By Sonnjea Blackwell
Wow, it's a gorgeous day in the LBC. The boss is off filming for 3 Square this weekend (I'll be helping out tomorrow), we don't have an Intro to Improv Comedy Class today (it starts next Saturday), and there are no Held2gether improv shows this weekend (next Friday night is Confessions of a Soccer Mom at Elise's Tea Room for First Fridays Bixby Knolls).
So what's a girl to do on a lovely spring day with NOOOOOO improv on the agenda? Well, I could work in my yard, or do some of that other work I do that I get paid for, or nap all day. All decent options, actually.
But instead, I'll tell you a couple of short tales. Cuz, you know, that's just how I roll. First, yesterday Darren and I had a nice lunch meeting with a nice man from a nice charity we'll be doing a benefit show or two for (more details when they're firmer). But the point of the story isn't that we're doing something nice for a worthy charity. No, the point is the nice man said he was excited to have us bring our younger dynamic to their event, because most of their people are "middle age - you know, in their 40s," so it would be nice to have us because we're younger. We should've used our improv skills and just said, "Yes, and we love to work with elderly folks like 40-year-olds." But, as those of you who know us are already aware, we are vain. So we told the nice man our actual ages so we could hear him exclaim, "Oh, my goodness! Wow, I never would've guessed! You look MUCH younger."
Oh, what? Like you wouldn't do the same! Sheesh. At least I didn't make him feel my abs.
Second, I just want to point out that the Level 2 class is full-o-rooni. I just made that word up right now, FYI. Anyway. The Intro classes are filling fast, too. The Saturday class starts one week from today, May 7th. The Tuesday class starts Tuesday, May 10th. There are only a few spaces in each class left, so don't dilly-dally. Register at the Held2gether website! And if you do, maybe I'll let you feel my abs.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Don't Shoot!
By Sonnjea Blackwell
Today I'm going to put up posters and flyers around Bixby Knolls and Cal Heights, advertising Held2gether improv classes and shows in Long Beach. I did a few yesterday, but I didn't have time to do all of them because I have other jobs that actually pay me in U.S. currency rather than unicorns and every so often I have to do work for them. Weird.
Anyway. Sometimes I psych myself out about the flyer thing because it entails going into businesses (most of which I don't frequent as a customer) and asking the owners if I can use their windows for my own advertising purposes. In my head, this is an enormous imposition and I'm fortunate the people don't shoot me on the spot.
Yes, okay, there are a few things in my head that defy explanation. In my defense, all of my jobs - paying and otherwise - depend on my imagination. Fortunately, it's quite vivid. Unfortunately, sometimes it runs amok.
In reality, of course, the worst thing that can happen is someone might say, "No, you can't put your awesome Confessions of a Soccer Mom poster in our window." And even that almost never happens.
What usually happens is people tell me how terrific the poster is. They ask about improv. We talk about how incredible First Fridays has gotten to be. Because people are generally nice, if you give them a chance. And even more than that, people enjoy being helpful. It makes them feel useful and important and it gives them a chance to do something nice for someone.
Which is where you come in. I hate to impose, but I was wondering if you would mind very much "Liking" the Held2gether Facebook page? Thanks! I know most of you have liked it already, so thank you, too.
And thank you for not shooting me. Really.
Today I'm going to put up posters and flyers around Bixby Knolls and Cal Heights, advertising Held2gether improv classes and shows in Long Beach. I did a few yesterday, but I didn't have time to do all of them because I have other jobs that actually pay me in U.S. currency rather than unicorns and every so often I have to do work for them. Weird.
Anyway. Sometimes I psych myself out about the flyer thing because it entails going into businesses (most of which I don't frequent as a customer) and asking the owners if I can use their windows for my own advertising purposes. In my head, this is an enormous imposition and I'm fortunate the people don't shoot me on the spot.
Yes, okay, there are a few things in my head that defy explanation. In my defense, all of my jobs - paying and otherwise - depend on my imagination. Fortunately, it's quite vivid. Unfortunately, sometimes it runs amok.
In reality, of course, the worst thing that can happen is someone might say, "No, you can't put your awesome Confessions of a Soccer Mom poster in our window." And even that almost never happens.
What usually happens is people tell me how terrific the poster is. They ask about improv. We talk about how incredible First Fridays has gotten to be. Because people are generally nice, if you give them a chance. And even more than that, people enjoy being helpful. It makes them feel useful and important and it gives them a chance to do something nice for someone.
Which is where you come in. I hate to impose, but I was wondering if you would mind very much "Liking" the Held2gether Facebook page? Thanks! I know most of you have liked it already, so thank you, too.
And thank you for not shooting me. Really.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
How Did We Meet, Again?
By Sonnjea Blackwell
After getting a whopping 13 minutes of restful sleep last night (thanks, Natraj chai), it's iffy as to whether I'm going to be able to brush my teeth correctly, let alone think clearly enough to write a coherent blog post.
So instead of babbling idiotically, I was hoping you all could help me by answering a question. In keeping with Held2gether's theme of "improv for life" and focusing our classes and workshops towards regular people rather than the actor-y type of classes found in Hollyweird, we have always eschewed paid advertising and big marketing campaigns in favor of the guerilla method of getting the word out.
I said guerilla, not gorilla. Nobody in an ape costume is wandering the streets of Long Beach passing out flyers about improv comedy classes.
