1 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Therapy for Black Girls Podcast, a weekly conversation 2 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:20,160 Speaker 1: about mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions 3 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 1: we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. 4 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Doctor Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist 5 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 1: in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information or to find a 6 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 1: therapist in your area, visit our website at Therapy for 7 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:40,640 Speaker 1: Blackgirls dot com. While I hope you love listening to 8 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: and learning from the podcast, it is not meant to 9 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:47,880 Speaker 1: be a substitute for a relationship with a licensed mental 10 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 1: health professional. Hey, y'all, thanks so much for joining me 11 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 1: for session three forty three of the Therapy for Black 12 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:04,400 Speaker 1: Girls Podcast. We'll get right into our conversation afterword from 13 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 1: our sponsors. Welcome back for another episode of our January 14 00:01:17,959 --> 00:01:22,319 Speaker 1: Jumpstart mini series. All month long, we're having conversations with 15 00:01:22,440 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 1: talented black women leaders across creative and professional mediums to 16 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 1: assist you in putting the p and prioritizing your personal growth. 17 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:33,399 Speaker 1: If you've been holding back on doing you, this is 18 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: your sign to jump headfirst into the possibilities of a 19 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:46,640 Speaker 1: new year. As we enter a new year, perhaps you're 20 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 1: looking to incorporate more laughter, fun, and teamwork into your 21 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:52,920 Speaker 1: daily routine. Well, what if I told you that there's 22 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 1: an activity that can help you do all of these 23 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 1: things plus learn to yes and your way through this 24 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:02,120 Speaker 1: roller coaster of emotions we call life. I'm talking about 25 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:05,960 Speaker 1: improv comedy, and today's guests is here to share all 26 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,920 Speaker 1: about it. Joining me today is improv player and coach 27 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:13,800 Speaker 1: Eva R. Lewis. For over a decade, she's been seen 28 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:17,639 Speaker 1: performing with several improv teams in the Washington, DC area, 29 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:21,240 Speaker 1: as well as at comedy festivals around the world. Since 30 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 1: twenty seventeen, she's been one half of White Privileged Black Power, 31 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:29,080 Speaker 1: an award winning diversity and inclusion improv show that she 32 00:02:29,200 --> 00:02:34,359 Speaker 1: also co created and is offered to organizations. In our conversation, 33 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 1: Eva and I explore the mental health benefits of improv, 34 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 1: how to find inclusive improv communities in your area, and 35 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 1: the ways in which the fundamentals of improv can bleed 36 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 1: positively into your daily life. If something resonates with you 37 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 1: while enjoying our conversation, share it with us on social 38 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:57,680 Speaker 1: media using the hashtag TVG in Session, or join us 39 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:00,519 Speaker 1: over the Sister Circle to talk more about the episode. 40 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 1: You can join us at community dot therapy for blackgirls 41 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:11,720 Speaker 1: dot com. Here's our conversation. But thank you so much 42 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:12,920 Speaker 1: for joining us today, Eva. 43 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, thanks for having me. Yeah, I'm excited to 44 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:16,680 Speaker 2: chat with you. 45 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:18,640 Speaker 1: So if you could take us back to the beginning, 46 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:20,840 Speaker 1: can you tell me a little bit about what inspired 47 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 1: you to get interested in improv and what was your 48 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 1: first experience with it? 49 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, So what inspired me is that when I was 50 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 2: in law school, I had a group of friends. We 51 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:32,679 Speaker 2: would go to Second City in Chicago and they put 52 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 2: on a bunch of variety shows frequently, so we would 53 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 2: go to just about all the shows. And then when 54 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 2: I was graduating from law school, I had a friend Mike, 55 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 2: who was like, I'm going to take a class and 56 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 2: I was like, Oh, you take a class, I'll take 57 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 2: it with you. So while we're studying for the bar, 58 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 2: we're taking this improv class and it was a blast. 59 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 2: It was like a nice release vow of like to 60 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 2: be silly and the fun, meet new people, and then 61 00:03:56,160 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 2: we would go hang out afterwards after class. So I 62 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:02,240 Speaker 2: kept that up, went through the whole Second City curriculum 63 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 2: and then the two levels at IO in Chicago, and 64 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 2: then moved back home and kept doing improv. So the 65 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 2: first taste was watching the shows and then saying like, oh, 66 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:14,120 Speaker 2: this is fun, enjoyable, and then the second part was 67 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,480 Speaker 2: like just getting the idea when I saw someone else 68 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:18,599 Speaker 2: doing it to say hey, I want to do it too. 69 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 1: Wow. So that's quite an interesting mix to be studying 70 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 1: for the bar and then taking your improv classes. Yes, 71 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 1: I can imagine. It was a great like stress reliever, 72 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:29,240 Speaker 1: a very different part of your. 73 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:34,160 Speaker 2: Brain, exactly exactly, and it lined up perfectly because you 74 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 2: would go to class in the morning for your bar classes. 