Week 4: Game Time!

This week we focused on performance games using the music and genre work we’ve spent time on over the last few weeks. I think we were all happy to get to the performance games. If I had any athletic ability at all, I would tell you it was like going from doing drills at practice to playing scrimmages. But…I don’t, so I won’t say that.

During the music games, we worked with musical tracks for the first time, rather than singing only a cappella. That, as we learned, is a mixed bag. It’s nice to have some musical support, and I tend to think you sing a little better with music behind you…but, you no longer have the freedom to just sing however you want.

I particularly enjoyed the genre games we did. We started by telling a story with each of the five of us using a different genre/style. I was assigned the style of an investigative reporter, which, being in the media, was especially satisfying (do you know meerkats are killing YOUR children?!?) We also did a game called “Replay,” where we did the same short scene in three different genres, and one called “Split Stage,” where the genre you use depends on what side of the stage you are on.

Ed also provided us with a list of movies and books that are good examples of many of the genres we’ll use. I’ve already watched Gypsy, which showed me that everything Bugs Bunny cartoons taught me about vaudeville is absolutely accurate.

I think this was most fun session we’ve had. Everybody is really coming together well. The energy is higher and higher, and we’re working together better and better. I say this every week, but it’s a lot of fun to see the progress. It makes you realize the time and resources you’re putting into the class are worth it.

To close, I’ll share with you the most challenging bit of advice I got. Ed told me my eyes were going to him too much while I was on stage…he told me to stop looking at him. Anyone who has seen Ed’s glamour shot on the ComedySportz web site knows this is a tough assignment…but I will press through.