MOVEMBER!

Well, it's been 5 years since I've grown a MO for Movember.

For my dad, for my nephews, and for myself.... I'm joining the team again this year!
Specifically, Guy Dubé Bureau's MO team, Kick Ass MOs

I'll be shaving my beard tonight at Puff the Magic Improv Show and the 'stache sprouts tomorrow.

My moustache is in need of your support! Please donate to my #Movember efforts and help me change the face of men’s health.

https://mobro.co/dandumsha?mc=1

I'm also pledging to run 30km this month for THIS man's health.

Help me on this journey! join or support.

Big love
Dan

Want to do a great thing?

Want to do a great thing?
Say YES to a good thing!
Or be stuck with no-thing. 

Planning, brainstorming, and collaborating are HARD. So many times, we find it easy to say what we don't want or to point out the flaws in other people's ideas. It happens to the best of us. In improv we call this the "Yes, But" approach or "blocking". 

We can even confuse pointing out risks and gaps as the way we bring value in collaboration. I find that "bad" ideas usually fall away naturally when I support "good" ideas. Bad ideas don't need to be assassinated.... that gives them more focus. 

Try to focus on what you want instead of what you don't want. 

Try saying what you love about someone's idea before saying what you hate about it. 

Chances are, it will lead to a good thing that will eventually lead to a great thing.
For me, this is the heart of the "Yes, And" approach to life.
I hope we can all build toward great things! 

Speaking of saying YES,
Join us at STAGE TIME Open Improv Jam and try improv with me and the cast of our Tuesday shows!
Tuesday January 16th, 8pm at XYYVR (Bute and Davie Street)
No Cover, pay what you can

https://www.facebook.com/events/104672393433504/

Think improv is about thinking fast? Think again!

When I tell people that I improvise, the response is often "wow, I could never do that - I'm not fast enough" or "you must be able to think really fast on your feet."

Actually, I find that success and enjoyment in improv is the exact opposite.
It's about slowing down and listening.

When you are really and actually in the moment you can really and actually listen.
Then the moment that you are in gets brighter and the next move becomes obvious and joyful.

Instead of thinking fast about what to do next... choose a real emotion (C.A.R.E.) and slow down. Be there. What comes next will be organic and have folks marvelling about how fast you seem to think.

It's been an awesome and challenging year! 

In 2017 I've performed improv in Vancouver, New York, Seattle, Rome, Dublin, and Melbourne. 

I've made new friends and connected with treasured old ones. 

I'm minding my mind and working to "drop the rope" that leads to a negative brain feedback loop. I'm surfing the moment whenever and wherever I can. 

I wish all my friends, family, and followers a very happy new year and all the best in 2018. 

Hope we see each other at a show, in a classroom, or somewhere unexpected! 

My heart continues to be bold,

Dan

DJS Production Team - Dan, Jamie, Sarah Dawn
 Thanks to these amazing improvisors who help make my world a better place.
Catch our next show! 

Talent and Taste

After 3 years of healing from a back injury, I got up on the mountain and.... I've still got some talent! 

Improv is frustrating when you start out. 

Like snowboarding, or riding a bike, or any skill. 

You know what's funny, but your scenes don't seem to reflect your sense of humour. 
Or how funny you know you are. Here's the thing: 
You have to wait for your talent to catch up to your taste. 

Keep at it! The fact that you're unhappy is a GOOD THING. It shows you have good taste. 

Keep watching shows and noting why you laugh and the technique that is happening on stage to make you laugh. You'll get there... and when your talent catches up to your taste - oh man are you gonna have fun. Some more good news? Just like snowboarding, you retain a huge part of your talent once you've built it up.

Backstage at XY YVR with the cast for one of our Tuesday night shows. Felt so good to do a show & be proud of the work. 

Focus on the LOVE

Tatiana: Never try to win over the naysayers and the haters, put all of your energy into impressing the people who were supporters of you from the beginning.

Ru Paul: That is very wise. Because you know what? I ain't got time for the people who hate me, I'm too busy loving the people who love me.

Tatiana: Exactly. 

My husband and I love to watch Ru Paul's Drag Race because it is fantastic television with occasional life guidance.

In the second episode of All Stars, Season 2 (airing now), Ru Paul was interviewing the Drag Queens as they prepared their impersonations for the upcoming snatch game challenge. Tatiana and Ru had this meaningful exchange about paying attention to critics.

This rocked my world and I've been living by these words ever since.


Haters? Naysayers? I'm too busy loving the people who love me.


In this vein, I've got some catching up to do with my readers, since I haven't posted an entry in my blog since April.

I'm back in Vancouver, settling in nicely - and ready to resume sharing my discoveries and focus in improv and living in the moment yet again. I'm working on two new shows that premiere this month with LOVEly teams that will include more and more folks as we go. (posters below)
Thanks for joining me.


Now, stop trying to win over naysayers and focus on the LOVE.

Upcoming Dirty Little Secrets Improv Show in VANCOUVER!

LIGHTS! Debuts Oct 11th.

Nicole Visits NYC!

Sarah visits NYC

Jamie visits NYC

Shef visits Vancouver

Colin Visits Vancouver