75 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 2: Then I would go to the Starbucks that was connected 76 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 2: to the theater and just stay there all day and 77 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 2: then six fifty then move on over to class for 78 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:46,680 Speaker 2: seven o'clock. And then it was over two weeks before 79 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 2: the bar. So there was no excuse, right that this 80 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:52,119 Speaker 2: is taken away from studying and passing, and I did pass, 81 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 2: so it was it was a great time and it 82 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:56,360 Speaker 2: was just fun and. 83 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:59,640 Speaker 1: Silly, right right, right. So for those of us who 84 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 1: may not be you super familiar with improv, can you 85 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 1: give us a definition, like, what are some of the 86 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 1: fundamentals of improv? 87 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, so improv is definitely in the word. And then 88 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:12,520 Speaker 2: particularly for improv comedy, which is what I do, everything 89 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:16,360 Speaker 2: is made up on the spot. What you're given as 90 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:19,800 Speaker 2: a reformer or your group is you get some type 91 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:22,360 Speaker 2: of prompt, a git we call it, and then that 92 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:25,120 Speaker 2: shows the audience that you are making it up on 93 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 2: the spot. So everything that you see, whether it be 94 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:31,599 Speaker 2: short form or long form, and short form is like 95 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 2: if you watch whose line is it any way, where 96 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 2: they're doing games and they set up the game and 97 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:38,080 Speaker 2: then they play the game. Or if you're doing long form, 98 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 2: which is like you're doing a scene like if you 99 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:42,560 Speaker 2: would go to a theater to see a play or movie, 100 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:45,800 Speaker 2: there's a scene. That scene is completely made up. And 101 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:47,720 Speaker 2: then what the improv comedy part is that you are 102 00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 2: trying to be funny. You're trying to entertain in that way. 103 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 2: And so there are some basic principles that you learn. 104 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:55,719 Speaker 2: And the main one that I'll say, and this is 105 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:58,760 Speaker 2: something that maybe people have heard of, is yes and 106 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 2: it is the mantra of improv. It is the first 107 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:04,560 Speaker 2: thing you will ever learn if you take a class 108 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 2: is that yes and aspect, which is to say yes 109 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 2: to whatever reality what's being said, and then you try 110 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:12,839 Speaker 2: to add on top of it, and you go through 111 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:16,479 Speaker 2: a variety of exercises like no butt or yes but 112 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:19,320 Speaker 2: and you'll realize that you can get to the fun 113 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:21,920 Speaker 2: faster if you just say yes and to what's been 114 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:23,400 Speaker 2: given to you. Got it? 115 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 1: Got it. So it sounds like you guys started, Like 116 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 1: you mentioned one of your friends was taking a class 117 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 1: and you were like, oh, okay, I'll go with you. So 118 00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:32,680 Speaker 1: if somebody is interested in starting improv, would they just 119 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 1: look up classes in their area? Like how do you 120 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 1: get started with it? Yeah? 121 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 2: So the way you get started is like most places 122 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 2: have a improv theater or they have a theater that 123 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:46,000 Speaker 2: has like some improv class or workshop. So I would say, 124 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:48,800 Speaker 2: if you're in the DC area, there's a Washington Improv Theater. 125 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 2: I'm teaching a class in January of twenty twenty four, 126 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:54,839 Speaker 2: level one. If you want to come through, just google 127 00:06:54,839 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 2: improv classes, check your local theater. Also, there's a bunch 128 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:02,440 Speaker 2: of resources on online and a bunch of books. But 129 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:05,680 Speaker 2: obviously the best avenue is to take a class where 130 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:08,680 Speaker 2: you're either virtual I think some folks are still doing that, 131 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:11,640 Speaker 2: or you are in person doing it. 132 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 1: Got it? So what might we expect at our first class, Like, 133 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:16,840 Speaker 1: is there a way to just sit and pay attention 134 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:19,040 Speaker 1: and look in see what other people are doing first 135 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:19,960 Speaker 1: before you jump in. 136 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 2: Some people try to do that and then you just 137 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 2: try to coax them in because here's the thing. What 138 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:28,320 Speaker 2: improv And everyone's biased about their own or form, but 139 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 2: what improv It's supposed to be a collaborative, inclusive environment, right, 140 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 2: So the idea is that there is no wrong answer. 141 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 2: As I tell my students, there may be a better answer, 142 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:42,880 Speaker 2: but there's never any wrong answer. So the thing is 143 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 2: there are workshops where you can get it like a 144 00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 2: taste of improv right, you know, two hours and it's 145 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 2: usually like free events. I know ar theor does it. 146 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 2: But the main thing is don't be too scared of it, 147 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 2: because if you're going to anything improvised classes, the environment 148 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 2: is such that people want to invite you, and we 149 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 2: know this can be scary, especially if you're trying to 150 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 2: be funny. You're like, I'm not funny, and what we 151 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 2: all are funny in our own ways. So the main 152 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 2: thing I'll just say, like, just give it a try. 153 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 2: If you don't like it, leave all right, But I 154 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 2: guarantee you're gonna get something out of it. 155 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 1: So can you walk us through an introductory class that 156 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 1: we might see in our first improud class. 