A random jam
Reflections on the awkward
The other night, one of the many random LA indie improv groups I follow posted that they had open spots to play for their Harold* Jam night.
A Harold, for those uninitiated, non-nerds among us, is the form of long-form improv popularized by Del Close and became the hallmark form of the Upright Citizens Brigade. Unlike short-form (the improv style streamed into houses across America by Whose Line is it Anyway), long-form improv is a series of scenes based on one word or suggestion from the audience. A team may start a scene cold, just going off the word, or they may pull “premise”—the team may tell monologues, talk amongst themselves, or use another means of generating ideas to get the ball rolling.
This is the common start to most Harolds. From there it follows a strict form: 2 improvisers come and do a short scene based on one of the premises (a first beat), then there are 2 more first beats and a group game (everyone does a scene together). These scenes don’t have to be related—they can exist in the same world, or they won’t, in fact, it probably makes more sense if they don’t. In each first beat, you establish the “unusual thing” or “game” of a scene, then ideally, the games comes back in the second beats, in which the same two improvisers do another scene. Then another group game before a third beat, which is usually just a short scene or a joke to cap the scene (a button as we say in the biz).
Still with me? It’s okay if you’re not. I barely stayed with me while I was typing it. Like most improv, it doesn’t make sense unless you’re there in the moment—and even then it may or may not make sense.
So, I went to this jam (what improvisers call a show when people who don’t normally play together play random shows together) and did a Harold.
I had met a few of my teammates before in classes or seen them around other improv spots, but I hadn’t really played with any of them before. I wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself into when I said I wanted to play, but my whole improv experience has been about putting myself out there and trying something new, so I went.
It’s weird doing improv with people you don’t. When you’ve been in a class with people, you know their strengths, weaknesses, and weird habits. It’s a lot easier to predict how a scene might go, and you can trust your teammates to step in and help you out if you’re in a bind.
This was my first time doing a jam, and not having that context and rapport with my team definitely made my improv more awkward…I found myself caught in my head as I didn’t want to be judged for making the wrong move or having a moment that wasn’t funny, and this internal critique is the LEAST helpful thing when you need to be listening and fully present.
In fact, that need for presence is the thing I like most about improv. As someone who spends a lot of time in her head, reliving conversations, planning for the next ones, or fielding other general worries, improv forces me to be outside of myself, to be in tune with what’s going on around me. It’s freeing that way.
When I left the jam, I was upset that I let myself get caught up in the awkward—worrying about what the other improvisers would think instead of giving into the moment—instead of focusing on how proud I was of myself for just saying yes and showing up.
Now that I’ve had some time to think about it. I’m reframing what I got out of that night. Was it the best improv I have ever done? Absolutely not. And, having gone to many improv shows, I do know that not every night is a winner—even if you’re a seasoned improviser.
But more importantly, I showed up. I took a chance on myself and I pushed through the awkwardness, knowing that practice will only make me better. I’m proud of myself for saying yes (and).
*Note: I don’t know why it’s called a Harold.
Ten things this week:
The spate of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation has me beyond mad. Glaad has some great resources on how we can fight the hateful laws. Please check it out. Love is greater than hate.
My favorite drag queen, Jinkx Monsoon, is starring in Chicago on Broadway, and on her podcast Hi Jinkx, she had KRISTIN CHENOWETH as her guest. My favorite movie musical of 2003 AND my favorite actress of 2003!?!? 13-year-old Melanie was freaking out listening to this episode today.
Speaking of Chicago, it won the Oscar for Best Picture TWENTY years ago. It is as good as ever. Go watch it. Did you know that Catherine Zeta-Jones was PREGNANT when she filmed it!?!
I’m singing in a choir! We have a concert on Saturday in LA, and I love the pieces we are singing. Wanting Memories has forever been a favorite of mine, and it feels so good to revisit this piece.
Quincy Jones did an arrangement of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, and it is everything I could have asked for and more.
History of the World Part II is streaming this week. This is a sequel 40 years in the making and I, for one, cannot get enough.
Speaking of improv, if you are looking for a great way to spend your Friday night, The Last Improv Show is one of my favorite shows in LA. And, you can livestream it from the comfort of your home. I’ll be in the audience (in person) tomorrow.
This is how you lip sync for your life. Yes, this episode of Rupaul’s Drag Racewas 2 weeks ago, but I cannot stop watching Sasha Colby and Anetra slayyyyyy.
As my grocery shopping has become inconsistent at best, I’m trying a meal service for the first time. I have my first EveryPlate box coming on Monday. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I finished Emily St. John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility over the weekend. I loved her novel The Glass Hotel, and Sea of Tranquility had the same lovely prose and speculative fiction.
That’s it for this week. See ya next time.
Melanie