07.07.2010 by Shannon
Number one word to describe tonight: fun.
For such a flat-footed, sallow little three-letter word, it sure encapsulates the intoxication I experienced from 7:05pm-7:55pm. Fun. Fun, fun, fun. Fun! In the parlance of the Internet, let me capitalize to indicate increased volume: IT WAS FUCKING FUN. (more…)
Category Daily1, Over in Oakland, Performance, Writing & Language | Tags: acting,action theater,arts center,craft,improv,practice,temescal,theater,Writing & Language | No Comments
07.01.2010 by Shannon
Showed up for an “extra” off-the-schedule class at Pan that our stand-in teacher D. offered to teach while A. is away in Ireland.
Only three showed, but what a class. Such learning. D. is really showing us some of the guts of improv, and how certain choices can yield different results. “Follow the fear!”
He instructs us to do the one thing the character doesn’t want to do; say the one thing that is hardest to say. That moves the action. That creates the tension of the scene.
We would do a scene over and over– “freeze!” D. calls out, and then asks us “what would be the most difficult thing to do right now? Great! Do THAT!”
Takes the scene somewhere completely new.
More and more I’m finding my stage craft to mimic any practice in life: be present. Trust. Embrace the fear or excitement. When in doubt, just say exactly what’s right in front of you. The juice lies in the difficulty.
Thanks, D. for the extra class. We are coming along.
Category Daily1, Over in Oakland, Performance | Tags: fear,improv,pan theater,practice,trust | No Comments
06.23.2010 by Shannon
I’m going to be doing another Mortified performance in Berkeley. Come watch me mortify myself on stage as I read journal entries I wrote when I was 12 and tried to change my reputation — military style — in order to win over my crush.
Awesome beat-box crew also does amazing improv stuff during the show, as well as awesome dancing after.
WHEN: THIS FRIDAY 6/25
TIME: 8:00pm (Doors Open At 7)
WHERE: Shattuck Down Low (2284 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA)
TIX: www.getmortified.com/live
COST: $15 Presale / $20 at door
MORE INFO: www.getmortified.com
Category Announcements, Performance | Tags: berkeley,down low,get mortified,improv,mortified,mortifreeze,shannon dejong,shattuck | No Comments