We do the Facebook thing, and the Twitter thing, and the YouTube thing. We post shows and classes on Craigs List and 562CityLife and LimelightLB and OC Back Page and EBay. We paste flyers up at our local coffee houses. We have a Yelp! page. We're listed in the LB Parks & Rec catalog.
Right, I know that wasn't a question. Sorry, I've been trained very well in NOT asking questions. How you could help me is by telling me how you first heard about H2G. Here's a little poll thingy to make answering easier (please scroll down and hit "submit" when you are finished). Thanks so much!
After getting a whopping 13 minutes of restful sleep last night (thanks, Natraj chai), it's iffy as to whether I'm going to be able to brush my teeth correctly, let alone think clearly enough to write a coherent blog post.
So instead of babbling idiotically, I was hoping you all could help me by answering a question. In keeping with Held2gether's theme of "improv for life" and focusing our classes and workshops towards regular people rather than the actor-y type of classes found in Hollyweird, we have always eschewed paid advertising and big marketing campaigns in favor of the guerilla method of getting the word out.
I said guerilla, not gorilla. Nobody in an ape costume is wandering the streets of Long Beach passing out flyers about improv comedy classes.
We do the Facebook thing, and the Twitter thing, and the YouTube thing. We post shows and classes on Craigs List and 562CityLife and LimelightLB and OC Back Page and EBay. We paste flyers up at our local coffee houses. We have a Yelp! page. We're listed in the LB Parks & Rec catalog.
Right, I know that wasn't a question. Sorry, I've been trained very well in NOT asking questions. How you could help me is by telling me how you first heard about H2G. Here's a little poll thingy to make answering easier (please scroll down and hit "submit" when you are finished). Thanks so much!
Improv Rules for Insomniacs
By Sonnjea Blackwell
Caffeine + too much sugar = Sonnjea up in the middle of the night, thinking about improv. Holy crap, Andy's right; I do have a problem!
I won't bore you with my issues, though. No reason for all of us to be disturbed.
Anyhoo. My thoughts were running along the lines of, "Should I add on to my tattoo?" And then I thought to myself, "Make it a statement." So I thought, "I should add on to my tattoo!" And then I thought, "Yes, and I think I'd like to color in the petals a cheery orange color." And then I thought, "What that means is I need to save up some money so I can afford to get it colored in." And finally, I thought, "What that means is I need to get some more freelance work."
Yeah, I definitely have a problem.
Caffeine + too much sugar = Sonnjea up in the middle of the night, thinking about improv. Holy crap, Andy's right; I do have a problem!
I won't bore you with my issues, though. No reason for all of us to be disturbed.
Anyhoo. My thoughts were running along the lines of, "Should I add on to my tattoo?" And then I thought to myself, "Make it a statement." So I thought, "I should add on to my tattoo!" And then I thought, "Yes, and I think I'd like to color in the petals a cheery orange color." And then I thought, "What that means is I need to save up some money so I can afford to get it colored in." And finally, I thought, "What that means is I need to get some more freelance work."
Yeah, I definitely have a problem.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Held2gether Improv In Your Living Room
By Sonnjea Blackwell
I know some of you are not fortunate enough to live in or around the LBC and, much as you may want to, just can't make it to see Held2gether improv shows. While we could argue the merits of packing up and leaving wherever it is you call home so you can move to our little Utopia here, it seems more practical to just give you a taste of what you've been missing. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: We're givers.
Since we can't come to you and do improv in your living room, you'll have to check us out on our YouTube page. It isn't fancy because I haven't fancied it up yet, but it does have over 80 Held2gether videos for your viewing pleasure. Trixie and the last Hot Java show will be up soonish as well!
We'd love it if you watch ALL of our videos several times. But we know you have lives, so you can feel free to watch ALL of our videos once or twice. See, we're totally reasonable.
Here's a sample. Yes, it's me. I happen to love this scene and I'm the one doing this blog so I get to choose. Enjoy!
I know some of you are not fortunate enough to live in or around the LBC and, much as you may want to, just can't make it to see Held2gether improv shows. While we could argue the merits of packing up and leaving wherever it is you call home so you can move to our little Utopia here, it seems more practical to just give you a taste of what you've been missing. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: We're givers.
Since we can't come to you and do improv in your living room, you'll have to check us out on our YouTube page. It isn't fancy because I haven't fancied it up yet, but it does have over 80 Held2gether videos for your viewing pleasure. Trixie and the last Hot Java show will be up soonish as well!
We'd love it if you watch ALL of our videos several times. But we know you have lives, so you can feel free to watch ALL of our videos once or twice. See, we're totally reasonable.
Here's a sample. Yes, it's me. I happen to love this scene and I'm the one doing this blog so I get to choose. Enjoy!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Don't Miss Out This Time!
By Sonnjea Blackwell
A lot of you have come up to me after the last couple of shows and said how freakin' hilarious Held2gether is. A couple of you have wistfully commented, "Wow, improv looks like so much fun."
Um, well... duh.
I don't mean that in an ornery way. I just mean, we're not that good of actors, people. It looks fun because it is fun. We are honestly having a blast up there. There's something so amazing about making people laugh their asses off by taking some simple suggestion they've given you and turning it into an infomercial or a movie or a scene about ice skaters with spindly legs. After a show, I feel like I've done my good deed for the week by making people happy.