157 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, your first class level one. We start off one 158 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 2: acknowledging that like, hey, we all are our beginners, we're 159 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:32,439 Speaker 2: all new. Most time, you don't know people, so you're 160 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:34,719 Speaker 2: set in the groundwork to like, hey, I think the 161 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 2: nails we use is like we're like a cool startup, right, 162 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 2: like at your workplace, So like you don't want to 163 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:42,959 Speaker 2: be too edgy. Some people they want to talk about 164 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 2: topics that may ignited a discussion, and the thing is like, 165 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:49,040 Speaker 2: if you're in a work setting, you probably wouldn't say that, right, 166 00:08:49,160 --> 00:08:52,559 Speaker 2: but you would talk about what's on TV, what's happening here, 167 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:55,679 Speaker 2: or the latest gossip or whatever. That's fine. So it's 168 00:08:55,679 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 2: like setting that base ground you'll work and then the 169 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:01,599 Speaker 2: first thing you're doing is like how to access the 170 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 2: yes and part of it. So you're doing exercises where 171 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:07,680 Speaker 2: you're not trying to be funny. All we're trying to 172 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 2: do is just work your mind to like bring words 173 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 2: and phrases when you can. And so you may start 174 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:16,560 Speaker 2: with an exercise where it's two people, two lines lined 175 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:19,439 Speaker 2: up and you're just saying, like, hey, just state and 176 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 2: occupation that you are, right, and then layer on an 177 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 2: emotion to it. So like if you were a cardiologist, 178 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:30,560 Speaker 2: but you are a happy colorologist, Hey, I know your 179 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 2: heart is clogged up, but we're gonna get through it, right, 180 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 2: And so like if you're responding to that on the 181 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 2: other end, you're just like, all right, doctor, you're really 182 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 2: giving me positive vibes. So the main thing is just 183 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:44,120 Speaker 2: like jumping right in and doing the whole yes and 184 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:47,000 Speaker 2: exercise of it and then playing with the emotion. Like 185 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 2: that's a really big part at least the improv is 186 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 2: like accessing that emotion that it will inform your character 187 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 2: and allow you to sustain a scene. 188 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:58,360 Speaker 1: Got it. So it is a scene that you're trying 189 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:01,079 Speaker 1: to build because I'm trying to play along as you're 190 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:03,160 Speaker 1: giving this exercise, and I'm like, Okay, if I were 191 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 1: in this other line and somebody said, okay, I'm a 192 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:10,200 Speaker 1: happy cardiologist, Like then do I introduce myself as like 193 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 1: whatever my profession is? Or am I building on the 194 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 1: story of the happy cardiologists? 195 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 2: Exactly? The two levels, right, one is like you could 196 00:10:17,679 --> 00:10:23,079 Speaker 2: be another profession, right, which is the pensive librarian, right, 197 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:24,920 Speaker 2: and so what the pensive lart is making my face 198 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 2: scrunch up and I'm thinking real hard. But I'm a librarian, 199 00:10:27,920 --> 00:10:30,200 Speaker 2: so I'm here to help you tackle whatever it is 200 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 2: you're doing, and then you can build off because now 201 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 2: you have a character, like who you are and like 202 00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:38,440 Speaker 2: your point of view in this scene. So like the 203 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 2: one step would be that where you're just like taking 204 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:44,520 Speaker 2: care of yourself, which is like having an emotion, having 205 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:47,040 Speaker 2: a character. But then the other part of that could 206 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 2: be maybe you are the patient and you're seeing this 207 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:53,000 Speaker 2: happy cardiologist. Now do you want your cardiologists of your 208 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 2: problems to be so happy and care free? Right? You, 209 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:58,320 Speaker 2: as the improviser can make that decision. Right, You're like, 210 00:10:58,520 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 2: I'm really digging this, So you're like, you know what, 211 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 2: I just know I need you to be a little 212 00:11:02,960 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 2: bit more serious and like just bring that happiness down 213 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:08,760 Speaker 2: because I got called darteries going on right now. That's 214 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:11,520 Speaker 2: what you can play into. But the main thing is 215 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 2: is like taking in what's been said to you and 216 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:15,839 Speaker 2: then just adding on to it. 217 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:19,560 Speaker 1: Got it. So I appreciate that you started a part 218 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:21,960 Speaker 1: of this conversation talking about like there's no wrong way, 219 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:24,839 Speaker 1: and I would imagine because I'm like, Okay, well, how 220 00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 1: do I get this right? 221 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 2: What's the right answer? Exactly? 222 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: Like what even as like a law student like you're training, 223 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:35,560 Speaker 1: is there is a right answer to these things. And 224 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:38,600 Speaker 1: so this is really expanding you in a very different 225 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:41,120 Speaker 1: way to kind of release this idea that there's a 226 00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:44,280 Speaker 1: right answer into really lean into this more playful side. 227 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:47,680 Speaker 2: Yeah. And here's the thing, Like with improv, I want 228 00:11:47,679 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 2: to say there's no wrong answer, right, because we improvise 229 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 2: all day like this podcast episode we're doing right, we're comprovising. 