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! 

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

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