Berkshire Soul

RBIT at the Spectrum.
Courtesy Spectrum Playhouse. All rights reserved.

Happy summer solstice! It's a beautiful, sunny day here in the Berkshires, and I thought I would take some time out to share another update.

There's a lot happening here in the Berkshires this weekend— most notably, Wilco's Solid Sound Festival at MASS MoCA. I had the good fortune of attending and covering the event a couple years ago, and it was a blast—great fusion of music, art, good vibes... I won't be attending this year, but I'll try and post some more of my experiences working on the 2011 festival in the coming weeks.

I will, however, be performing again tonight with the Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe. It is our last gig of the season and honestly, I think we could use the break... get refocused and audition for some new members (contact me or the group if interested). If you're in the area, tonight's show is 7:30 p.m. at the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, Massachusetts (can't thank these guys enough for their hospitality over the last couple years). 

Also worth checking out in the Berkshires, of course, is Norman Rockwell Museum. Our exhibition, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic is a real treat, as is seeing our permanent collection of Norman Rockwell artwork. Below is an interview I gave a couple weeks ago to WGGB, the ABC station in Springfield, Massachusetts, to help promote the Museum. Turned out pretty good, even though the audio sync appears off and you see me swatting some flies at the beginning of the piece (the fact that I was being interviewed by a former Miss Connecticut made it slightly more bearable). Fast forward to about 12:27 to view the segment:

Speaking of interviews, if you're in Boston this Saturday, you can hear me on WBZ Radio's  New England Weekend, talking up the Snow White exhibit. The segment should air around 7 a.m.

Well, that's about it... just got back from lunch at Baba Louie's Pizza in Great Barrington (another Berkshire favorite), so before I fall into a food coma I better get back to work. Happy Summer, everyone.

Spring Awakening

©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Hi there. I know... I've been away from this blog for awhile. My bad. Things have gotten busy, but I hope to find more time to update you on my latest projects... even if it's just a quick note. Still have an eye on the big prize, which is what this blog is really all about.

Today I took the day off for some spring cleaning. Continuing the move from the Hudson Valley to our new digs in Schenectady... still a lot to be sorted, but things are coming along. 

In my last post I talked about my improv group, and how things were in a bit of transitionary period. Well, I'm happy to announce that we've gained surprising momentum, with some relatively new members adding to the enjoyment of carrying the group on... I mean, three straight weeks of rehearsals... imagine that! We're trying out some new things, and it is feeling good. 

This Thursday, May 16, we will try something entirely new− an event called PechaKucha, which is being held at The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. For those not familiar, PechaKucha was started in Japan in the 2000s and is basically a presentation of 20 slides, shown for 20 seconds each (six minutes 40 seconds in total... a Powerpoint rep's dream!). The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe has been invited to try its hand at some improv using the format... here's the catch: we won't know what slides are coming up, so it will be true improv. Of course I appreciate the visual end of things, and know from my experience creating media design over the past few years that there are a lot of crazy images out there! Show starts at 7 p.m., and there will be free adult beverages... so you can't lose.

RBIT rocks the Berkshires, 2013! Photo by Dan McManmon.
Courtesy Spectrum Playhouse. All rights reserved.

The next evening, May 17, I will return with RBIT to the Spectrum Playhouse for our monthly show, starting at 7:30 p.m. I have to give big props to the Spectrum for being most accommodating for us... the space has been great for shows and rehearsals, and they like us so much they already have us on tap for June and into the fall... it's funny... Lee, Massachusetts was never quite that exciting when I lived in the area, but cool to see the progression all the same.

Anyway, nice to have the outlet. Apart from that, I've been taking a lot of cool photos lately, and hope to share some of those with you soon. Ok, back to cleaning... and I promise I'll return here soon... xo

Related Links:

RBIT's Triple Crown Weekend, www.berkshireimprov.com

The Best Medicine?

What a difference a week makes. Last Monday morning who could have predicted the events that would transpire in the days ahead? The Boston Marathon bombing... Senate vote on gun control... the Texas fertilizer plant explosion... oy. Hard to find much to laugh about, yet last week also marked my return to performing with the Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe, and we had our first rehearsal on the same day we all learned about the bombing.

The Berkshires are not that far from Boston, and over the last ten years I have made frequent trips to Beantown... I have some truly fond memories, both personal and professional, and would certainly count it as one of my favorite cities. So it was unnerving to learn about this attack on a city with such charm and history, during a public event that has come to symbolize such good will.