And just so you know, Held2gether students aren't selfish! We want everyone to have as much fun as we have! That's why we're offering even MORE improv classes than ever before! It's time to sign up for the next round, so don't wait to register - last session's classes all maxxed out and some folks couldn't get in. We have Intro to Improv Comedy and Improv Comedy Level 2 classes starting the first week of May. There's a 1/2 day workshop in June, and the Improv Comedy for Teens workshop in July. You can register for all of them at the website, or email Darren for more information.
Life's too short to miss out on the fun, peeps!
A lot of you have come up to me after the last couple of shows and said how freakin' hilarious Held2gether is. A couple of you have wistfully commented, "Wow, improv looks like so much fun."
Um, well... duh.
I don't mean that in an ornery way. I just mean, we're not that good of actors, people. It looks fun because it is fun. We are honestly having a blast up there. There's something so amazing about making people laugh their asses off by taking some simple suggestion they've given you and turning it into an infomercial or a movie or a scene about ice skaters with spindly legs. After a show, I feel like I've done my good deed for the week by making people happy.
And just so you know, Held2gether students aren't selfish! We want everyone to have as much fun as we have! That's why we're offering even MORE improv classes than ever before! It's time to sign up for the next round, so don't wait to register - last session's classes all maxxed out and some folks couldn't get in. We have Intro to Improv Comedy and Improv Comedy Level 2 classes starting the first week of May. There's a 1/2 day workshop in June, and the Improv Comedy for Teens workshop in July. You can register for all of them at the website, or email Darren for more information.
Life's too short to miss out on the fun, peeps!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Ouch! Last Laugh Saturday Is Tomorrow!
By Sonnjea Blackwell
I started working out with a personal trainer today, which is apropos of nothing except that he worked my arms so hard it took me 42 minutes to type this sentence. So to give my poor triceps a break and save my keyboard from drowning in my tears, I'm not going to write a long blog post today. Instead, I'm just going to remind you of a few important points:
I started working out with a personal trainer today, which is apropos of nothing except that he worked my arms so hard it took me 42 minutes to type this sentence. So to give my poor triceps a break and save my keyboard from drowning in my tears, I'm not going to write a long blog post today. Instead, I'm just going to remind you of a few important points:
- Last Laugh Saturday is tomorrow night at Hot Java at 8 p.m. Get there early if you want a seat and/or if you want to write random sentences on bits of paper that I'll be passing out to use in Fish Bowl.
- Videos from the last Hot Java show are up at the Held2gether Facebook page and our YouTube page.
- We have an awesome special guest playing with us tomorrow night! Lisa from Trixie Keeps the Books fame will be doing the short form thing with us this time! Yay!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Gosh, We're Nice!
By Sonnjea Blackwell
We (and by "we," I mean "Darren") got an incredible compliment at the end of the Held2gether Level 2 improv class last Thursday night. A student who has improv experience elsewhere but is taking H2G classes for the first time told Darren that they've never been in an improv class, group, setting, what have you that was just so darn nice.
She wasn't referring to the venue. I mean, the Recreation Park social hall is spiffy and all. But she was talking about the people.
That's what's so special about H2G classes. They are made up of totally regular people, all from different walks of life and with different reasons for taking improv, but with the common denominator that they are all eager to learn improv and help support one another in that process.
As I mentioned in yesterday's brilliant post all about me, last week's class was the hard one where each person works on their weakness. Of course it's uncomfortable - who enjoys addressing their shortcomings, in improv or anything else? But every student gamely gave 110% in an effort to overcome those shortcomings, and the rest of the class cheered wildly and genuinely rooted for their classmates to succeed. And when Darren gave his always-uplifting-yet-honest critiques, every single student smiled while being told what they still needed to work on. No one argued, blamed their scene partner, pouted or insisted that "that's how they do it at [insert other improv school name here.]"
It's such a privilege to take classes with people who are so open and giving, who come to class after a hard day at work and still keep their energy up and their attitude positive, who welcome new people as if they've been there all along, who give the other students their undivided attention and the instructor their heartfelt respect, and who laugh and laugh and laugh.
So I just wanted to pass that compliment on to the rest of the Level 2 class. You guys are a wonderful group of people to work and play with, and you should be proud of yourselves. Muah!
We (and by "we," I mean "Darren") got an incredible compliment at the end of the Held2gether Level 2 improv class last Thursday night. A student who has improv experience elsewhere but is taking H2G classes for the first time told Darren that they've never been in an improv class, group, setting, what have you that was just so darn nice.
She wasn't referring to the venue. I mean, the Recreation Park social hall is spiffy and all. But she was talking about the people.
That's what's so special about H2G classes. They are made up of totally regular people, all from different walks of life and with different reasons for taking improv, but with the common denominator that they are all eager to learn improv and help support one another in that process.
As I mentioned in yesterday's brilliant post all about me, last week's class was the hard one where each person works on their weakness. Of course it's uncomfortable - who enjoys addressing their shortcomings, in improv or anything else? But every student gamely gave 110% in an effort to overcome those shortcomings, and the rest of the class cheered wildly and genuinely rooted for their classmates to succeed. And when Darren gave his always-uplifting-yet-honest critiques, every single student smiled while being told what they still needed to work on. No one argued, blamed their scene partner, pouted or insisted that "that's how they do it at [insert other improv school name here.]"
It's such a privilege to take classes with people who are so open and giving, who come to class after a hard day at work and still keep their energy up and their attitude positive, who welcome new people as if they've been there all along, who give the other students their undivided attention and the instructor their heartfelt respect, and who laugh and laugh and laugh.
