Improv and Improv-ing are Inseparable

Improv is for everyone. Whether your an actor on the stage or an audience member, it's a ton of fun.

Here's what improv does for actors. Improv stretches us beyond the script, mostly because no script exists, and therefore we're forced to be organic in our performances. We also have to develop the "where" so much more than usual to be interesting. Developing the "where" is key so many times when actors walk in to an audition with a camera, a camera operator and space with little or no furniture.

Improv also demands being present, thinking quickly, and reacting to your partner(s). If you work at it, you can develop your trust in your own instincts. You must, however, be focused on your partner to make the scene work. You have to work together. It's a team sport!

Also, if you have a good teacher, you'll find out where you need to improve. In most cases, your weaknesses will be glaring and there will be little need for guessing. However, if you do the work and fail, fail, fail eventually you'll have fun, fun, fun. Yes, I said fail. We learn more from our failures than our successes. That's why improv is inseparable from improv-ing.

I'm in class for another 7 weeks with Donovan Scott and can highly recommend him. If you'd like to see what happens at the end of his 11 week workshop, stop by one of our free workshop showcase performances on June 25th @ 6p &/or 8p @ NoHo Arts Center on 11136 Magnolia just east of Lankershim. We're going to have a ball. Come join us!

My best,
Sarah Jean

A Cup of Coffee & Forest Whitaker

If you’ve read some of my blogs earlier this year, then you know I’ve given up caffeine and that it had been quite a struggle for me. I’ve basically kicked the habit, but now, every once in a while I go get a cup of java at my favorite Starbucks. It’s my favorite because it’s close to work and home and I know all the staff there.

This week has been particularly long. So, a friend and I made our way to Starbucks earlier this morning. As we’re standing in line, I’m reacquainting myself with some of the staff and enjoying their conversation. My friend looks at me and says, “I’m going to go talk to Forest Whitaker. I’ll be back.” I said, “What?!” and looked where she was looking. Nearly in disbelief, I said, “Will you wait for me? I’d like to go, too.” So we ordered our drinks and in the meantime someone else had come up to him to talk about last night’s fight on television.

My friend interrupted the conversation and told Forest that she loved his work and then pulled the other guy’s attention so I could talk to Forest. My friend is very giving in that way. Any way, I spoke with Forest and said I was an actor for 10 years. I don’t know why since it has been longer, but any way, I asked if it had been a good year and if he’d been offered jobs due to his recent success. He spoke a bit saying he was just writing an email talking about his next job. He spoke a bit more and then I asked if I could shake his hand. Tears welled up in my eyes and I still have no thoughts about why that is. I’ve met other stars, but none have caused this reaction in me. He feels so humble and so kind. I told him that I was really, really happy for him and then I excused myself. I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable and needed to get back to my day job any way.

You just don’t know how people may affect you and you don’t know how you’ll affect other people either. I feel very fortunate that my friend needed a cup of coffee today. Occasionally, I get a cup of coffee now, but I’m still basically off caffeine. Usually if I get a coffee it’s decaf, too. Today, I’m glad for that cup of coffee because I got to meet Forest Whitaker. It’s one of those brief meetings I’ll never forget.