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! 

5 Tips for Improvising as a Roving Character

When you are improvising as a roving character at an event, here are 5 tips that I've picked up to help make your time successful.

I've been doing roving characters at events for nine years - I started by playing Captain Morgan in the bars of British Columbia's lower mainland. Since then, I've been all over the world playing over 50 characters that make people laugh and create fun memories at events. These pics are from my gig last month in Switzerland helping to host a week long event. 

1. Have a good costume. It's the worst when your costume is shoddy. First impression has to make the audience want to look at you. Details are key. Try to get a NAME TAG that shows you're with the group. Interactive elements, props, and little gifts to give out make your job easier.

2. Have a good vibe. If you're having a good relaxed time, that joy will spread. 

3. Have a few start up lines or puns. This initiates contact with the crowd and lets you assess if they're cool with improvising a little with you. 

4. Create in the moment. Based on the reactions you get, let the relationship with the audience member unfold and play for as long as they're enjoying it. 

5. Know when to roam. Not everyone loves a roaming character. Be ready to say a quick joke or make an impression and gracefully make a fast retreat. Sometimes being part of the background like standing at a doorway is the best way to entertain and not annoy. 

I wish you all the best improvising as a roving character!

Bloom where you're planted... and transplant often!

My dear community, friends, and family,

I'm excited to announce that Jonathan and I will be returning to Vancouver this July, 2016!

New York City has been amazing. We've grown and learned so much.
The city both humbled me and lifted me up. 

I'm gonna miss the big apple and I'll be back lots.

We're heading back west a year early because Jon got his dream position to start doctorin' at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital. I'm looking forward to be back performing at Vancouver TheatreSports League, and with my dear troupes The Fictionals Comedy Company and Queer Prov.

I'm gonna squeeze every ounce of love I can get out of our remaining 3 months in New York. I've made and deepened amazing friendships especially with my Dirty Little Secrets Improv Show cast and fans.
Being in the same city as Stephen Sheffer was the best part of the whole year. You are an absolute inspiration Shef.

I remember a banner that hung in the gym in my elementary school read "Bloom where you are planted!"
I've embraced that motto and now I'll add to it - "and transplant often!"
Change helps me to grow.
See you soon Vancouver :)

Our March Dirty Little Secrets Show - With Jon as Doctor Spill!

The Planning Conundrum

On the first page of his autobiography Born Standing Up, Steve Martin writes:

"My most persistent memory of stand-up is of my mouth being in the present and my mind being in the future: the mouth speaking the line, the body delivering the gesture, while the mind looks back, observing, analyzing, judging, worrying, and then deciding when and what to say next. Enjoyment while performing was rare - enjoyment would have been an indulgent loss of focus that comedy cannot afford."

This set off alarm bells for me.
I hadn't come across this explanation of the mind, the body, and the mouth in different time zones before. Yet, these bells ring true.

It brings to mind a question I've wrestled with for a long time:
How can I be "fully in the moment" and yet still anticipate and make plans for the future? 
I ask this both for when I'm on stage performing in improv shows, and in life.
Can I get my mind, body, and mouth all in the same time zone?

This question may not lead to an answer. But, I believe that dwelling in the question is more valuable than a single answer. I learned from a great professor back in university that this pursuit of dwelling in questions will bring the reward of better questions and realizations.

Where I'm at now in the journey of this question is this - When I set time aside to set intentions, plan, and organize, I can be more fully present in moments that lead me toward my goals. 

For me, this means journaling about my goals, practicing and performing improv to get in the zone, and looking ahead in my calendar to organize my time. These activities allow me to get closer to being present when it counts - creating those purposeful moments. Planning allows you to have purposeful moments that help you to get closer to your goals.

In a recent improv practice I learned that regardless of your great ideas and vision, you must be present and listen to co-create or you'll just live in your plan without flexibility and deny your partner's offer in the scene.

So, plan to get your mind, body, and mouth in the same time zone more often... and then when they are - listen and be flexible with the plan according to what is actually happening.

Tougher than it sounds!

Some photo highlights since my last blog:

Dirty Little Secrets - Second Show, Nov '15

Lots of trash comes from NYC

We took in some improv in Chicago for our 1 year anniversary

My sister's wedding in Jamaica

You are ready!

In the last post on my blog, I explored the idea that you are enough. 

Today, I follow up on that idea with another assertion - YOU ARE READY! 


In my work as a corporate communications trainer, I often hear clients tell me that their confidence is directly linked to how much preparation they've done.

In other words, they often don't feel confident if they haven't prepared.

I didn't feel nearly ready to leave Vancouver! 

Improv teaches us that you can be confident without being prepared because you are READY.
Your wisdom, experience, intuition, and ability are all available to you to make something up in the moment. To co-create with your audience.

You're ready to listen.
You're ready to contribute based on what you hear.
You're ready to be in the moment.

Of course preparation is essential. Sometimes though, we use preparation as something to hide behind as a way to cheat ourselves of being in the moment. Being prepared sometimes means doing it "like you practiced" or delivering the thinking that you've done previously. It can be comfortable to live in the past. It takes great courage to be in the moment and jump in "unprepared" and aware.


You may be unprepared, but that doesn't mean you're not ready.

You are enough.
You are ready.

Right now.

Met up with some Vancouver Improv pals after my first weekend in NYC!

Jon and I saw the Sunday Service perform at the PIT Theatre

You are enough!

In both my corporate training work and improv teaching I've been exploring a theme: you are enough.

It's the concept that your experience, your wisdom, your approach, and your interpretation are all ENOUGH.

We spend so much time not being as confident as we could be because we're second guessing our worth and inner genius. The performers (and communicators) that I've noticed to be most comfortable in their own skin seem to know that they are enough.

So approach your moments with the confidence that if you listen you'll find the answer, if you're present you'll connect with everyone, and if you be yourself it will be the greatest gift for everyone else.



Because you are enough. Right now. You are enough.

Happy Improvising!

I recently had to remind myself that I'm enough while getting ready for our move to New York!