230 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:56,320 Speaker 2: And so the thing is like in real life when 231 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:59,280 Speaker 2: you're talking to friends or families or your work, right, 232 00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:00,720 Speaker 2: there are things you say and you're like, oh, I 233 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 2: wish I had said it a different way, right, But 234 00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 2: here's the thing, your message got communicated, right, You're like, 235 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:08,360 Speaker 2: maybe my delivery should have been different or I should 236 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:10,600 Speaker 2: have used different kind of words. It's the same thing 237 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:14,200 Speaker 2: with improv comedy. And it's a space like to allow 238 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 2: you to have that freedom but also have the freedom 239 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:20,120 Speaker 2: particularly as an adult, where you are what you are 240 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 2: saying and doing is being accepted and that you're adding 241 00:12:23,640 --> 00:12:26,320 Speaker 2: onto it. So yeah, so know that there is no 242 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:29,200 Speaker 2: right answer. There may be a different word, but I 243 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:31,640 Speaker 2: like better, There could be a better response to a 244 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:33,680 Speaker 2: better way of playing in a scene. 245 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:36,319 Speaker 1: Got it, Got it? So what would you say are 246 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:39,120 Speaker 1: some of the most common misconceptions about improv? 247 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:44,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, this definitely has gotten better since I've been doing improv, 248 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 2: But like initially it was like white male, young, twenty 249 00:12:50,760 --> 00:12:55,400 Speaker 2: some years old, flannel at least flannel was a big 250 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:57,440 Speaker 2: thing when I came into the scene, as it seemed 251 00:12:57,440 --> 00:13:00,240 Speaker 2: like a uniform. And what's happening now is that you 252 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 2: now have more people of color, obviously more women who 253 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:06,000 Speaker 2: are performing, because a lot of times you would have 254 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,040 Speaker 2: teams where it's like all men and then like maybe 255 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:11,840 Speaker 2: one woman. But I have not seen that lately, and 256 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 2: if I see it, it's like very rare. Most teams 257 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 2: have a mix, and sometimes you have teams which are 258 00:13:16,679 --> 00:13:19,000 Speaker 2: all women. And so I think that's the big conception 259 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 2: is like this is a white male art form. And 260 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 2: not to say that they don't play big roles in 261 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:27,000 Speaker 2: terms of the improv world, but there are other voices 262 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,840 Speaker 2: that are coming in that are also playing roles. I 263 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:33,480 Speaker 2: would also say that people think you need the jokes 264 00:13:33,520 --> 00:13:36,760 Speaker 2: in improv and it really is not a joke setting 265 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:39,720 Speaker 2: what you're trying to do, and like this the whole 266 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:42,440 Speaker 2: discussion on it, what I imagine it is like more 267 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:46,280 Speaker 2: organic improv, which is like you're trying to build something 268 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 2: with your seene partner, with your team that you're finding 269 00:13:50,120 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 2: the fun right, you're just not anserting like if you 270 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 2: want to do jokes like stand up, maybe more over 271 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:58,640 Speaker 2: your speed because that you're like set up punchline right delivery. 272 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:01,840 Speaker 2: But with improv of a lot of times the humor 273 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:04,560 Speaker 2: of the funny is coming from the behavior and also 274 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:07,080 Speaker 2: what you're saying. But behavior in the way you're saying 275 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 2: and delivering it is where you're finding the fund. So 276 00:14:09,280 --> 00:14:12,240 Speaker 2: the thing is like you're not inserting jokes, you are 277 00:14:12,400 --> 00:14:14,839 Speaker 2: finding the fun that you typically would have in a 278 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 2: conversation like with your family and friends. Right, Like funny 279 00:14:18,559 --> 00:14:21,360 Speaker 2: moments come up the way someone said something, the way 280 00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:24,520 Speaker 2: someone did something that's causing funny, but they weren't coming 281 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:26,360 Speaker 2: in with a joke to the conversation. 282 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:30,160 Speaker 1: Got it, So improv doesn't always have to be funny, 283 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 1: Like is there a more dramatic version of improv or 284 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 1: is it always like improv comedy. 285 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:39,960 Speaker 2: Ninety nine percent of time it is improv comedy. Now 286 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:42,040 Speaker 2: you may go some of the improv shows you like 287 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 2: that was not funny, but they may have been trying 288 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 2: to be funny. 289 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:44,720 Speaker 1: Right. 290 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:47,000 Speaker 2: The thing is like, in terms of improv comedy, which 291 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:50,360 Speaker 2: is what I've been doing and my teams have been doing, 292 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 2: we want to be funny. There are shows and projects 293 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:59,440 Speaker 2: where folks are not going for the funny. It's still improvised, 294 00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 2: but they're going for more dramatic, more of a play 295 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 2: sort of thing. As a matter of fact, there is 296 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:07,360 Speaker 2: another branch of improv called playback. I've only seen it 297 00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:09,840 Speaker 2: once and they blew my mind away in a good way. 298 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:13,640 Speaker 2: They're not trying to be funny. It's more theatrical where 299 00:15:13,680 --> 00:15:16,040 Speaker 2: they take in what the audience is giving them and 300 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 2: then they play it back to you. And so there's 301 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:20,160 Speaker 2: the playback, right, they're playing it back to you, but 302 00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:24,000 Speaker 2: they're not going for laughs. They're going for more like heartfelt, grounded, 303 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:28,640 Speaker 2: sincere sort of improv. I would see definitely trying the 304 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 2: improv comedy just to stretch yourself. But once you get 305 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 2: that foundation, like going into more of the dramatic improv, 306 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 2: it is there and people do do it? 307 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 1: Got it? So what are the markets you're looking for 308 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 1: in terms of like, Okay, I'm getting better at improv comedy, 309 00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 1: Like how would I measure my success there? 