As an event, the Marathon is also about endurance and triumphing over adversity. Keeping this theme in mind, the city of Boston certainly honored the victims of this tragedy. Last Friday was surreal, as I drove to work and heard news about the manhunt for the bombing suspects and subsequent lockdown of the area. All day long we were glued to the internet or TV trying to keep up on the latest of this very tense ordeal...

Photo courtesy and © Spectrum Playhouse. All rights reserved.

So as the evening rolled around, it was something of a release to join my improv comrades for our show at Lee's Spectrum Playhouse. It's odd... I remember starting RBIT over twelve years ago, right after September 11th, and there was something similarly poignant back then about being able to soldier on in the midst of darkened skies...


I haven't been to a RBIT rehearsal or gig in a few months, and there were a few changes. First, our friend and co-founder Frank La Frazia has moved to Brooklyn to further pursue his career. This meant filling the leadership role which he had provided for most of the last decade. I decided to step up and host the show, which was a new experience... not something I have done too often in this context, but it felt good. We had a meeting this past weekend to talk about the future of the group and it seems there is a desire to keep moving forward.

Waving goodbye to our friend Frank. Photo courtesy and
©Spectrum Playhouse. All rights reserved.

At this point, if I am to remain active with the group, I need to be able to take it to the next level as a performer. I have been checking out some performances recently with Schenectady's resident improv group, The Mop & Bucket Company— these guys certainly know their stuff... dipping into long-form improv, and benefitting from a fairly seamless presentation of their performances. 


My fellow improv buddy Paul and I decided to take one of their open drop-in classes, and it was nice to get some outside feedback on how to strengthen our improvisational skills. The best piece of advice: jump into scenes without knowing what you're going to do. I tend to want to come up with the most clever lines, but that's not what this is about... it's more about being instinctual and truthful, which I understand... it is challenging, but most definitely funny seeing actors react in the moment and try to figure it all out.

Courtesy and ©Spectrum Playhouse.
All rights reserved.

So in the midst of all this uncertainty, our Friday show went great. It felt a bit more spontaneous, while still having the benefit of good rehearsal to support an underlying structure. I think I could actually keep at this for a little while, as long as the rest of the group stays committed... they seem to be. And so we move on... until the next big challenge... unavoidable, but not necessarily insurmountable. 

Post-show, as we celebrated at a nearby pub, news came over one of the TV screens that the second bombing suspect had finally been caught. It was pretty wild how in this new technological age things had been "resolved" so quickly... of course I feel for the friends and families of the victims, who are left with the task of finding some kind of peace...

Related Link:

www.berkshireimprov.com

A Little Help From My Friends

Getting ready to head to Pittsfield, MA, to join The Royal Berkshire Improv (RBIT) at the ITAM Lodge for a show to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Berkshire County. Laughs, dinner, and an auction to support a good cause! This will be my last show with the troupe for awhile, as I am busy preparing for my March show with Schenectady Civic Players. In the meantime, here's a couple fun photos I received from the Spectrum Playhouse (RBIT's official Berkshire venue) today. We had taken some fun, promotional shots a few weeks ago— what, us ham it up for the camera?

Photos courtesy Spectrum Playhouse. All rights reserved.

www.berkshireimprov.com

Kick Off!

So how has 2013 been treating you so far? I've been doing alright. 

Image courtesy Schenectady Civic Players.

I have been busy preparing for my role in the play, Woman in Mind, which will be presented at The Schenectady Civic Players next month (March 15-17, 20-24). Man, that doesn't seem like a lot of time, but we are already busy with rehearsals and I'm trying to memorize my lines. I actually have to speak in a British accent, so my wife's obsession with Downton Abbey has come in handy.

On the topic of performing, I am also scheduled to join The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe this upcoming Thursday, February 7, for an event at the Italian Itam Lodge in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The show is a benefit for the Berkshire affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and will include dinner, a raffle, Chinese auction and cash bar. Join us for a night of laughs, and help support a good cause! For more details, visit NAMI Berkshire County's website. 

