Oct
1
I’ve only been home from Toronto (#TIIF) for 4 days and I’m already scheduled to be on a plane at 9am Friday morning for the Philadelphia Improv Festival. I think this makes my 4th year at #PHIF. It’s an incredible festival, produced by two of the greatest people in the world, Matt Nelson and Alli Soowal, and backed by the Best Publicist Ever, Carrie Gorn (FULL DISCLOSURE: Carrie handles all PR/Media for DSI Comedy Theater & NCCAF and Alli might be one of my closest improv friends).
I’m teaching You Had Me At YES! Friday 230PM-5PM, which should be an sweet improv afternoon with Buckley power couple Alyssa and Bryan (CHEESESTEAK FOR DINNER?), and I’m performing twice during the weekend – once with a ComedySportz All-star showcase and once with Fritter Kings, the comedy duo of Zach Ward (ME!) and Rene Duquesnoy. Unfortunately, Rene blew out a tendon last month defending our planet from warlocks and other D&D nerd stuff, READ: KICKBALL, the other “white meat” active nerd stuff, and now he can’t make the trip… plus Rene recently got engaged so He probably can’t leave the house without an OK from his new domestic manager, the super-fresh Doctor FIANCÉ (my favorite). OH! Bam. Confetti. Wow. Luckily our special guest Rance Rizzutto has frequent flyer miles and still wants to do the show with me. So, BECAUSE we ALL performed in the Beatbox, BECAUSE their names both begin with “R” and end with “E” AND BECAUSE Rance has shared an apartment with both myself and Rene…
By the transitive property of Chicago roommates, I am still sort of officially doing a show with RENE!
My FRIDAY schedule: Workshop 230PM | ComedySportz 930PM | Fritter Kings 11PM
My SATURDAY schedule: Make me an offer. I’ll be at the Crowne working on RICHMOND.
I’ve just checked out the Twitter feed for #PHIF and I see a lot of people I love are going to be in town for the festival. New and Old Boston friends AND former NCCAF producer Jason Curtis. YEAH!
Awesome.
Tags: Carrie Gorn, Cheesesteak, ComedySportz, DSI Chicago, Fritter Kings, improv workshop, PHIF, Philadelphia, Rene Duquesnoy
Posted in festival production, improv, travel | No Comments »
Jul
29
I work from a home office (112 HWY 54 CARRBORO, NC 27510 / for those of you who want, You can stalk me at home on Brightkite) and I’m excited by how people organize and set themselves up for success.
Right now I’m typing from Another Home Office, the office of Christine Walters, Professional Speaker and Owner of ComedySportz Richmond #RVA, RICHMOND, VA, I don’t know the zip.
Calendars, check. Computers, check. Fax machine, I guess people still fax, check. Stacks and stacks of papers, binders and books. But most of all, VISION, check. She has a board with her clear VISION of what she wants to do and be. I like to see that. So many entrepreneurs FAIL to make effective use of their home office because they don’t have that VISION laid out clearly. Walters has a board with specific goals and concrete plans to achieve them. An office-home or home-office could be everything you need it to be if you set those goals, treat your day like work (respect the work schedule) and treat your home LIKE AN OFFICE, you know, when you cross the office threshold. All that to say, I like this home office.
OH, Why was I in the RVA you ask? I’m producing the Richmond Improv Festival (November 4-6, 2009) and had a staff meeting to confirm the venue, plan marketing and prep sponsorship details. I’m proud to help support the funny business happening 3 hours North of MY home office in Carrboro.
Awesome.
Tags: ComedySportz, Home Office, Richmond, RVA, VISION
Posted in business, travel | No Comments »
Apr
23
I’m heading up to the Bridgetown Comedy Festival in Portland, OR for scout work.
Scout work? Is that what you call it? I’m checking out the primarily standup comedy festival as research for the NC Comedy Arts Festival (2010 marks the 10th Anniversary of the NCCAF / Dirty South). Bridgetown has been running for a very short time. I think 2009 is their second year, but they have already amassed an incredible lineup and a list of industry partners and sponsors that other comedy festivals, at least those not operated by TBS or HBO, would die kill for. The festival runs for 4 days, takes over 8 different venues, and offers an unbelievable Alt comedy buffet, for cheap.
While I’m in Portland I’ve been booked to perform at ComedySportz Portland, for both the CSz Mainstage show and The BEE Word (an improvised spelling bee) on Friday. I’m also teaching two improv workshops on Sunday and directing an ensemble called “8 names” on Monday before my flight home, which I can only hope is the name of the group because they brainstormed 8 names to choose from and they couldn’t decide, and it was late, so they defaulted to “8 names” as the name.
KPR from the Impatient Theatre Co. just called (while I was writing this) to let me know that he booked my flight for the ITC Summer Intensive in Toronto. I’m teaching the Harold week, June 21-27. I LOVE that city, but I especially dig Pizza Pizza and teaching Harold to people from Canada.
Awesome.
Tags: Bridgetown Comedy Festival, ComedySportz, CSz, Harold, Impatient Theatre Co., ITC, Portland, Toronto, workshops
Posted in improv, travel | No Comments »
