found. Sometimes I draw a line in the humor and walk right over it and that does lead to some awkward moments, but I have been blessed with some understanding friends who allow me the opportunity to work on my humor within a safe environment.

Being that I consider myself a man with a decent sense of humor, I had no idea (and trust me, if you have not taken classes YOU most likely have no idea as well) how very difficult becoming a truly excellent improv actor can be. I never thought I would see the day where I walked out of improvisation classes feeling like I was doomed to a life of always be inadequate. My instructors don't make me feel that way in any sense of the word, but there are rules with improv that separate "advanced" improv actors from "professional" improv actors. I have friends that make it look easy, and that is a fine art to be sure.

That being said, I am learning astounding amounts of knowledge and skill in the way of improv comedy. I highly recommend the beginning or advanced classes (as your experience would dictate). Part of the classes feature performances, which are usually free, in order to give the actors a chance to learn how to perform. It may not be main-cast caliber, but it is fun nonetheless. Take a look at their site and look at their calendar for days to come take a look! I will be up performing this Thursday, August 13th and three weeks following.

Just don't bring tomatoes... especially if they're still in the can...