photo by Brainne Edge
Lately Deanna and I have been discussing different things about improv. Namely, why do people continue to perform in many various theaters around Chicago for next-to-no pay, and more than likely exactly-no pay? It’s a drug, that is why. The high you get from going into a situation where you have no memorized scripts, yet you have to sustain an audience’s interest for 20-90 minutes depending gives you a rush. Even more so if it goes over big.
So, why do I jump from talking about CSz to talking about drug addiction? Because once a year CSz has a World Championship where all the 20+ cities with CSz teams send representatives to a chosen location to battle it out for the Meaningless Cup™! AND…this is like traveling to a place that is Jamaica, Colombia, and Amsterdam wrapped together in that you get a huge improv high.
This year was in Philadelphia, PA and it was a huge rush.
It is always a special situation at the Championships because you’re not just performing, you’re hanging out with people who do the same type of show, people who are in your ensemble that you might not spend much time with in normal life, and everyone gets the opportunity to take workshops on various topics. Major hang-time means everyone is really close by the end. Family.
Also like drugs, getting torn away cold turkey kinda sucks.
So, to help with rehab, here is a list of bits that only a few people will get:
-Just think…tits.
-Rrrrrrrap Battle (?!)
-pyow pyow I’m
-I think I’m thinking of cockroaches
-I think I’m thinking of antelopes
-Gaudety gonna start
-”[the problem was] I was only dating locals.” boooooooo…”I’m from Jersey”…oh! yayyyY!
To everyone that saw me perform, liked what I did, and was kind enough to come up and introduce themselves, thanks. I’ve been doing this awhile and I appreciate the kind words. I try to keep it fresh for the people who’ve been doing it a lot…mostly for my own amusement.
To everyone who didn’t introduce yourself, you should have; who I didn’t introduce myself to, I’m sorry; who I HAD been introduced to and then reintroduced myself to after forgetting, whooa…sorry…I can only think of two people off hand.
And lastly, to the concept “quiet coyote”…I will hunt you.
Now it is time for rehab, then back to casual use. Hopefully I’ll be there when it all happens again next year.
Thanks Rance. Sorry I only got to meet you the last day! But I’m glad I came up and introduced myself to you.
What you said is right on. I feel like I’m coming off a drug, the crash is rough, but it was definitely all worth it.
[...] I on drugs all week? I’m not the only one with this metaphor. Players at home told me they sponsored each other just to get through the week. [...]
Ain’t it the truth. Monday and Tuesday after getting home, all I wanted to do was sleep. Like coming down off meth, I guess, but I’ve actually never had meth. But I’ve seen “Intervention”.
Meth effects seem about the same. You operate on next to no sleep for a week, acting completely crazy but everything seems to make sense to you, and you have a hightened, warped sense of awareness. Then you are a zombie for 3 days.
Then you’re doing a big show and time slows down. It effing well does – it’s like the world is traveling in slow motion, when you’re feeling it.
Unlike methheads, the improvisers surrounding you have your back. Brilliant.
It’s like having a birthday party for everyone at the same time, and our present is each other. How hokey is that? But truth is hokey. And I haven’t got enough of this experience – it was my 6th tourney.
You know what I was thinking when I came up to the balcony after the All-Star match and you held out your hand? I thought, I owe you a ton. You encouraged me like crazy, you and Deanna and Kent and Joslin. Then there you are in the championships and me in the All-Stars. I’ll never forget this week.
Good to see you again, Rance. I don’t, enough.
I love you, Rance Rizzuto.
This week (the week after) SUCKS. I love finding blogs like yours and Laura’s to keep me going!
[...] you read my A Week In Philly post you know a little bit about the experience and how it can relate to drug addiction, or just [...]
Awesome seeing you again this year, Rance, and watching you play and ref. And it’s totally true, the drug metaphor. Since I got back, I’ve found myself doing a ton more improv shows, just so I can come down more gently.