Spidey love. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Things continue to be busy for me at Norman Rockwell Museum. We're in the home stretch for the Heroes & Villains: The Comic Book Art of Alex Ross exhibition, but that hasn't stopped the interest from press (wish we could continue this show for a few more months!). A couple weeks ago I conducted an interview about the exhibit with the Springfield, Massachusetts PBS station WGBY, for their show Connecting Point. I enjoyed giving a tour of the show and background on Alex Ross' work− the segment is scheduled to air this Wednesday, February 6, and should be available on the station's website soon after. I see that Marvel Comics has also given the show a plug on their site, which includes a photo of yours truly dressed up in my Spidey suit! I am supposed to be reprising my role as the webslinger during our upcoming February school vacation week, February 18-22... I'm look forward to it, but hope the weather holds up (it can be a bit drafty in my Spidey threads!).

In addition to being Super Bowl Sunday, they just aired a nice segment on CBS Sunday Morning in celebration of Norman Rockwell's 119th birthday. Last week I spent time helping one of their producers gather video and still materials for the piece... it's ironic that I spend so much of my time at the Museum helping out other crews, but I certainly have enough insight into what they need to help secure some nice promotion for us. On that note, TV Tokyo is supposed to be airing their show Bi no Kyojin Tachi (Great Masters of Art) this Friday, February 8, which includes an interview they conducted with me last year about Norman Rockwell's work. 

Phew... so that's the latest. Still getting great feedback about my recent show for WEXT, and will let you know when there is a rebroadcast. Hello February...

Related Links:

Schenectady Civic Players

Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe

Facebook: Norman Rockwell Museum

Dream Myself Alive

Thank God it's third Friday... that means it's time for another gig with the Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe! This is our first show of what looks to be a busy year, with new faces and venues to liven things up. Tonight's show is once again at the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, MA, starting at 7:30 p.m. Come in from the cold and enjoy some laughs on us... visit our website for information on more shows in the near future.

Also on the horizon, I have an exciting new theater venture I'm involved with in Schenectady. It's early days now, but I'll be sure to post more information soon. 

Promo on WEXT's website: exit977.org

The biggest news of the moment is that my A-ha tribute show is finally airing next Monday, January 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. (eastern time) on Albany, New York radio station WEXT! Chrysalis Dreams: 30 Years of A-ha will tell the story of the Norwegian band's interesting history (from a uniquely American perspective). If you're outside of the Capital Region you can tune into a live stream of the broadcast on the station's website (you might consider downloading their app as well, since there has been quite a bit of interest in the program already). While you're on their website, swing over to the WEXT home page and check out the nice write-up about the show... you can even enter to win a special prize (if you live in the area that is)! I'm very excited about this broadcast, and looking forward to catching up listeners on the band's long and successful career--we'll look at groundbreaking videos, Guinness World Records, knighthood(!) and, of course, the music.

Related Links:

Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe website

"Chrysalis Dreams: 30 Years of A-ha," WEXT website

New Year, New Laughs

One of the very positive things about this past year has been my return to performing with The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe. In addition to offering me a rather flexible opportunity (time and physicality) to further hone my performing skills, it also has reconnected me with some of my dearest friends−old and new!

I'm happy to announce that I will be continuing with the group in the new year, and we already have several promising gigs booked for the next two months. Do stop by and see us if you're in the Berkshires and looking for a laugh (where else would you go, right?). Here are the dates planned so far:

RBIT... we even do weddings! Photo by John Whipple. All rights reserved.

The Spectrum Playhouse, Lee, MA

Friday, January 18, 2013, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

UNICO Dinner: NAMI Fundraiser, Featuring RBIT

ITAM, Pittsfield, MA

Thursday, February 7, 2013, 6 - 8 p.m.

The Spectrum Playhouse, Lee, MA

Friday, February 15, 2013, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

10 X 10 Festival

The Garage at the Colonial Theatre, 111 South Street, Pittsfield, MA

Sunday, February 24, 2013, 3 – 4:30 p.m.

Making our partners look good... since 2001.

Show Must Go On...

Last night's Morrissey show was cool. It turns out our second row seats were actually first row, so we had an amazing view of the stage (and old Moz himself)! It was a late night, and I'm already feeling a little rough from some allergies... but we have an improv show tonight, so I'm going to try and pull myself together to perform.

