I am currently on a couch in Chicago, Hitler cat on my lap, watching The Wire Season 4 (Prez cleaning up a classroom!? What!?) and writing the wedding ceremony for My Best Friend and My Favorite. I’m honored and incredibly excited to be the Officiant for #FreshWeek — And slightly nervous.
I’ve been improvising for 17 years, but this seems like the first performance that really matters.
On Saturday August 7, 2010 The Warden makes the BIG SHOW!
I just arrived in New York City for my 6th consecutive summer pilgrimage to the UCB Theatre.
I landed at JFK, Air Train to Jamaica and E to 42nd Street to drop my bags. But Why? Why am I here? For the 12th Annual Del Close Marathon. YES! It has been described as Improv Christmas, an ALL YOU CAN EAT Longform Buffet performed by some of the most talented improvisers in the country (and Canada). And it happens Every Year because of Del Close and what he meant as a Director, Mentor and Friend to the Upright Citizens Brigade, and for thousands of improv disciples performing Harold around the world.
In fact, I consider myself to be one of those disciples.
It is my belief that Harold as a structure and philosophy of play is the basis for all comedic work, whether written for the stage, screen, or improvised. We have Del to thank for not only the recognition and respect improvisation has received as an Art but for a lot of what we consider to be comedy today. I never worked with Del myself, but I am extremely lucky to have worked with people who learned directly from him before he passed away. And I am proud to have Del watch over me, my students and my company at DSI.
“We are creating relationships between people, because in order to make improvisation work as theater or comedy, you have to deal with each other in a way that, if people behaved this way socially, the world would be a nicer community.” — DEL CLOSE, The Madness of Art
The toughest thing about success is that you’ve got to keep on being a success. — Irving Berlin
During his 60-year career Irving Berlin wrote an estimated 1,500 songs, including 19 Broadway shows and 18 Hollywood films, with his songs nominated eight times for Academy Awards. (Source: New York Times)
A Russian immigrant with no formal education, Berlin taught himself how to Work Out and Hustle, assuming control over his own destiny and composing his first hit before he was even able to read or write music. In creating the Irving Berlin Music Corporation our Rags-to-riches Musical Entrepreneur was able to retain full rights to his ENTIRE catalogue. A catalogue that many argue defines American Music. INSPIRING!
So What Do You Do to Work Out and Hustle?
Me? I started to think about “Circuit Training for Profit” and Professional Development on Sunday after the N&O Article on Corporate Improv. What do I mean by “Circuit Training for Profit” ? Well, I agree with Irving Berlin. But since I want to KEEP ON being a success I need to KEEP WORKING to develop a competitive edge. How many excuses do we give just to convince ourselves to be satisfied with the status quo? How much of our own potential slips away because we don’t continue to Work Out and Hustle? Get sweaty.
Maybe ZW should push harder and go P90X for Business. Maybe.