310 00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 2: Yeah? I think one is the ease at which you 311 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 2: are reacting and playing with your same partner or your team. 312 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,160 Speaker 2: And so the way that would look like is when 313 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:02,120 Speaker 2: you initially start out, you're thinking a lot, right, You're like, Okay, 314 00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:03,760 Speaker 2: what am I going to say next? And what I 315 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:05,960 Speaker 2: try to tell my students is like, I know you're 316 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:09,840 Speaker 2: thinking because you missed something that your same partner said, 317 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:11,680 Speaker 2: and if you had heard what they said, you've been 318 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:13,440 Speaker 2: able to have a little bit more fun. So I 319 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:17,400 Speaker 2: think the idea of getting comfortable with like not knowing 320 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:21,000 Speaker 2: exactly what you're going to say, meaning like you're pre planning, 321 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:24,920 Speaker 2: and then also like as you perform more in front 322 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:28,480 Speaker 2: of an audience, getting reactions from an audience. Sometimes you 323 00:16:28,680 --> 00:16:31,840 Speaker 2: say something and you don't realize that it is funny 324 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 2: right until someone laughs, or you may have said something 325 00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:37,480 Speaker 2: that's cringeworthy and they go ooh, right like and then like, 326 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:40,360 Speaker 2: well that's still a reaction. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. 327 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:43,160 Speaker 2: When you get those Ooh, that's nasty. Right, It'll still 328 00:16:43,160 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 2: be it'll still be fun. So but the thing is, 329 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 2: like I think, in your mind, if you know, it's 330 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:53,600 Speaker 2: just getting easier to respond and to make them up, 331 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 2: to make them up right, the words and the phrases 332 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 2: and behavior, then you know you're going in the right direction. 333 00:16:59,640 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 2: There's a sort of thing like a flow. I think 334 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 2: I heard an athlete said probably the scripted actors and 335 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:08,680 Speaker 2: actress to say, but there's a certain flow in terms 336 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:11,960 Speaker 2: of how you're interacting when you're in the scene. 337 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 1: So you mentioned earlier, you know, like I think many 338 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:17,640 Speaker 1: of us have this idea that improv is like old 339 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:22,639 Speaker 1: white men with flannel. Like you said, right, young, what 340 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:25,280 Speaker 1: are some of the obstacles that you've had as a 341 00:17:25,320 --> 00:17:26,600 Speaker 1: black woman in this space. 342 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 2: I think the obstacles are and there have been discussions 343 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:36,480 Speaker 2: about this in terms of when you're actually doing scene work, right, 344 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:39,639 Speaker 2: because obviously we are bringing ourselves and ourselves are in 345 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 2: the world, and so we are bringing ourselves into these scenes. 346 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 2: And what happens a lot of times as women, I'll 347 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:49,159 Speaker 2: tell you, as women, and also as black women and 348 00:17:49,160 --> 00:17:51,840 Speaker 2: as black people, right, A lot of times you get 349 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 2: thrown into the girlfriend role or like the mom role. 350 00:17:55,520 --> 00:17:58,240 Speaker 2: There's a lot of scenes that I see and to 351 00:17:58,720 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 2: still see as like this whole trope of like women 352 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:06,680 Speaker 2: being naggers and like ruining men's lives or like send 353 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:12,200 Speaker 2: them up for this, or they like casual sexism or 354 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 2: like sexual things that like just comes up right, and 355 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:18,600 Speaker 2: a lot of times like the scene did not need that. 356 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 2: It's for whatever reason it's coming out. And I think 357 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:25,160 Speaker 2: also like in terms of black folks, and I see 358 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:27,520 Speaker 2: it here and like sometimes I'll point it out. I 359 00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:30,040 Speaker 2: think more if I play with more advanced players, more 360 00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 2: experienced players. But there's also like if you have a 361 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 2: white player and a black player, some of the same 362 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:38,879 Speaker 2: things that we see in real life you'll see on 363 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 2: the improv stage. You know, if they're a medical situation, 364 00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:45,080 Speaker 2: they're the nurse or the tech when it easily looked 365 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 2: like they were the doctor. There was a discussion amongst 366 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:50,680 Speaker 2: the DC and also other improv communities across the country 367 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:55,280 Speaker 2: about like getting more people of color onto teams and 368 00:18:55,400 --> 00:18:57,560 Speaker 2: like being open to that and not just having it 369 00:18:57,600 --> 00:18:59,840 Speaker 2: all be white male. At least there was a recognition 370 00:18:59,880 --> 00:19:03,280 Speaker 2: of that and like it has improved and going on 371 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:05,600 Speaker 2: from there. But in terms of those obstacles, I think 372 00:19:05,680 --> 00:19:08,280 Speaker 2: that's it. And I will say I'm on a team 373 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:12,119 Speaker 2: Colleena Dunham, which is a all black improv team, and 374 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:14,280 Speaker 2: when we first started, we were all the only black 375 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:17,200 Speaker 2: member of our improv team and that's how we started. 376 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:19,560 Speaker 2: And since then, I'm on teams of world I'm not 377 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:22,800 Speaker 2: the only one anymore. So I think those are obstacles 378 00:19:22,840 --> 00:19:25,680 Speaker 2: of just not like seeing yourself and also in terms 379 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:28,399 Speaker 2: of the topics that may come up and being able 380 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:30,800 Speaker 2: to play in that atmosphere and to be your true 381 00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:31,719 Speaker 2: authentic person. 382 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:35,080 Speaker 1: Mm hmm. Yeah. You know, as you're talking, I'm thinking, like, 383 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:39,480 Speaker 1: as a psychologist, this sounds like a fascinating projection exercise, right, 384 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:42,159 Speaker 1: because again, wherever you go, there you are. And so 385 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:44,800 Speaker 1: of course you're bringing all of your stuff to this 386 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,959 Speaker 1: character that you're building on stage, right, And so what 387 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:51,879 Speaker 1: is done? Are there ever any conversations that break the 388 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:55,359 Speaker 1: playing to say, let's pay attention to the dynamics that 389 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:57,440 Speaker 1: are happening here, Like why are all the black women 390 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 1: being cast as like caretaking roles? Are those kinds of 391 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:04,159 Speaker 1: conversations happening like as a part of a workshop. 