There was a crazy article recently in The Onion, the satirical newspaper that always manages to strike a nerve. This time it was about improv, titled "Everyone in Improv Troupe Balding." The scary thing is... the photo sort of resembled certain RBIT members (I had to check the back of my head to make sure there weren't any new developments!). Anyway, rather amusing... commentary on struggling, aging actors, with one more thing to worry about. I'm sure Morrissey would have a chuckle...

www.berkshireimprov.com

Weekend Update

Our improv show went well on Friday night. The rehearsal earlier in the week helped, and we had a full house (which always helps). It was Lee's Founders Day Weekend, so there was a lot happening in the town... in fact, my in-laws came out to see the show, and were impressed by the energy of the town... kind of funny, since it seemed so dead when I lived there. Regarding the show, some of my fellow improv mates seem newly inspired, which is great--it made me all the more motivated to give a great performance. Of course, with improv you can get anything, so there's no way to predict how a show will go... but this one was good- I think we're getting better at telling stories and listening to each other.

Photo ©Jeremy Clowe for Norman Rockwell
Museum. All rights reserved.

This afternoon Sarah and I trekked back out to the Berkshires to help out at the Girl Scouts Festival being held at Norman Rockwell Museum in honor of the 100 year anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. I basically took photos all day to document the event, which was fun and challenging at the same time. I have felt a little inspired by our wedding photographer's work, and trying to take a few cues from things I observed him doing with his photography. There was watercolor painting on the outdoor campus (leaves are starting to change), horse grooming and tricks (a live horse jumping hurdles), and an actress who portrayed Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low. Sarah was a long-time girl scout, so I was happy to have her join me, and interested in learning more about her times with the service organization. 

Tonight we packed... getting ready to move, and we still have a ways to go. Tomorrow I finally have a true day off... looking forward to it after a long, exhausting week.

Royal Beserkshires

Last night's show with the Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe went well−it was my first post-wedding, a fact that was duly noted in the opening introduction (I think Sarah was the only audience member to get kissed by a member of the Troupe last night... well, make that all members!). We tried out a couple new games, got to know a new troupe member, and played to an enthusiastic crowd−I think we would be even tighter with more regular rehearsals. It is nice what the Student Educational Development Fund is doing for my old town of Lee, and I am happy to be contributing as one of the regular performers of the Berkshire Visual and Performing Arts Center. 

Speaking of performing arts in the Berkshires, we're heading back to the Berks tonight to catch a hip-hop dance company called Compagnie Käfig perform at Jacob's Pillow. This looks promising:

Jacob's Pillow is the reason I ended up in the Berkshires... long story (good and bad), but it's worked out... found my dancing partner!

Photos by Sarah Clowe for Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe. All rights reserved.

Monkey Barrel

More fun! Improv comedy tonight at Spectrum Playhouse, Lee, MA. 7:30 p.m.

Photo by Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Great Performances

Photo by John Whipple. All rights reserved.

I submitted an inquiry today for a commercial being filmed in the Capital Region. They requested a head shot, so I sent one of my wedding photos... why not? Yesterday was our one-month anniversary!

On the topic of performing, I'm doing my first post-wedding improv gig tomorrow night with RBIT- 7:30 p.m. at the Spectrum Playhouse, Lee, MA--should be fun... now I'm doing improv for two!

Getting To Know You

Left to right: CTSB host Olga May Millgan, cameraman Leo Mahoney,
and the J. Clowe Experience at Norman Rockwell Museum.
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

This morning found me back in front of the camera, doing an interview with TV host Olga May Milligan for her CTSB-TV program, Getting To Know You. Conducted at Norman Rockwell Museum, I filled her in our latest programs and exhibitions, including Howard Pyle: American Master Rediscovered and Norman Rockwell: Sports! For the latter exhibition, we have Rockwell's old bicycle on display, and Milligan actually remembers seeing the famed artist ride it around town back in the day, as a break from working long hours in his studio. Olga is a sweet lady of British origin (she even brought me a wedding card!), and she was joined by my buddy Leo Mahoney, who is the station manager at CTSB, where I work and volunteer part-time. The show should be airing in the next few weeks and might even be available online--details to come.


I certainly feel comfortable in front of the camera... and on stage. Last night while I was running the treadmill at my gym, I happened to catch the new ABC-TV show Trust Us With Your Life, which reunites many of the old improv players from Whose Line Is It Anyway? On this new show, hosted by actor Fred Willard, comedians Wayne Brady, Colin Mochrie, and Jonathan Mangum act out scenes in the life of guest celebrities. Last night's premiere featured tennis star Serena Williams, and there were some hilarious moments recreating a time when she broke a piggybank as a child--I saw many similarities to the games I perform with the Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe, but the "this is your life" element was a fun twist. The show looks very promising... I found myself grinning on a number of occasions while watching--Brady and Mochrie, in particular, are hysterical-- very quick and smart--there was one great scene where they lie on the floor, and the camera made it look like they were playing tennis... funny, clever stuff. jack and Kelly Osbourne (Ozzy's kids) were the celebrities featured in the second half-hour.


