Book:  Improvisation for Theater
Author: Viola Spolin

    The book Improvisation for Theater  by Viola Spolin was a good way to punctuate what I had learned this term. Spolin writes a lot about everyone can act, and we learn through experience. I have noticed this semester that there is a difference between experience, natural actors, and students. I have met plenty of people who have experience but don't do well in improv because they forget the basic tenants of theater and improv. For example, I took golf lessons after I had developed habits, and it was hard to break them. Consequently, it is sometimes easier to teach people who have little to no experience. People who are naturals or consider themselves "students" are often the best people to learn. It goes to what Spolin was saying that we learn through experience and experience influences how we perform, talent has little to do with it.
    At face value, theater games seem to be just fun ways to engage people; however, I think if you look at them deeper you can really see parts of the world in them. Improvisation isn't just for performance and theater, it is truly a lifestyle. We learn through our experiences, problems, and mistakes. Starting a scene in improv one of the ways to liven the scene up is to start with a conflict. No one likes to be in conflict with another person, but life is full of conflict and it is also what people can relate to. Everyone has had an argument about where they want to go or had an argument with their significant other.  I feel like theater games are a good way to learn about the people who you are working with and to establish community. I do not feel like these games should be left for just theater people but should be used in everyday life.
    I really enjoyed how Spolin was talking about how anyone can do theater, and talent has little to do with it. I believe that passion has more to do with being successful than talent. Granted, talent is part of it if you want to be successful; however, I feel like passion and connection with your colleagues is more important. You could have the most talent in the world but if you can't connect with people, and take lower status at times, you won't make it. Really the basic tenants of improvisation should be how you address your daily life. If you think about the basics like energy, attention, listening, acceptances, connection, and relationships, those are all things that should be evoked in your daily life. I had someone tell me that you should approach each day and each task with the same amount of enthusiasm that you would with your favorite movie, cd, or whatever. I feel like you should allow yourself to play, to examine, to basically live life. Be zen.

Great term for self-evaluation and learning about others and myself. Many thanks.

I noticed with the weather changing the difference of the temperatures in my room. My futon, which is near the window and heater, stays extremely warm. However, if you step off the futon and walk a few steps to the right towards the closet, the temperature is very cold. I also noticed how the windows let in quite a bit of cold air when it is windy outside. Sometimes when you are sitting on the futon, the temperature is too hot, and you feel like you want to turn the heat down. But as soon as you venture away from the futon you feel how cold it is.

Welcome to South Dakota winter!!

I picked my favorite documentary film "I Know I'm Not Alone" for this assignment. I picked a documentary for a challenge for this assignment. Michael Franti, a musician, travels to the Middle East to explore what is going on with the people of the region.

The documentary uses music by Franti that was inspired from the trip. The music is used throughout the movie and really enhances the movie. Because you see the visualization of what is going on, and then hearing it vocally is awesome.

Also, the cast uses storytelling through talking to people and personal experience to enhance the storytelling. Franti talks to the people of Iraq and Israel to find out what is going on there. I think more than any other film style, documentary heavily relies on what the director wants the audience to see. Franti decides to show the people, the culture, and the experience of the war torn area.

I absolutely loved the trip to Chicago. I really enjoyed seeing the variation of shows between Second City and the Neo-futurists. I loved the Neo-Futurists show. The difference in their plays was touching. I enjoyed the experience of the organized chaos of the show. And I feel honored to see a show at Second City. It might seem silly but I think Second City is a great American institution, and I feel from seeing a show there that I'm a part of history. Because there have been so many comedy legends to grace that stage. It was really an awesome experience.

Sketchfest was an interesting experience. Overall, the sketch groups weren't the best; however, the framework for something good was there. I wondered who their "leader" was because usually groups that have a designated leader or director are better. And they are able to stay neutral and realize when they to change things. I think that their sketches were incredibly funny to them but moderately funny to us.

One thing I found funny was when I was talking to my mom after I got back from Chicago. One of our family friends is working in theatre in Chicago. And I had no idea!

The best experience was when Leigh, Will, Nate, Casey, Tina, and I were able to perform on the improv Olympic stage. Even though people thought are set wasn't the best, I thought we did well, and it was a thrill to perform on that stage. Also, I really enjoyed speaking with Michael Gellman. That was awesome.

Overall, a very motivating, inspiring, fun trip to Chicago!

My "yes" person was my girlfriend Lilly.

She wasn't feeling very well one night so I decided I'd make her some soup. My ordinary gift was a gift of food. The gift was also a very beneficial thing because afterwards Lilly felt better. To put this action into what I feel about  improv terms, I think that the size of the gift isn't as important as the quality. For example, if someone offers you something in a scene, you shouldn't discount the offer just because it seems out of the blue or random. It is the same thing as the idea of the changing location exercise. Some people's reaction was  quizzical as to why I would want to be writing in the lobby. In a scene I need to be more aware that everything is a gift.

The gift to Lilly was something that we think about everyday. Everyone needs nourishment and the gift of food is an important gift. There are a lot of people who do not have food; however, in this country we have food so readily available that the concept of giving food as a gift seems strange. However, preparing food is probably one of the most generous and compassionate actions you can do for someone. Lilly was surprised and happy that I just decided to make her soup. She had mentioned something earlier about wanting some soup but didn't have any. So I brought some over and made it for her.

It was a good time. Hooray for Chicago!!!