392 00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:06,760 Speaker 2: Not as part of a workshop, but I know I've 393 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:10,280 Speaker 2: had to have one on one conversations or a broader 394 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:13,800 Speaker 2: conversation in classes about like, hey, in terms of how 395 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:17,320 Speaker 2: we're playing, a lot of times we'll play different genders, right, 396 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:19,440 Speaker 2: but a lot of times like gender doesn't matter within 397 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:22,440 Speaker 2: the scene, but they'll still say that you're a man, 398 00:20:22,520 --> 00:20:24,560 Speaker 2: and like this is like here's the thing, Like I 399 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:27,360 Speaker 2: present as a woman, right, and so like the idea 400 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:31,200 Speaker 2: because I'm now in a higher status, I'm now a man, right, 401 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:33,119 Speaker 2: Like there are women who are in higher statuses. So 402 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 2: I think having those conversations is a big one. And 403 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:39,720 Speaker 2: then in terms of the race conversations, right in terms 404 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:41,640 Speaker 2: of like hey, that scene you did with the cop 405 00:20:41,760 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 2: or the scene you're doing in terms of sexism or 406 00:20:44,040 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 2: racism in the workplace, right, Like I see where you 407 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:49,400 Speaker 2: were trying to go, but like we need to bring 408 00:20:49,440 --> 00:20:51,560 Speaker 2: it back a little bit. And I will say this 409 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:54,320 Speaker 2: since you said workshop. So there's another duo I'm on 410 00:20:54,640 --> 00:20:58,800 Speaker 2: called White Privileged Black Power. We started in January twenty seventeen. 411 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:01,760 Speaker 2: There was a show. It was like a social justice show, 412 00:21:02,280 --> 00:21:05,120 Speaker 2: and so my comedy partner Greg Tyndall, who's a white male, 413 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:07,880 Speaker 2: was like Hey, Eva, let's do a duo for this show. 414 00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:09,960 Speaker 2: And I was like cool, and so we started talking 415 00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:12,400 Speaker 2: about it. And the idea is that we started out 416 00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:16,399 Speaker 2: just asking each other questions, giving honest responses, and then 417 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:19,000 Speaker 2: doing improv scenes off of it. That's a direct way 418 00:21:19,040 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 2: of getting at some issues. So like one issue, and 419 00:21:22,840 --> 00:21:25,400 Speaker 2: it could be fun to silly. Like the first question 420 00:21:25,440 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 2: I ever asked Greg was like, Hey, Greg, do you 421 00:21:28,040 --> 00:21:30,159 Speaker 2: ever look in the mirror and just thank God that 422 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:33,720 Speaker 2: you were born? And like man? Right? And so Greg 423 00:21:33,760 --> 00:21:36,360 Speaker 2: took it in. I don't think he ever said yes, 424 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:39,720 Speaker 2: but then he went on this long tangent about America 425 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:42,080 Speaker 2: raise this, and then we did a scene off of it. 426 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:44,840 Speaker 2: Was fun. But the thing is like it was tackling 427 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:49,639 Speaker 2: something serious but layering on something fun and trying to 428 00:21:49,640 --> 00:21:53,440 Speaker 2: make it humorous in a way that's not offensive. Right. 429 00:21:53,520 --> 00:21:55,840 Speaker 2: We've done that, and we've done corporate workshops as well, 430 00:21:56,119 --> 00:21:58,160 Speaker 2: where we're in the workplace and people talk about real 431 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:01,400 Speaker 2: workplace things that happened to them, and we take that 432 00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:03,399 Speaker 2: and we try to layer I think a lot of 433 00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:06,720 Speaker 2: times we're layering on this very serious topic with something 434 00:22:06,760 --> 00:22:07,720 Speaker 2: that's not so serious. 435 00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:20,639 Speaker 1: Got It. Got It More from our conversation after the break. 436 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:25,280 Speaker 1: So our conversation EVA is you know, kind of encouraging 437 00:22:25,320 --> 00:22:26,879 Speaker 1: people like if they want to try this as a 438 00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:30,200 Speaker 1: hobby to you know, get started. And I would imagine 439 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:33,400 Speaker 1: for people who are in spaces that already feel oppressive 440 00:22:33,560 --> 00:22:35,639 Speaker 1: and if I am dealing with the stress of a 441 00:22:35,720 --> 00:22:37,359 Speaker 1: nine to five, I don't want to then go to 442 00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:39,400 Speaker 1: an improv workshop and I'm gonna still have to have 443 00:22:39,480 --> 00:22:43,040 Speaker 1: some of these like racism conversations. So what kinds of 444 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:45,320 Speaker 1: tips would you give for people to find spaces that 445 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:48,320 Speaker 1: may be more affirming. You mentioned that you're in an 446 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:50,960 Speaker 1: all black troop or comedy club, So what kinds of 447 00:22:50,960 --> 00:22:52,840 Speaker 1: tips would you give for people to find spaces where 448 00:22:52,880 --> 00:22:54,000 Speaker 1: they might not have to deal with. 449 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:56,800 Speaker 2: Some of that One resource, I would say, and it 450 00:22:56,840 --> 00:22:59,280 Speaker 2: may be more focused on the DC area, but I 451 00:22:59,320 --> 00:23:01,960 Speaker 2: think they also branch out nationally. It's called the Black 452 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 2: Improv Alliance, right, so it is a space of people 453 00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:09,040 Speaker 2: of African descent to find the creative spaces for themselves. 454 00:23:09,320 --> 00:23:13,320 Speaker 2: They're on Instagram, Black Improvate Alliance. Check them out. If 455 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:16,200 Speaker 2: you can sometimes take in a class with the front right, 456 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:20,360 Speaker 2: so that you have their comfort zone there while meeting 457 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:22,960 Speaker 2: different other folks, and a lot of times you may 458 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:26,880 Speaker 2: be in a workshop or a class where you could 459 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:28,800 Speaker 2: be the only black person or you could be only 460 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:32,960 Speaker 2: person of color, And so I would just say, like one, 461 00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:35,479 Speaker 2: definitely go take a workshop, like if there's a one 462 00:23:35,520 --> 00:23:37,480 Speaker 2: day workshop or two day workshop where you're just getting 463 00:23:37,480 --> 00:23:40,240 Speaker 2: the taste. So that way, if you're like this is 464 00:23:40,280 --> 00:23:42,399 Speaker 2: not for me, or like these people are bonkers, you 465 00:23:42,520 --> 00:23:44,639 Speaker 2: move on. But the main thing I would say, like 