So I just wanted to pass that compliment on to the rest of the Level 2 class. You guys are a wonderful group of people to work and play with, and you should be proud of yourselves. Muah!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Shut Up, Already!
By Sonnjea Blackwell
I forgot to tell you all a funny story. What can I say, I've had a lot on my plate getting ready for Trixie and making posters and web pages for the upcoming Held2gether Improv Comedy for Teens Workshop and cleaning my house for the Trixie after-party. Yeah, even drunk improvisors have some standards of cleanliness.
So anyway, last week at the Level 2 improv class was the night we do some kind of specialized work: some sessions Mr. Held has each person work on something specific they struggle with, like having big emotions, or adding information or being more physical; other times he does an against type exercise, where each person plays a character that's opposite of their usual.
This time around we did the against type thingy. Because all the men in this class are really sweet, we had a bunch of characters all night who were loud, obnoxious jerks. So funny to see these nice guys playing meanies. Oddly, none of the women had to play bitches. I guess that's not against type for us. Hmmmmm.
Anyway, my story revolves (as so many of my stories do) around, um, me. And what was "against type" for Sonnjea? Someone who doesn't talk much. Haha. When you're done snickering, I'll continue. It wasn't just to shut up, although that was part of it because I tend to vomit information and sometimes don't let my scene partners in. But when I did speak, I had to speak dramatically and physically and emotionally because even my so-called emotional reactions tend to be calm and casual. Like me. It was fun to do the overly dramatic part, but I really ended up saying a total of only five words, which was traumatic to say the least. Natalie did an awesome job of getting out all the information - and then some - and it was my job to just react. Of course, in a real scene we wouldn't play it so all-or-nothing, but it was a good exercise to illustrate how being your polar opposite can be fun AND funny.
Okay, I don't have a special message today about how improv will save the world. I mean, it will and all, but this was just a story about how Darren won't let me talk. You see what I have to put up with around here? Sheesh.
I forgot to tell you all a funny story. What can I say, I've had a lot on my plate getting ready for Trixie and making posters and web pages for the upcoming Held2gether Improv Comedy for Teens Workshop and cleaning my house for the Trixie after-party. Yeah, even drunk improvisors have some standards of cleanliness.
So anyway, last week at the Level 2 improv class was the night we do some kind of specialized work: some sessions Mr. Held has each person work on something specific they struggle with, like having big emotions, or adding information or being more physical; other times he does an against type exercise, where each person plays a character that's opposite of their usual.
This time around we did the against type thingy. Because all the men in this class are really sweet, we had a bunch of characters all night who were loud, obnoxious jerks. So funny to see these nice guys playing meanies. Oddly, none of the women had to play bitches. I guess that's not against type for us. Hmmmmm.
Anyway, my story revolves (as so many of my stories do) around, um, me. And what was "against type" for Sonnjea? Someone who doesn't talk much. Haha. When you're done snickering, I'll continue. It wasn't just to shut up, although that was part of it because I tend to vomit information and sometimes don't let my scene partners in. But when I did speak, I had to speak dramatically and physically and emotionally because even my so-called emotional reactions tend to be calm and casual. Like me. It was fun to do the overly dramatic part, but I really ended up saying a total of only five words, which was traumatic to say the least. Natalie did an awesome job of getting out all the information - and then some - and it was my job to just react. Of course, in a real scene we wouldn't play it so all-or-nothing, but it was a good exercise to illustrate how being your polar opposite can be fun AND funny.
Okay, I don't have a special message today about how improv will save the world. I mean, it will and all, but this was just a story about how Darren won't let me talk. You see what I have to put up with around here? Sheesh.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Make It a Statement!
By Sonnjea Blackwell
Okay, I learned some stuff from this interesting Tina Fey interview on NPR that my friend and fellow improv-er, Lisa, sent me.
First of all, in case you weren't aware, Tina Fey is funny. No, really. She should look into a career in comedy.
But some of the more interesting bits weren't about being funny. She talked about how in improv, we learn not to ask questions. Well, some of us learn that. Some of us, not so much. But it is a tenet of improv that you want to make statements rather than ask questions, in order to add information to advance the scene and not put the entire burden of coming up with information on your scene partner. Tina said this was also a good rule for life, especially for women. She noted that younger women in particular tend to be almost apologetic in their normal conversation, and ask things rather than being confident in their knowledge or opinions or whatever and just coming out and stating things. Even statements are often delivered with a question-mark tone at the end of the sentence: This is a great party? Let's go bowling? I like tacos?
Let me just say, I like tacos. And I'm not sorry, either.
But I digress. Shocking. Anyway, as Tina was saying, improv teaches you not to ask questions. But Sonnjea says it teaches much more than that - it also teaches you to be comfortable taking a risk like just saying right out there for everyone to hear: I like tacos! You get braver as a result of improv, and you learn to trust your instincts and be comfortable in the gray area - that zone where you don't know what's going to happen next and you can't plan for it because it depends on what someone else says or does.
Tina said some other cool stuff as well, and I'll probably steal more of it later in the week. But for now I just want to add that, as our name states - boldly - improv is for LIFE. Yeah, it makes for awesome entertainment, but the skills taught at Held2gether improv classes in Long Beach improve and enhance day-to-day life in countless ways, and that's where the real value of improv lies.
You'll notice there was no question mark at the end of that last sentence. Right?
Okay, I learned some stuff from this interesting Tina Fey interview on NPR that my friend and fellow improv-er, Lisa, sent me.
