HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE SHOW TONIGHT?
GRIFF: I was trying to be too independent. We played with James’s group, “Gentleman’s Falcon” and they jump on the group game no matter what. I found myself resisting joining in and that was definitely a mistake. Should have jumped on board early on because it made it hard to function outside of the group. There was one point where I walked out and no one else did. Afterwards it reminded me of an exercise I did in a class with Mark Sutton where you go out alone and say something that does not need to be responded to and you do some object work. I stepped out and was left talking to myself but doing nothing. Even if no one had ever joined me (James did almost immediately) if I had just started doing something it would have given the scene context and taken some pressure off everyone else to “save me”.
DUGAN: Tonight we played at Stage 773 with as part of the Gulp! show. We played with Gentleman's Falcon, which is a team I've played with a lot, and Griffin hasn't played with ever. This team has made it a point of hitting the game of the scene hard and fast. We definitely did that. The scenes went a little long at times and I think that just comes from no one wanting to be the asshole that edits the scene and ruins the fun. The show was an absolute whirlwind, from start to finish with group games carrying us through.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT JAMES/GRIFF?
DUGAN: As I said, this was a group that Griff had never played with. Afterwards he told me that he felt like he was falling behind at times by not joining in on some of the group stuff. I could kind of see that. The Falcons are very close, I would count them among my best friends. It was undoubtedly intimidating for him to jump in with that. He also had at least two scenes which he initiated to an empty stage. As someone that really struggles with starting a scene confidently, I loved watching him play with himself (BAZING) while patiently waiting for someone else to join him. It's a confidence that I really admire. Also, I had to explain to him today that the word "gyp" comes from the word "gypsy". This guy is the biggest good hearted racist I've ever met, I can't believe he didn't know that.
GRIFF: Gentleman’s Falcon is perfect for James’s sensibilities. He loves dumb jokes and playing fast, but what is impressive is how solid he is at navigating a scene. He never seems stuck. Even when he, or someone else, makes a joke and that is all they have (no point of view, no real game) James can keep going. It reminds me a bit of watching Cook County Social Club and seeing them make a dumb joke and then continue on with the character’s life. It makes the whole show better when you can show the audience that every character has a life and doesn’t exist only for a bit. I really want us to have a slower show, or a few scenes even, to see James really get a chance to get going. So far everything has been game, game, game.
HOW DO YOU FEEL/ WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT IMPROV?
DUGAN: You should be leaving the audience wanting more, not feeling sick of the game. Plus it gives you something to call-back if you don't beat the game to death. In high energy shows, being able to call back the themes or games from the beginning of the show are what will separate you from the crowd, because at least it shows that you were listening to what was going on and not just waiting for your turn to talk. I've noticed that in every show we've had so far, I've come away commenting on how it was just group games. It should be my goal in the next couple days to get an emotional and grounded scene on the stage.
GRIFF: The first three shows have all felt similar to me. Like I’m just spazzing my way through them. Trying to make it from one bit to the next ends up feeling really unsatisfying. I really want to shake that habit/mindset. Maybe it comes from not being completely confident and relaxed onstage. But I also wonder if I am just that kind of player. I’m having a tough time figuring out how to be myself and play grounded and real, which I know sounds crazy but my natural tendency is to say some weird shit and hope someone laughs. I think I’ll get there if I can just work through it.
Tonight a group called “Liam” played and created one of the best sets I’ve ever seen from an independent team. The audience could help but vocalize their concern for the character’s lives and the romance that was being played out onstage. They didn’t try to go for any jokes or bits. Instead, they just focused on reacting honestly to each other and HOLY BALLS did it work.
INVENT A WORD TO DESCRIBE JAMES/GRIFF.
GRIFF: Pifithsta: The sound one makes when James Dugan speaks a pun. These occur every five minutes in conversation and every two when he is onstage.
DUGAN: Gastroriffic.
No comments:
Post a Comment