Well shit. Leave
it to me to become part of an Improv Group. I guess no
one can say I'm not giving me all to this "acting"
thing. (sigh).
So I needed to
come up with a 2 minute comedy monolgue for the
audition. After searching around the net, and going
through my DVDs, there just wasn't a non-dramatic
monolgue more than 60 seconds. Then in the shower I
started doin' Johnny from The Boyles and realized it
didn't matter WHAT the hell I talked about, just doing
that voice lookin' like me is funny.
So I made up
a 2 minute dialogue about Johnny being stunned by the
size of Lester's (Johnny's grandpa for the newbies)
"wee". This is what I actually called it as a child.
Heh. Anyway, the monologue was really, really out
there. And I didn't practice it a whole lot. I noticed
that each time I'd ad-lib a little more, it got
funnier and funnier. So I figured I should just ad-lib
all of it for the audition. Hell it's an Improv Group
right? So I got the basic story down, at a ballpark
urinal Johnny happens to glance over, and was ready
for the audition.
Unfortunately, no
one else was. I was the only one there. Even several
members of the group didn't show up. It ended up being
me, and 4 of the "Improviders". So instead of actually
auditioning, I just took part in their normal
rehearsal. Acted like I knew what the hell I was
doing and...actually enjoyed it. They'd give me a
quick explanation of the Improv "games", and then POW.
I was just part of the group. Excercise after
excercise, just testing your ability to think on your
feet. It's the one thing I've always liked about
Improv (doing it, not watching it): it's challenging.
The competitive nature in me comes out in full force.
Not competing with the others, but competing against
yourself, your own limitations. It's insanely fun. For
example, I had to pretend I was in a steamroom
with another guy, and each line had to start with the
next letter of the alphabet. It was very fun and just
seemed natural to me. And as is said about once every
3 entries: therein lies the rub. I had a great
time. Loved all the excercises, loved stretching the
acting "muscle" and enjoyed meeting new people and
being part of a team. And I guess I proved myself
'cause I'm in. Nothin' like a one-man election race
eh? Well there's more try-outs for next week as I
think they need 2 new members, but I guess now they
only need one. So what's the problem? Where's the
"rub"?...
I cannot stand
watching Improv. LOL. Well, lemme put it this way...
Right now, I can't stand it. Ask me in a month and
maybe I'll have a different opinion. But here's how I
feel now: It's an incomplete artform. It's like
watching pre-season NFL. I'd never prefer that over
the regular season or the playoffs. I'd rather take
the time to create great work, rather than see what
great things I can make up in 2 seconds. I
appreciate good writing, and direction, and love
putting hours of work into a finished project. Now as
far as rehearsing goes, it's perfect for strengthening
my improvisational skills and helping others do the
same, but as a show...whew. (roll eyes, whack off
motion)... I wonder if other people feel this way? I
wonder if say, baseball players love playing - but
think watching it is boring as hell. I mean, I feel
like a total ASSHOLE. I REALLY like the other guys in
the group, and in no way want to undermine our work,
but the bottom line is - holy SHIT do I hate
Improv. LOLOL. Fuck this online journal shit. I'm so
friggin' stupid to be saying this about something I'm
trying to be a part of, but I couldn't very
likely get on here and lie. Anyone who's read this for
even 6 months knows how I have always felt about
Improv. So let's just see what happens shall we?
Believe it or not, I do have an open mind here.
I'm just putting down how I feel in April 2002 - who
knows what'll happen next.
Well I guess I do.
Heh. The next rehearsal is Wednesday night, and I'm
gonna be performing The Trinitrons for the other
members of the group afterwards. Thought it would give
'em a good idea as to what the hell I'm trying to do
with my life. Or maybe this'll show I have no
idea. Either way, showing creative people a creative
idea is exhilerating. So I'm looking forward to
it.
As well the
direction of "Adam & The Journey" is starting to
come together. It's apparently not gonna be a big
event. I think the true ending, is simply that I keep
going. I keep pushing. The Journey continues...
There's something poetic about that. I still expect
the show to be ready for early fall 2002, and it looks
like I may be premiering it in Columbus. How's that
for crazy. I figured out a way that I can simply
fly out with some of the 4tvs guts, and then somehow
scrounge up four 27 inch TVs when I get there. Oh
yeah, and the stands. LOL. It's possible. I'm sure
some of you reading from Columbus will be able to help
out. Anyway, it's looking like mid-to late August as
the date.
So there you are.
Adam Kontras is a member of the "Improviders". I
sighed right after I wrote that. I honestly can't
put my finger on exactly why though. Maybe it's that
I'm becoming what I never wanted to...
Hmmmm....
Adam
And I
WAS gonna use my Johnny monologue
for today's video, but since it never
happened here's me brushing
my
teeth.
