second city

Reflections on Second City

July 14, 2009

This is me, inside my head, on Second City. Not a reflection on anyone there, or the training, or any of that, but more just the nonsense that is going through my head and my self talk or something. This was brought on actually by the friend requests I’ve sent plus ones that I have [...]

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Messing with a Friend

July 3, 2009

We went to the theater on the lake – just north of my old apartment on Division street. Nice space, sorta warehouse like, but it is right on the shore of Lake Michigan. Saw improvised Shakespeare there. I was leary of going – didn’t know how it would be, but it turned out to be [...]

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Freeform writing

June 30, 2009

Writing class yesterday was interesting built up a scene by drilling down a location. Starting the class with freeform writing, so I thought I’d transcribe that here. some of it I already talked about on earlier posts. Basically we had to write non-stop for 15 minutes. ~~~~~~~~~~~ On the way to chicago we stopped for [...]

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In Chicago, Second City Awaits

June 28, 2009

We arrived in Chicago after a long road trip, twelve hours total driving time, plus a bit for stops, eats, etc. I got maybe an hours sleep but not really solid sleep. Sitting up, neck bent at an angle, looking like the trap under my kitchen sink, I can feel that kink now in the [...]

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Slumdog Millionaire & Return of the Amish Oracle

June 1, 2009

Last night we finally watched Slumdog Millionaire and I have to say I was not really impressed. Why was this film the darling of the Oscars? I’m not saying I didn’t like it, but it was just OK. On the bright side, I didn’t pay for the rental. Steph and Zack had friends spend the [...]

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Second City – scholarship and all that

May 26, 2009

As a few of you may have read already, I received a partial scholarship to the Second City for the intensive improv session I signed up for. Pretty exciting stuff made even more manageable by the scholarsship process. Although to be honest with you, it wasn’t the easiest process to complete. I’m sure lots of [...]

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A New Hope – Second City and the Return of Boy Wonder

May 11, 2009

We had a great rehearsal Sunday (yesterday) although I was late. (a rare occurance) I was riding out along 422 when my motorcycle started acting funny. Seemed like there might be a short in the wiring or something. It would run fine and then sputter and then catch and take off. I debated turning around, [...]

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Second to None

March 31, 2009

Last night Steph and Deb had rehearsal for the Vagina Monologues. It’s playing this weekend, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. If you want details write me. While they were out I watched “Second to None” which is a documentary of the process of improv to sketch comedy the way that Second City builds their revues. [...]

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Events in Comedy Improv History

March 30, 2009

Such an auspicious title. Hard to live up to that, now, init? So I won’t even try. We had a great decompression session last sunday (the 22nd) sat and talked for hours about what went right and wrong with the show on saturday night and we came away feeling pretty good. Not necessarily about the [...]

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Concentration

March 10, 2009

How difficult is it to concentrate when so much is riding on a series of meetings that you have no control over? This is kind of like when I published my first book. You pour your heart into it, and really think it’s good, and people you trust read it, and tell you it’s good, [...]

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