Watching this show makes me anxious to get back to performing with RBIT again... during our last show, one of the young kids who helps us out with tech learned about my wedding and honeymoon... he became very concerned, wondering what I was going to do because I have a show next Friday, July 20? Bless his heart. I won't be joining them, but you can indeed catch RBIT next Friday at the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, Massachusetts, or this Friday, July 13, at the Freightyard Pub in North Adams, MA. And don't worry... the J.Clowe Experience will be back... performing seems to be in my blood... bloody good, that!


Related Links:


"Trust Us With Your Life" official website
www.ctsbtv.org
Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe 

Laughing Matter

Oh dear. I opened up Facebook last night to find that I have become this summer's poster boy for the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, Massachusetts. Here is a banner they are using on their page to promote the Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe's monthly shows... yikes...! Where is my stylist when I need her? 

If I didn't know better, I might think this was an ad promoting spoken word poetry (speaking of which...). I guess I should just be flattered that they thought enough of my comedic stylings to feature me on the main page--it's true, I have enjoyed my return to improv world. 


RBIT's summer shows at the Spectrum will take place this Friday, June 15; July 20; and August 17; at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door, and can be reserved by contacting the theater at 413.394.5023, ext. 12. The troupe will also be performing at the very cool Freight Yard Pub and Restaurant up in North Adams on Fridays, July 13, and August 10. Grab a bite, drink, and be merry with my fellow makers of mischief. I know I won't make the July gigs, but I might stick around for this Friday's show... I can't let my fans down, can I?


Related Links:


www.berkshireimprov.com


Third Saturday Comedy Improv Nights with RBIT, Berkshire Visual & Performing Arts Center

Into the Wild Blue Yonder!

Blue-eyed soul here... wishing everyone a happy weekend!

17 Mai, 2010. Moods of Norway, Beverly Hills.
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Related Links:

RBIT improv show tonight, May 18, 7:30 p.m. Spectrum Playhouse, Lee, MA

WEXT My Exit show, May 20, 10 a.m.

North Korean musicians take on Norway... again, Washington Post, May 17, 2012 

Improv Berkshires

This afternoon I represented the Museum during a PR event at Mass MoCA. I worked from home in Schenectady in the morning, and then drove directly to the inspired contemporary art museum located in North Adams, Massachusetts. It was quite a pretty drive--lush, green hills enveloping my ride on either side. 

I also had a chance to get a quick peek inside the galleries of the museum's converted factory building. North Adams has a cool energy, with a strong visual arts scene anchored by MoCA.


It seems a little less pretentious than some areas of the county, and probably a little more hip to young visitors.

My improv group used to rehearse/perform each week in North Adams at the old Main Street Stage. I used to enjoy heading out there. Coincidentally, after the meeting I drove back to Lee, Massachusetts to rehearse for our show being held at the town's Spectrum Playhouse tomorrow, May 18, at 7:30 p.m. 

This will be an interesting event, as we are teaming up with another improv group called Jellyfish, which is based in the Pioneer Valley. After RBIT performs some of its "hits," Jellyfish will be doing some long-form improv, which I am interested in seeing. We have started to play around with this format (a game called "follow the leaver," where the scene is changed each time an actor leaves the stage) and will attempt to team up with Jellyfish for a musical long-form at the end of the event. We'll see how it goes... I think it will be good for us to challenge ourselves, and see what insight we can gain from other performers.

More details about tomorrow's event can be found at our website: 

www.berkshireimprov.com

Photos taken at Mass MoCA/North Adams. Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

This one goes up to 11!

RBIT getting musical at the Spectum Playhouse. 
Left to right: Dave Thrasher, Barb Cardillo, Jeremy C., 
and Neil Von Flatern. Photo courtesy RBIT.

My buddy Frank and I were reminiscing last night about how long our improv group has been together... he remembers the time when the group had to decide whether or not to perform the day after 9/11 for a previously scheduled show for group of tourists to the Berkshires (they did by request of the group). I remember joining the group around that same time, not long after I had moved to the Berkshires and found the group's wacky faces staring at me from a front page story in the local newspaper. My other friend and fellow improviser Lisa observed today that June 2012 marks the 11th anniversary of The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe (RBIT)--that's an impressive feat, which says a lot about the dedication and friendship that has kept the group going strong for so long.

