Surprisingly Chipper

I stayed out way too late last night, especially since it was a Monday "school night." After only a few hours of sleep and a very large coffee, I threw myself into the day, starting with a very early 7 a.m. conference call. I should be groggy and cranky and very sleepy (and very well might be by the end of today), but for now, as my colleague says, I am feeling "surprisingly chipper."

Well, not surprisingly, to my mind: Last night my improv team (called, generically or mysteriously, "Team X") had it's first show at the newly remodeled and renamed M.i.'s Westside Comedy Theater. There was nothing generic or mysterious about our show. It was pure fun, and the audience laughed with every step of the way. We had a blast.

I loved playing on this stage with my teammates - everyone was prepared and ready to go. We shared the stage equally without resorting to crazy antics or one-upsmanship. We trusted each other and committed to each moment with energy & vigor. We were real, and truthful, keeping every scene grounded in relationships and emotions. As a peformer, this is the good stuff: Everything I've learned as an improviser and an actor, and everything our team has rehearsed together culminated in a debut show that felt energetic, fun and electric. And we can't wait to get our there again!

I began this stage of my journey as a voiceover student hoping to learn a few improv tricks to build up my VO chops. I ended up falling in love with the discipline as another form of performance art. And I'm so glad to be a part of both worlds, and grateful that I am able to practice this craft with such a talented group. After a debut like last night's, can you blame me for being "surprisingly chipper?"