Performing in unscripted show a blast
By ANDREW POTTER, TIMES-REPUBLICANArticle Photos
There is going out of your comfort zone, and then there is going way, way out of your comfort zone.
That's what I did this past week when I performed at two improv shows at the Martha Ellen Tye Playhouse in a production by the Marshalltown Community Theatre. The two nights of shows are held annually Dec. 30 and 31.
My last time performing in front of an audience on stage was maybe in fifth grade at a Christmas play and I was a grasshopper for some reason, so I was definitely entering a whole new world.
Improv, or improvisational comedy, is unscripted and you rely on ideas from the audience to lead you down a path of dialogue in different types of skits. You learn to work together with your fellow performers and rely on each other.
When you have fellow performers with you it's nice because you either are funny together or bomb together. Most of the performers have previous stage and improv experience while a few of us were trying it for the first time.
The lights glared heavy on my face Tuesday night on stage and I would have been more nervous but the crowd was so supportive.
I think the audience realizes it is tough to come up with material off the top of your head and they appreciate those who are willing to give it a try.
That first night the butterflies were definitely felt throughout my stomach leading up to the performance. I thought I might freeze up or do something even worse. But it wasn't that bad. I actually got laughs just as the rest of my fellow performers did.
I left after the first night with an itch to get back on stage and I would not have to wait long as our next show was Wednesday night. The second night I had twice as many skits scheduled for me so it added to the pressure.
But again I was not overly nervous on stage and the group put on another successful show.
The feeling of accomplishment after the Wednesday show was overwhelming. People were telling me in the parking lot after the show that I did a great job. I never expected that when I started attending the workshops leading up to the show.
The workshops prior to the performance were nearly as much fun as the shows. You just never know what is going to come out of people's mouths when there are no scripts and hardly any rules.
The creativity was busting out at the seams during those workshops and that transferred over to the show.
Director Tom LaVille really knows his stuff and he let us know what type of improv the audience would respond to best. Of course the workshops were not rehearsals because we go into the shows not knowing what the subject of our skits will be.
I write stories all the time about people who try something new, go out of their normal routine and find a new adventure that adds spice to their lives.
It was nice to actually live it this time.
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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com
