As we transition into different stages of the pandemic, I think of people that I spent time with during all of that aloneness. Many folks were completely zoomed out. But I was really thankful for Thursday nights. That’s when I got to see a group of people that brought me so much joy during such a strange time. From the moment we met for my first coaching session, I felt such warmth. And what was meant to be temporary guest coaching, turned into almost a year. Through the toughest parts of the pandemic. Elections, insurrections, holidays alone etc. We kept…
Thank goodness I finally found my way to the good vibes felt in the improv jams hosted by Michelle Gilliam and MKE Improv. Should’ve happened sooner, but the new year finds me with a change in routine and structure in my calendar and headspace. So really, I think I made it at just the right time. The MKE jams have such great energy and I’m just sitting here at home going from anxious and blah to feeling like my cup was just filled within 75 minutes. And sometimes when you least expect it, there’s a moment of improv magic. The…
So 2020 was something wasn’t it? And 2021 is already acting up. But here we are. While I’ve been lucky to coach improv teams online during the pandemic, I haven’t taught a regular class or workshop in a while. Aside from coaching, I spent much of 2020 in the student seat. Losing the opportunity to travel, teach and connect with folks in person was such a shock. And it’s one that we’ve all dealt with in so many different ways. I couldn’t handle not staying connected to others in some way. Online improv has been such a gift! And it…
I was anxious about getting the third vulnerable night planned already six months since the last! So I was pretty excited to set a date with my favorite coffee shop. It meant a lot to have a special space to gather. A couple nights before the event, my contact at the shop let me know that he’d resigned and that they were currently closed. I saw this message at midnight and went into a spiral of cry fits and social media holes. I was sad about the event and I was sad about my favorite place that had felt like…
No matter how passionate we are about the work we do, we all have those days when we feel a bit deflated or lost. It’s important during those times to focus on something that recharges the inspiration within us. One of those things for me is a group of college students from Cal State Fullerton called the Funny People Society. I spent 5 years taking classes and workshops in Los Angeles and it is all anyone can do to get me back up to the area, or even close to it. But I don’t even think twice when asked to come…
Vulnerable night (aka Let’s Get Vulnerable) has become an event in my little community that I never thought could be possible. I hadn’t realized how much I needed a night like this. Or how much my friends and community needed it too. This night of sharing was born out of my pursuit to complete my solo show which has been on my mind since 2014. I have found a million and one reasons not to get anywhere with this project. But I did have a thought last year to workshop some ideas for friends, but also decided that I wanted…