First of all, in case you weren't aware, Tina Fey is funny. No, really. She should look into a career in comedy.
But some of the more interesting bits weren't about being funny. She talked about how in improv, we learn not to ask questions. Well, some of us learn that. Some of us, not so much. But it is a tenet of improv that you want to make statements rather than ask questions, in order to add information to advance the scene and not put the entire burden of coming up with information on your scene partner. Tina said this was also a good rule for life, especially for women. She noted that younger women in particular tend to be almost apologetic in their normal conversation, and ask things rather than being confident in their knowledge or opinions or whatever and just coming out and stating things. Even statements are often delivered with a question-mark tone at the end of the sentence: This is a great party? Let's go bowling? I like tacos?
Let me just say, I like tacos. And I'm not sorry, either.
But I digress. Shocking. Anyway, as Tina was saying, improv teaches you not to ask questions. But Sonnjea says it teaches much more than that - it also teaches you to be comfortable taking a risk like just saying right out there for everyone to hear: I like tacos! You get braver as a result of improv, and you learn to trust your instincts and be comfortable in the gray area - that zone where you don't know what's going to happen next and you can't plan for it because it depends on what someone else says or does.
Tina said some other cool stuff as well, and I'll probably steal more of it later in the week. But for now I just want to add that, as our name states - boldly - improv is for LIFE. Yeah, it makes for awesome entertainment, but the skills taught at Held2gether improv classes in Long Beach improve and enhance day-to-day life in countless ways, and that's where the real value of improv lies.
You'll notice there was no question mark at the end of that last sentence. Right?
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Trixie Keeps the Books Improv Show Tonight!!
By Sonnjea Blackwell
Tonight is the Held2gether long form improv show, Trixie Keeps the Books at EXPO Theatre in Long Beach's Bixby Knolls 'hood. You know, in case you live under a rock and have somehow managed to escape the barrage of promos we've done for it.
I'd just like to say publicly that it's been a joy to work with everyone in the long form class: Barbi and I sewed funeral garb on our dead father, Andy and I ruined the song When a Man Loves a Woman for everyone forever, Waverly and I drank ourselves silly - even though we were only 4 years old, Brenda and I celebrated Christmas with Easter bunnies and Thanksgiving with chocolate hearts, Viet shaved my legs at a party, Paul and I gave away our children so we could play pinata in the living room, Lisa was my lizard sister and Robert arrested me for prostitution - again. Thanks, everyone! And especially thanks to Darren Held for yet another amazing improv class!
Okay, enough with the thanking - back to pimping: Trixie is going to ROCK! You know about our awesome cast and this time we also have an awesome set, arranged differently than our last couple of shows at EXPO. And there will be beer and wine (and water - um, whatever) available before the show and during intermission. Doors open at 6:30 and the hilarity begins at 7:00. Five bucks at the door. Come see us! And if you read the blog and/or like us on FB, come up and introduce yourself after the show. I'm the blonde who flaps her arms a lot.
Tonight is the Held2gether long form improv show, Trixie Keeps the Books at EXPO Theatre in Long Beach's Bixby Knolls 'hood. You know, in case you live under a rock and have somehow managed to escape the barrage of promos we've done for it.
I'd just like to say publicly that it's been a joy to work with everyone in the long form class: Barbi and I sewed funeral garb on our dead father, Andy and I ruined the song When a Man Loves a Woman for everyone forever, Waverly and I drank ourselves silly - even though we were only 4 years old, Brenda and I celebrated Christmas with Easter bunnies and Thanksgiving with chocolate hearts, Viet shaved my legs at a party, Paul and I gave away our children so we could play pinata in the living room, Lisa was my lizard sister and Robert arrested me for prostitution - again. Thanks, everyone! And especially thanks to Darren Held for yet another amazing improv class!
Okay, enough with the thanking - back to pimping: Trixie is going to ROCK! You know about our awesome cast and this time we also have an awesome set, arranged differently than our last couple of shows at EXPO. And there will be beer and wine (and water - um, whatever) available before the show and during intermission. Doors open at 6:30 and the hilarity begins at 7:00. Five bucks at the door. Come see us! And if you read the blog and/or like us on FB, come up and introduce yourself after the show. I'm the blonde who flaps her arms a lot.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Improv Workshop for Teens!
By Sonnjea Blackwell
Held2gether has a new improv class to tell you about! And we may even share the awesome poster we made to promote it. But first, a disclaimer.
See, the thing is, I don't understand the concept of "children." I mean, I know what they are, of course (no matter what this blog may have implied, I really am not dumber than dirt). I just don't understand their purpose, or appeal, or really anything about them. In my opinion, people should hatch from an egg or possibly emerge from the trunk of a hollowed-out tree, full grown and with the skills and intelligence of an average twenty-two year old.
Yeah, in my world, life begins at college graduation.
That being said, I am aware that I am in the minority when it comes to the notion of offspring. So when Darren said he wanted to teach a teen workshop in the summer, I thought it was a fab idea. I mean, I know everyone who has kids (and simply adores them, of course) just can't wait to get rid of them during the summer. My neighbors schlep their kids to everything from kids' cooking classes to karate to basket weaving during school vacations. They don't care what they learn, they just want them out of the house for a few hours.
But how about a class that teaches those know-it-all teens how to listen? And agree. You know that's what we teach in improv classes, right? What if your kid actually paid attention to what you said, and then replied with something like, "Yes, Mom, I will take out the trash... and I'll put a new trash bag in the receptacle."