466 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:47,000 Speaker 2: if you could take a buddy, whether you is a 467 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,400 Speaker 2: good one, also the instructor, and not that this may 468 00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:52,639 Speaker 2: not be always, but if the instructor is a person 469 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:55,280 Speaker 2: of color, right, they may be more in tune. And 470 00:23:55,320 --> 00:23:57,159 Speaker 2: I'm not saying that's for all people, but like they 471 00:23:57,200 --> 00:23:59,280 Speaker 2: may be more in tune to it. So when you're 472 00:23:59,320 --> 00:24:02,840 Speaker 2: picking a teacher, sure that may be beneficial. But also 473 00:24:02,840 --> 00:24:05,880 Speaker 2: there are other obviously non black people not bocs, who 474 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:10,080 Speaker 2: who would just do well and would handle any situations 475 00:24:10,080 --> 00:24:13,520 Speaker 2: that come up. Another thing is if you aren't interested 476 00:24:13,560 --> 00:24:16,360 Speaker 2: in I definitely encourage everyone under our voices to go 477 00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:19,399 Speaker 2: take a glass and you're having issues, go talk to 478 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:22,600 Speaker 2: your teacher immediately. The main thing is just get out 479 00:24:22,600 --> 00:24:24,919 Speaker 2: there and try it, but do speak up for yourself. 480 00:24:24,960 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 2: And I know you're like, I can have fun. And 481 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:29,239 Speaker 2: here's the thing, ninety five percent of time you are 482 00:24:29,240 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 2: going to have fun. It's just maybe that five percent 483 00:24:31,760 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 2: where you may run into something. 484 00:24:33,119 --> 00:24:35,800 Speaker 1: So you know, we talked on a little bit, I think, 485 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:39,239 Speaker 1: but without addressing it directly. Improv is something that is 486 00:24:39,240 --> 00:24:43,720 Speaker 1: frequently suggested by therapists for people who struggle with things 487 00:24:43,760 --> 00:24:47,440 Speaker 1: like social anxiety or are some of this perfectionism stuff 488 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:49,080 Speaker 1: that we talked about a little bit, right, Like, improv 489 00:24:49,160 --> 00:24:50,760 Speaker 1: feels like a great way to kind of break down 490 00:24:50,760 --> 00:24:51,200 Speaker 1: some of that. 491 00:24:51,480 --> 00:24:53,360 Speaker 2: Can you talk a little bit about. 492 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:55,840 Speaker 1: Some of the skills that you might learn in improv 493 00:24:55,920 --> 00:24:58,879 Speaker 1: that are transferable to supporting people's mental health. 494 00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:02,280 Speaker 2: So what you're going to be gaining is the ability 495 00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:07,280 Speaker 2: to talk and engage with just about anybody, right Because 496 00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:11,040 Speaker 2: in those initial yes and part right, the idea that 497 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:16,240 Speaker 2: when someone is talking to you one, that you're listening 498 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:18,600 Speaker 2: and also listening is like, my second thing is listen 499 00:25:18,680 --> 00:25:22,240 Speaker 2: like a thief, right, Because if you're listening one, you're 500 00:25:22,280 --> 00:25:24,479 Speaker 2: getting out of your head and you're focusing more on 501 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:27,040 Speaker 2: the other person, right, So that you understand what they're 502 00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:29,080 Speaker 2: trying to communicate to you, and then you can respond. 503 00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:32,320 Speaker 2: So the thing is like you are building up your 504 00:25:32,359 --> 00:25:36,040 Speaker 2: listening abilities, You're building up the ability to talk on 505 00:25:36,119 --> 00:25:40,680 Speaker 2: the spot and your presentation right in terms of yourself 506 00:25:40,840 --> 00:25:43,040 Speaker 2: and being out there. I know, I've had a couple 507 00:25:43,040 --> 00:25:47,040 Speaker 2: of students who were presenters before taking the improv class, 508 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:51,080 Speaker 2: and then after an improv class, they have people come 509 00:25:51,119 --> 00:25:52,280 Speaker 2: up to me and say, oh my god, what have 510 00:25:52,320 --> 00:25:54,919 Speaker 2: you been doing? And it was the amprovp right, is 511 00:25:54,960 --> 00:25:57,800 Speaker 2: a space where you get to try out different things 512 00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:00,800 Speaker 2: in a safe environment. I think, or anyone who does 513 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:04,360 Speaker 2: have that anxiety or neure diversity, and matter of fact, 514 00:26:04,400 --> 00:26:07,080 Speaker 2: there is an improv team of folks who are neurodiverse 515 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:09,840 Speaker 2: and they're very good and if I play on other 516 00:26:09,880 --> 00:26:13,320 Speaker 2: teams with them as well, and it just allows you 517 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 2: to exercise that in a place that is they're no 518 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:19,920 Speaker 2: high stakes, right, Like if you bomb out, if you 519 00:26:19,960 --> 00:26:22,520 Speaker 2: don't get a laugh, right, your life will go on. 520 00:26:22,920 --> 00:26:24,639 Speaker 2: And I think that's the point, right, Like you're learning, 521 00:26:24,680 --> 00:26:26,400 Speaker 2: Like if you mess up, if you think you're doing 522 00:26:26,400 --> 00:26:30,119 Speaker 2: the wrong thing, like life goes on. You have another scene, right, 523 00:26:30,160 --> 00:26:31,719 Speaker 2: you have another opportunity to do it. 524 00:26:31,960 --> 00:26:33,800 Speaker 1: So what kinds of skills do you feel like have 525 00:26:33,880 --> 00:26:37,160 Speaker 1: bled into your everyday life from your experience as any 526 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:38,480 Speaker 1: improvo it is Yeah. 527 00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:42,000 Speaker 2: I think for me, one, I believe I'm a shy person, 528 00:26:42,040 --> 00:26:45,560 Speaker 2: but I am an extrovert and so being younger was 529 00:26:45,840 --> 00:26:48,440 Speaker 2: very shy. But I get energy off of people, right, 530 00:26:48,480 --> 00:26:52,240 Speaker 2: and I know feel that energy and enjoy being around people. 531 00:26:52,800 --> 00:26:55,720 Speaker 2: I think what I got is the ability to talk 532 00:26:55,720 --> 00:26:59,000 Speaker 2: to just about anyone and to have a conversation. And 533 00:26:59,040 --> 00:27:01,119 Speaker 2: it also to be play and not that you need 534 00:27:01,160 --> 00:27:03,440 Speaker 2: to play with everybody, right, because some people don't play 535 00:27:03,480 --> 00:27:07,680 Speaker 2: with right, but the idea of being open to individuals 536 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:11,160 Speaker 2: and listening and taking in what they're saying and really 537 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:15,480 Speaker 2: paying attention and not judging. I think in improv there's 538 00:27:15,520 --> 00:27:17,960 Speaker 2: a space where you're not being judged on what you're doing. 