- Many improv games - one I found particularly challenging was called “Whisky Mixers.” We stood in a circle and had to turn to the person on the right and say, “Whisky Mixers” it would go around the circle. If you want to send it the other way around the group you respond to “Whisky Mixers” with the phrase “Kitty Whiskers.” The final option was to point to someone across the circle and call out “Misty Vistas.” This sounds hard enough but what did me in was you had to do it all without cracking a smile or laughing. If you did - you had to run a lap around the circle. I spent 97% of the time running.
- I like people. I know this sounds silly coming from a person who's job is essentially to love people professionally. I think I just needed to be reminded. When I was put into a class with 15 strangers from all over the country and with diverse backgrounds I saw a glimpse again of the wild beauty of humans. Not a single person in the group was perfect (including me) and we formed a community anyway.
- I can rap! The exercise that scared me the most was a free form style of rapping. One at a time we had to go into the circle and rap. Hello! Middle-age white mom here! SOOOO not my art form. But I jumped in and did my best and it was actually kinda awesome!
- The shows on the main stages of Second City are amazing. On Thursday night my class went together to see the production called, “Soul Brother Where Art Thou.” It dealt with race, sexism, “bros” social media stalking and so many other issues handled brilliantly. If you EVER get the chance to see a main stage show here in Chicago - do it.
- The smaller shows are slightly less amazing. Wednesday night I attended “Game Night at Second City.” It was essentially a improv troop playing old gameshows on stage with some audience participation. Although I did get on stage with friends as part of the “Miller Family” for family feud. I would still give the show a solid “Meh.” This rating could also have been influenced by the heard of drunk middle management men there from a convention. They, of course, sat behind me.
- I'm really excited for next week. I expect the work will get harder as I go on but I think I'm feeling ready to challenge myself. This is really a once in a life time opportunity. I'm gonna spread my arms and jump.