The Berkshire Advocate has a nice article in this week's paper (written by journalist Jeremy D. Goodwin) about the ten years that RBIT has been together. I was interviewed for the piece, along with the group's co-founders, Frank La Frazia and Alexia Trainor. Here I am quoted about the great creative benefits that can arise from doing improv:

"You go back to when you were a kid and at the playground, just making up stories and adventures. It’s good fun. And you kind of lose that as you get older. It’s going back to a certain sense of play."

I do think improv helps you not only as an actor, but also in life: taking chances, listening to others, working as a team, and learning to be "in the moment."

I look forward to many more moments to come... RBIT has been a decade-long collaboration and friendship that I am proud to be a part of... we're kind of hilarious too!

Related Links:

"Improv troupe going strong after 10 years of laughter," The Advocate Weekly, April 25, 2012

www.berkshireimprov.com

Out There

Another day in the Berkshires...

Stockbridge, MA. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe, Earth.
All rights reserved.

Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe performance, tonight, April 20, 7:30 p.m.

For more information:

www.berkshireimprov.com

The Art of Improv

RBIT get their "dance on." Photo courtesy Student Educational Development Fund. 
All rights reserved.

Man, there's a lot going on right now... more than enough to do. Tomorrow I have another gig with The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe (RBIT) at the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, MA. (show starts at 7:30 p.m.). We had a rehearsal tonight, and it was good fun--after a week of dealing with technology, it was nice to "unplug" and get my improv on. 

Actually, I had a strange sense of déjà vu last Sunday, when my video art instructor gave us a list of different words and emotions to go try to find on the streets of Troy, New York. We had about a half an hour or so to go shoot footage to represent the concepts--It was the same idea as improv--don't think about it too much, go with your gut feeling, etc. I found it challenging to work with these familiar ideas in a different medium! For the list of words I chose "winning," and represented it with, among other things, a couple walking past a series of engagement ring ads, and a demolished building standing beside a newer structure. Troy serve as an excellent study in the art of winning and losing. No offense, Trojans... but the city has seen better days. The arts scene is picking up, but this used to be a city known for its manufacturing industry. For an emotion, I chose "love"--one idea I had was to duck into a very fragrant flower shop I passed by, and do a sweeping pan of the room... really, I think the idea of the class is to get even more "abstract" and "feeling" than literal--exactly the challenge I was looking for.  

RBIT continues to be a great exercise in itself--working with a team, listening, and trusting your impulse. Like singing, it is fun to just breathe, respond and take it in. I think our new group is starting to just "chill out" and not try to force the funny. I was actually interviewed for a local paper today about the group for an upcoming article, and I related how improv has taught me some very useful skills... not only for performing, but life in general... I believe it's called being "in the moment."

Those interested in a little "off the cuff" comedy are in luck this weekend--in addition to tomorrow's show, RBIT will be performing back out in North Adams, MA (where it all began!) on Saturday, April 21. The show will be taking place at Mill City Productions, the city's newest theater venue. Due to other engagements (including my engagement), I will only be doing tomorrow's show... but I guarantee it will both evenings should be more fun than a barrel of funky monkeys.

Ok, time to go catch some zzzz's, and rest up for busy weekend... 

RBIT website: www.berkshireimprov.com

Garage Rockin'

Channeling those good improv vibes at our last show,
March 16, 2012. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Tonight RBIT truly became a garage band. Due to a scheduling conflict, we had to move our rehearsal to my fellow improviser Dave's house. It was a little chilly in his open door garage (or "gair-age" as he says it-- he's British) but we started to generate some heat once we began playing games. So, a half-time exercise where Dave and I were a father and son who tried to fix a broken down car (check the hood... or "bonnet"), a rotating scene game called Four Square, and a Beastie Boys-style rap or two. We also talked about dojng more long-form shows, which would be a fun challenge.

Our next show will be on Friday, April 20, at the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, MA. That will be followed by RBIT's return to North Adams, MA, on April 21 at Mill City Productions. We used to perform out that way every week at the old Main Street Stage (where I was a company member), and I have many fond, hilarious memories... I'll post more details on upcoming performances soon.