Well, it's only a two-week class, so you can't expect miracles. But after two hours of laughing, they'll at least come home in a good mood and maybe wait a few minutes before starting an argument with their sister about who gets to sit in which chair. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in whichever chair I want and spend the afternoon with people who aren't sarcastic and don't talk back to me. Cuz that's just how I roll.
Held2gether has a new improv class to tell you about! And we may even share the awesome poster we made to promote it. But first, a disclaimer.
See, the thing is, I don't understand the concept of "children." I mean, I know what they are, of course (no matter what this blog may have implied, I really am not dumber than dirt). I just don't understand their purpose, or appeal, or really anything about them. In my opinion, people should hatch from an egg or possibly emerge from the trunk of a hollowed-out tree, full grown and with the skills and intelligence of an average twenty-two year old.
Yeah, in my world, life begins at college graduation.
That being said, I am aware that I am in the minority when it comes to the notion of offspring. So when Darren said he wanted to teach a teen workshop in the summer, I thought it was a fab idea. I mean, I know everyone who has kids (and simply adores them, of course) just can't wait to get rid of them during the summer. My neighbors schlep their kids to everything from kids' cooking classes to karate to basket weaving during school vacations. They don't care what they learn, they just want them out of the house for a few hours.
But how about a class that teaches those know-it-all teens how to listen? And agree. You know that's what we teach in improv classes, right? What if your kid actually paid attention to what you said, and then replied with something like, "Yes, Mom, I will take out the trash... and I'll put a new trash bag in the receptacle."
Well, it's only a two-week class, so you can't expect miracles. But after two hours of laughing, they'll at least come home in a good mood and maybe wait a few minutes before starting an argument with their sister about who gets to sit in which chair. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in whichever chair I want and spend the afternoon with people who aren't sarcastic and don't talk back to me. Cuz that's just how I roll.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Addicted to Improv!
By Sonnjea Blackwell
Lest I inadvertently give you the idea that once you start taking improv classes you'll be hooked, and pretty soon your life will revolve around getting your next improv fix, and you'll turn into a babbling junkie who doesn't think or talk about anything but improv classes or improv shows or improv people, I should just point out that it's really not so bad.
I mean, as far as things to get addicted to go, improv is pretty cool. You learn to listen. You learn to be funny. You learn to work well with others. And if you already knew how to do those things, you get even better at them. So people don't get too upset if you become an improv addict.
But most of my Held2gether troupe- and classmates aren't addicts like me. They have regular jobs that don't have anything to do with H2G or improv. They have families who are not forced to play New Choice at the dinner table. They can get through entire conversations without blurting out, "Make it a statement!"
I know some of you probably think I'm a cautionary tale of what could happen if you start down the slippery slope of improv. But I'm not. I don't have a problem. And I can quit anytime, I swear.
Lest I inadvertently give you the idea that once you start taking improv classes you'll be hooked, and pretty soon your life will revolve around getting your next improv fix, and you'll turn into a babbling junkie who doesn't think or talk about anything but improv classes or improv shows or improv people, I should just point out that it's really not so bad.
I mean, as far as things to get addicted to go, improv is pretty cool. You learn to listen. You learn to be funny. You learn to work well with others. And if you already knew how to do those things, you get even better at them. So people don't get too upset if you become an improv addict.
But most of my Held2gether troupe- and classmates aren't addicts like me. They have regular jobs that don't have anything to do with H2G or improv. They have families who are not forced to play New Choice at the dinner table. They can get through entire conversations without blurting out, "Make it a statement!"
I know some of you probably think I'm a cautionary tale of what could happen if you start down the slippery slope of improv. But I'm not. I don't have a problem. And I can quit anytime, I swear.
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Dream Team
By Sonnjea Blackwell
While I spent many of the past 24 hours basking in the unseasonably warm sunshine at the Embarcadero in San Francisco, drinking several of something called a French Bulldog and eating food that was so good I almost didn't come home, Mr. Held2gether himself, Darren Held, was hard at work leading a Held2gether Corporate Workshop in Denver, Colorado.
Yes, besides being masters of improvisation, we are also quite the jet-setters around here.
Anyway. Darren was working with a national insurance company, helping train agents to be more spontaneous and more comfortable in their interactions with customers. Some research we've come across (this is actually real research, not Sonnjea-believes-it-so-it-must-be-true research) indicates that sales people who work from scripts convert significantly fewer potential buyers than those who are able to (gasp!) actually listen to their customers and react appropriately.
And no, we at Held2gether are NOT experts in sales. That's not our job. Our job is to help people - sales or otherwise - listen and respond and think quickly on their feet. How these skills apply in each particular workplace varies widely, but what is universal is that these skills do in fact apply in every workplace.
Do you need to help your group/team/office/family bond? Work better together? Communicate without shouting? Do you need to boost morale before things deteriorate into a scene from The Godfather? Do you need to increase sales or productivity? Would you love it if everybody loved to come to work... and actually showed up most of the time?
We have Group Workshops for every type and size of group with every conceivable goal. From a generic out-of-the-box workshop to a fully customized training session, we can help you build your own personal Dream Team. Our website has more information on an improv workshop for your group, or you can email Darren for a detailed quote.
While I spent many of the past 24 hours basking in the unseasonably warm sunshine at the Embarcadero in San Francisco, drinking several of something called a French Bulldog and eating food that was so good I almost didn't come home, Mr. Held2gether himself, Darren Held, was hard at work leading a Held2gether Corporate Workshop in Denver, Colorado.
