November 5, 2007

• Touched by Uncle Butterface

  Shaun and I had our end-of-class improv show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre last night: it was a blast.

  The fun began even before stage time, when we were in the greenroom trying on different names for our troupe (we wouldn’t want to go out as “Improv Class 101″, now would we?). Our troupe was torn between two names: The Butterfaces and Touched by an Uncle. For those who don’t know, a Butterface is what asshole frat boys will say about a lady when they think she has a nice body and an ugly face. And Touched by an Uncle is like that horrid show, Touched by an Angel, but  nastified for your enjoyment. Personally, I liked a combination of the two: Touched by Uncle Butterface. I think we settled on The Butterfaces, though. There’s nothing like a debate over nonsense to get your evening off to the right start.

  After a few warm ups (I love the warm ups!), the Butterfaces were announced and it was time to go onstage and ask the audience for a suggestion. With the suggestion in mind, three of us went out individually and delivered related monologues. Then the group performed made-up-on-the-spot sketches based on the themes of the monologues.

  During our 40 minutes of fame, Shaun was Jesus. I gave a hamster as a housewarming gift (“what a very permanent gift!”). Phoebe was barren. Michelle left her husband for the house pet. Valerie had chronic hiccups. Not all of the skits were good. It’s Improv 101! But they were fun. And that’s why we were all there in the first place.

  One of my favorite sketches of the night went something like this:

  Player 1 [female - aka: me] comes onstage crying. Player 2 [male] follows.
  Player 2: [sympathizing] Yep, it’s Tuesday.
  Player 1: It’s not that. [beat.] It happened again.
  Player 2: Again?
  Player 1: It had only been a few days since the last feeding!
  Player 2: [Puts his arm around her, consoling.] Don’t worry, babe. We can get another.
  Player 1: But I can’t possibly have another baby!
  Blackout.

  Ha! Perhaps you had to be there? Regardless, I get a kick out of playing Deranged Housewife/Stepford Gone Wrong. Very fun.

  After the show, we all went out to a neighborhood dive bar. It was great to take time outside of class to get to know everyone better. I think I’m coming away from the class with two people that will migrate from “class friends” to “regular friends,” which is grand. Everyone in the class is goofy and fun and eager to tell stories; it was a pleasure to work with all of them. Little do they know that, during the hideous stress of October, Saturday improv class is what kept Shaun and I sane. The class forced us to set aside a block of time for laughter, creative thinking, and hanging out with hilarious people. It was exactly what was needed. And it really seemed to help with generating ideas quickly, helping us to write faster (very important when your main marketable skill is writing). Also – there’s no better confidence booster than making other people laugh. And during interviews, confident is what you need to be.

  Anyhow, no news on the job front. But I’ve got a good feeling about this week.

  Shaun’s got another interview lined up for next Tuesday; he should hear back soon from a different interview that he went on about a week ago. I have two appointments tomorrow with temp agencies; I need to get a better assignment than last time. No more telefundraising for me.

  So, we’ll see. I’m happy to temp until I find the right fit. I just need to start on something now. For my own sanity more than anything.
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  What healthy activity do you partake in to keep sane and happy?

  • 10:49 am
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