Yes, besides being masters of improvisation, we are also quite the jet-setters around here.
Anyway. Darren was working with a national insurance company, helping train agents to be more spontaneous and more comfortable in their interactions with customers. Some research we've come across (this is actually real research, not Sonnjea-believes-it-so-it-must-be-true research) indicates that sales people who work from scripts convert significantly fewer potential buyers than those who are able to (gasp!) actually listen to their customers and react appropriately.
And no, we at Held2gether are NOT experts in sales. That's not our job. Our job is to help people - sales or otherwise - listen and respond and think quickly on their feet. How these skills apply in each particular workplace varies widely, but what is universal is that these skills do in fact apply in every workplace.
Do you need to help your group/team/office/family bond? Work better together? Communicate without shouting? Do you need to boost morale before things deteriorate into a scene from The Godfather? Do you need to increase sales or productivity? Would you love it if everybody loved to come to work... and actually showed up most of the time?
We have Group Workshops for every type and size of group with every conceivable goal. From a generic out-of-the-box workshop to a fully customized training session, we can help you build your own personal Dream Team. Our website has more information on an improv workshop for your group, or you can email Darren for a detailed quote.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Just Justify!
By Sonnjea Blackwell
One of the things you have to do in improv is justify stuff. You can throw out weird or seemingly-random information, but you have to justify it in terms of the emotions and everything else that's going on in the scene, otherwise you just look like crazy people. If the audience can't believe the information, they won't be invested in the scene or the characters or anything and then they'll get up and go to the bathroom or order a latte or make a phone call or smoke or... You get the idea. They WON'T be sitting in their chairs drooling with laughter, which is what we as improvisors want them to do. Well, maybe not so much the drool.
Last night at Held2gether's Level 2 Improv Class, we had to justify stuff. This, like everything else in improv, is a skill that can be learned. Unlike everything else in improv, this is a skill that comes naturally to me. I can justify ANYTHING, just ask my husband.
Sonnjea: "I think we should go out to dinner tonight."
Husband: "Why? We have food in the refrigerator we can cook."
Sonnjea: "It's Tuesday. I have class the next two nights, then Friday it'll take you forever to get home on the vanpool so we won't feel like going out. Saturday night I have a show. And Sunday is, well, Sunday. We have to go tonight."
Husband: "Do you hear a buzzing sound?"
Bad Sonnjea: "Let's not work today. It's sunny."
Good Sonnjea: "It's southern California. It's always sunny. If we don't work, we don't get paid."
Bad Sonnjea: "If we take today off to bask in the sun, we'll feel rejuvenated and we'll work twice as hard tomorrow and get even more work done. Studies show that rejuvenated workers are much more creative. We're creative types; we have to rejuvenate or we'll die. So really, it's a matter of life and death."
Good Sonnjea: "Well -- "
Bad Sonnjea: "Now where's that bottle of vodka?"
Right. Now I have to go to lunch. Um, yes, really. It's Friday. Tomorrow I'm working, and Sunday I'll be in San Francisco and Monday I have a meeting and Tuesday I have to pick up a friend from the airport. So I have to go to lunch. Now. Sorry I can't finish this post, but I'm sure you understand.
One of the things you have to do in improv is justify stuff. You can throw out weird or seemingly-random information, but you have to justify it in terms of the emotions and everything else that's going on in the scene, otherwise you just look like crazy people. If the audience can't believe the information, they won't be invested in the scene or the characters or anything and then they'll get up and go to the bathroom or order a latte or make a phone call or smoke or... You get the idea. They WON'T be sitting in their chairs drooling with laughter, which is what we as improvisors want them to do. Well, maybe not so much the drool.
Last night at Held2gether's Level 2 Improv Class, we had to justify stuff. This, like everything else in improv, is a skill that can be learned. Unlike everything else in improv, this is a skill that comes naturally to me. I can justify ANYTHING, just ask my husband.
Sonnjea: "I think we should go out to dinner tonight."
Husband: "Why? We have food in the refrigerator we can cook."
Sonnjea: "It's Tuesday. I have class the next two nights, then Friday it'll take you forever to get home on the vanpool so we won't feel like going out. Saturday night I have a show. And Sunday is, well, Sunday. We have to go tonight."
Husband: "Do you hear a buzzing sound?"
Bad Sonnjea: "Let's not work today. It's sunny."
Good Sonnjea: "It's southern California. It's always sunny. If we don't work, we don't get paid."
Bad Sonnjea: "If we take today off to bask in the sun, we'll feel rejuvenated and we'll work twice as hard tomorrow and get even more work done. Studies show that rejuvenated workers are much more creative. We're creative types; we have to rejuvenate or we'll die. So really, it's a matter of life and death."
Good Sonnjea: "Well -- "
Bad Sonnjea: "Now where's that bottle of vodka?"
Right. Now I have to go to lunch. Um, yes, really. It's Friday. Tomorrow I'm working, and Sunday I'll be in San Francisco and Monday I have a meeting and Tuesday I have to pick up a friend from the airport. So I have to go to lunch. Now. Sorry I can't finish this post, but I'm sure you understand.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Trixie Cares!
By Sonnjea Blackwell
We have an improv show in Long Beach coming up in a little over a week, in case you've somehow managed to miss my oh-so-subtle self promotions. It's called Held2gether presents: Trixie Keeps the Books and it's our newest long form extravaganza.
For those of you who haven't seen us do the long form thing, it goes like this: we do three short scenes based on your suggestions, and then we all jump in and out of the stories that those scenes have set up, going forward and backward in time and creating a whole cast of supporting characters to tell a big, intertwined 1/2-hour story. It's like a play with no script. And then... we do a whole second set! Whew!
If you think it sounds hard, you're right. It requires focus, memory, attention to details and the ability to keep the big picture in mind while focused on the minutiae. Oh, and a sense of humor. That's all.
Luckily, those are all skills that Darren Held teaches in Held2gether's Intro to Improv and Improv Level 2 classes. But he's sneaky - you learn all those things without realizing it because you think you're just playing hilarious games for a couple of hours a week. And then all of a sudden, you realize you've learned stuff. And whether you choose to apply your newfound ability to focus, remember stuff, pay attention to details and laugh your ass off to mundane things like getting everything you meant to get at Trader Joe's or calling your kids by their right names or even doing long form improv, at least you'll have the skills to fall back on. And Trixie would be pleased.
We have an improv show in Long Beach coming up in a little over a week, in case you've somehow managed to miss my oh-so-subtle self promotions. It's called Held2gether presents: Trixie Keeps the Books and it's our newest long form extravaganza.
For those of you who haven't seen us do the long form thing, it goes like this: we do three short scenes based on your suggestions, and then we all jump in and out of the stories that those scenes have set up, going forward and backward in time and creating a whole cast of supporting characters to tell a big, intertwined 1/2-hour story. It's like a play with no script. And then... we do a whole second set! Whew!
If you think it sounds hard, you're right. It requires focus, memory, attention to details and the ability to keep the big picture in mind while focused on the minutiae. Oh, and a sense of humor. That's all.
Luckily, those are all skills that Darren Held teaches in Held2gether's Intro to Improv and Improv Level 2 classes. But he's sneaky - you learn all those things without realizing it because you think you're just playing hilarious games for a couple of hours a week. And then all of a sudden, you realize you've learned stuff. And whether you choose to apply your newfound ability to focus, remember stuff, pay attention to details and laugh your ass off to mundane things like getting everything you meant to get at Trader Joe's or calling your kids by their right names or even doing long form improv, at least you'll have the skills to fall back on. And Trixie would be pleased.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Held2gether On YouTube!
By Sonnjea Blackwell
Hey! I'm back with an actual blog post (as opposed to a video of a freaky orgy). But the whole video thing brings me to my point for today. And yes, it's likely to be the only point I make all stinkin' day. Moving on.
Maybe you're not aware of it, but Held2gether has its own YouTube page. You can visit it any time you need a quick improv fix, or when you want to see girls kissing, or if it's been awhile since you practiced the alphabet. Seriously, our videos are educational and entertaining.
And if you have a favorite player, we can help you out there, as well. (Although if you have a favorite player, I don't want to know about it. It will just make me sad and then I won't write funny posts, and that's not good for any of us). Right. Say you're in the mood to see your favorite Held2gether performer in all of their improv-y glory. Well, then, you can Google that person + videos and get all of their scenes, minus all of everyone else's scenes. There are a couple of exceptions, because certain performers are bashful. No, really. Not everyone is the stage whore that I am. I mean, some of our players aren't even into filming orgy scenes with a dog, a clown and a werewolf. I know, weird.
Anyway, many thanks to Sean Cloutier for suggesting the YouTube tags so we can all be totally famous! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go watch myself.
Hey! I'm back with an actual blog post (as opposed to a video of a freaky orgy). But the whole video thing brings me to my point for today. And yes, it's likely to be the only point I make all stinkin' day. Moving on.
Maybe you're not aware of it, but Held2gether has its own YouTube page. You can visit it any time you need a quick improv fix, or when you want to see girls kissing, or if it's been awhile since you practiced the alphabet. Seriously, our videos are educational and entertaining.
And if you have a favorite player, we can help you out there, as well. (Although if you have a favorite player, I don't want to know about it. It will just make me sad and then I won't write funny posts, and that's not good for any of us). Right. Say you're in the mood to see your favorite Held2gether performer in all of their improv-y glory. Well, then, you can Google that person + videos and get all of their scenes, minus all of everyone else's scenes. There are a couple of exceptions, because certain performers are bashful. No, really. Not everyone is the stage whore that I am. I mean, some of our players aren't even into filming orgy scenes with a dog, a clown and a werewolf. I know, weird.
Anyway, many thanks to Sean Cloutier for suggesting the YouTube tags so we can all be totally famous! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go watch myself.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Tainted Mattress
Sorry. Busy. I have a long list of things I actually accomplished in the last 3 - 4 days, but I know you don't care. You just want your daily dose of laughter. As I've explained over and over and over, I am easy. You want laughter, I'll give it to ya.
This is the first episode from 3 Square the Series. It stars Held2gether's own Darren Held and our good friend Brenda Glim from Corporate Recess Players. And there's a few other familiar faces in there as well, some of whom prefer to remain "anonymous." Yeah, right.
Tainted Mattress, 3 Square the Series. Enjoy.
This is the first episode from 3 Square the Series. It stars Held2gether's own Darren Held and our good friend Brenda Glim from Corporate Recess Players. And there's a few other familiar faces in there as well, some of whom prefer to remain "anonymous." Yeah, right.
Tainted Mattress, 3 Square the Series. Enjoy.
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