539 00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:21,439 Speaker 2: You're just existing and being in that space. So for me, 540 00:27:22,160 --> 00:27:23,960 Speaker 2: my philosophy and improv is that I should be able 541 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:26,480 Speaker 2: to improvise with a rock, right, I should be able 542 00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:31,080 Speaker 2: to do a very poignant, funny scene where I'm improvising 543 00:27:31,119 --> 00:27:33,200 Speaker 2: with the rock I'm doing obviously in my mind, I'm 544 00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:35,480 Speaker 2: doing the other side, but I'm communicating to the rock, 545 00:27:35,960 --> 00:27:39,159 Speaker 2: and so I think that's just something that I've gotten 546 00:27:39,240 --> 00:27:43,120 Speaker 2: out of improv and it brings such a joy to me, right, 547 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:45,240 Speaker 2: And there are only a couple of times in improv 548 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:47,399 Speaker 2: where I'm just like, this is not joyful. Do you 549 00:27:47,480 --> 00:27:49,440 Speaker 2: learn from it and you move on. But it's just 550 00:27:49,480 --> 00:27:52,199 Speaker 2: an opportunity to be fun and silly, like when you 551 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:54,520 Speaker 2: were a kid. If you remember when you were a 552 00:27:54,600 --> 00:27:57,159 Speaker 2: child and you're just playing for the sake of playing, 553 00:27:57,480 --> 00:28:00,359 Speaker 2: like there's no agenda. And I think improv allows us 554 00:28:00,359 --> 00:28:04,000 Speaker 2: the entryway into that which it allows me to present better, 555 00:28:04,320 --> 00:28:07,119 Speaker 2: allows me to interact with people, and a lot of 556 00:28:07,160 --> 00:28:10,119 Speaker 2: times in my previous jobs you're interacting with people who 557 00:28:10,119 --> 00:28:12,120 Speaker 2: are upset and the main thing is like people want 558 00:28:12,119 --> 00:28:14,399 Speaker 2: to be listened to and like heard, and so I 559 00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:17,800 Speaker 2: think that also has brought that into my life. 560 00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:21,120 Speaker 1: Mm hmm. So you've had it sounds like a variety 561 00:28:21,160 --> 00:28:24,199 Speaker 1: of different experiences with improv. Can you talk to me 562 00:28:24,280 --> 00:28:26,960 Speaker 1: if you can think of any differences that you think 563 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:30,159 Speaker 1: of when you're like working and playing with you or 564 00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:32,720 Speaker 1: like all black group versus like in other spaces that 565 00:28:32,760 --> 00:28:34,720 Speaker 1: you've been in. Any differences come to my venions. 566 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:38,880 Speaker 2: Yes, there are definitely differences. So like Lena Duna, which 567 00:28:38,920 --> 00:28:41,320 Speaker 2: is an all black improv team, and we are very good. 568 00:28:41,600 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 2: We have a lot of fun with each other, and 569 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:47,840 Speaker 2: so in terms of the humor and like the things 570 00:28:47,840 --> 00:28:51,120 Speaker 2: that come up with Lena Dunham necessarily would not come 571 00:28:51,200 --> 00:28:53,840 Speaker 2: up with my team that the majority of the team 572 00:28:53,880 --> 00:28:57,800 Speaker 2: is white. Right, So like issues dealing with black people 573 00:28:57,960 --> 00:29:02,400 Speaker 2: code switching, I got one who brought up like slavery 574 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:05,120 Speaker 2: and like slave talk. He was like a professor and 575 00:29:05,120 --> 00:29:07,160 Speaker 2: he was like, all right, guys, we're gonna learn about 576 00:29:07,160 --> 00:29:09,959 Speaker 2: certain dialects. Today's die like it's gonna and so obviously 577 00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:12,200 Speaker 2: he's putting us on the spot, and we made it work. 578 00:29:12,720 --> 00:29:16,760 Speaker 2: I also think in improv there are references, right that 579 00:29:17,640 --> 00:29:20,480 Speaker 2: black folks have that maybe non black folks don't have 580 00:29:20,840 --> 00:29:24,680 Speaker 2: in terms of the movie and music that we reform, 581 00:29:25,120 --> 00:29:27,880 Speaker 2: that we can tap into very quickly and be on 582 00:29:27,920 --> 00:29:30,360 Speaker 2: the same page about like what is it that we're doing. 583 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:32,920 Speaker 2: And one is like the Color Purple. I think it 584 00:29:33,040 --> 00:29:36,200 Speaker 2: was an improv show where the color purple came up 585 00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:39,080 Speaker 2: and the white guy, nice white guy, but he did 586 00:29:39,080 --> 00:29:43,120 Speaker 2: not know. He didn't know. I think he's watched it since. 587 00:29:43,680 --> 00:29:46,120 Speaker 2: But he did not know, and so like just to 588 00:29:46,120 --> 00:29:49,240 Speaker 2: get on the page about that, and like I think 589 00:29:49,280 --> 00:29:52,520 Speaker 2: also about like with the police scene and that someone 590 00:29:52,520 --> 00:29:54,880 Speaker 2: calls us out as white, we are playing as black, 591 00:29:55,040 --> 00:29:57,760 Speaker 2: right what you see, And so the idea of playing 592 00:29:57,800 --> 00:30:01,560 Speaker 2: in that space and punch we say, like instead of 593 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:04,320 Speaker 2: punching down on folks in situations, we're trying to put 594 00:30:04,400 --> 00:30:07,760 Speaker 2: jump on the situation. It's fun and you get there quicker. 595 00:30:08,320 --> 00:30:10,479 Speaker 1: Yeah. It reminds me of like some of those memes 596 00:30:10,520 --> 00:30:13,720 Speaker 1: you see around, like that one burgundy bed spread that 597 00:30:13,880 --> 00:30:15,680 Speaker 1: like a lot of black families hand you know what 598 00:30:15,720 --> 00:30:20,680 Speaker 1: I'm talking about, right, Like, yeah, so I'm mentioning like 599 00:30:20,720 --> 00:30:22,600 Speaker 1: those kinds of things coming up in like maybe the 600 00:30:22,640 --> 00:30:25,160 Speaker 1: black students knowing which you're referring to, and then maybe 601 00:30:25,160 --> 00:30:27,720 Speaker 1: people who are not black not having any clue, not 602 00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:28,280 Speaker 1: having any. 603 00:30:28,160 --> 00:30:32,680 Speaker 2: Clue exactly exactly. Yeah, And not to say every scene 604 00:30:32,760 --> 00:30:35,160 Speaker 2: is about race or this and that, because we'll have 605 00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:38,960 Speaker 2: some funny, ridiculous scenes, but we know we can tap 606 00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:41,160 Speaker 2: into that or we know if we bring it up 607 00:30:41,160 --> 00:30:42,720 Speaker 2: it comes up, then we know how to play with 608 00:30:42,800 --> 00:30:44,880 Speaker 2: it mm hmmm without getting nervous. 609 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:48,600 Speaker 1: Yeah. Yeah, So even I wonder if you can walk 610 00:30:48,680 --> 00:30:50,959 Speaker 1: us through one or two exercises that we might be 611 00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:54,160 Speaker 1: able to play with like family and friends kind of 612 00:30:54,200 --> 00:30:56,000 Speaker 1: doing some of this if we're not ready to take 613 00:30:56,000 --> 00:30:58,360 Speaker 1: a class or like can't find a class in our area. 614 00:30:58,520 --> 00:31:00,160 Speaker 2: Yes, yes, thank you for me to the other up 615 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:02,240 Speaker 2: because these are fun. And I know I have a 616 00:31:02,240 --> 00:31:04,720 Speaker 2: family re union that's been going on for seventy four years, 617 00:31:04,760 --> 00:31:06,600 Speaker 2: and there was a period of time where I was 618 00:31:06,640 --> 00:31:10,200 Speaker 2: doing like improv u short form games with them. But 619 00:31:10,560 --> 00:31:12,360 Speaker 2: we doctor Joy, we are going to play a game 620 00:31:12,600 --> 00:31:15,360 Speaker 2: right now, so like before going to the show, we'll 621 00:31:15,360 --> 00:31:17,760 Speaker 2: do this just to get like the brain working and 622 00:31:17,800 --> 00:31:21,080 Speaker 2: the body moving. So the first one is called these 623 00:31:21,120 --> 00:31:23,840 Speaker 2: five things, So Doctor Joy, I'm gonna go first, but 624 00:31:23,880 --> 00:31:26,480 Speaker 2: you're gonna give me something. So like an example of 625 00:31:26,520 --> 00:31:30,600 Speaker 2: this is like, all right, give me five new ice 626 00:31:30,640 --> 00:31:32,880 Speaker 2: cream flavors, right, and then if you were saying that 627 00:31:32,880 --> 00:31:34,520 Speaker 2: to me, then I have to come up with five 628 00:31:34,560 --> 00:31:38,520 Speaker 2: different ice cream flavors, right. Or give me five taglines 629 00:31:38,560 --> 00:31:41,920 Speaker 2: if you are a superhero, right, or give me five 630 00:31:42,080 --> 00:31:46,560 Speaker 2: items of clothing that you would wear to the ice 631 00:31:46,560 --> 00:31:49,280 Speaker 2: skating rink. It could be whatever it is, and then 632 00:31:49,280 --> 00:31:51,640 Speaker 2: the person has to say it so once I say one. 633 00:31:51,720 --> 00:31:54,200 Speaker 2: So like if we did the if you told me like, hey, 634 00:31:54,600 --> 00:31:56,959 Speaker 2: what are five new ice cream flavors, what would they be? 635 00:31:57,040 --> 00:32:01,120 Speaker 2: I'm like, okay, there would be Enchilada ice cream, and 636 00:32:01,160 --> 00:32:04,400 Speaker 2: then everyone will go one. Right. Then there there would 637 00:32:04,440 --> 00:32:08,840 Speaker 2: be plastic berry ice cream. Two. Right. These could be 638 00:32:08,840 --> 00:32:11,320 Speaker 2: as ridiculous or as real as you want. And so 639 00:32:11,360 --> 00:32:15,320 Speaker 2: the idea is just like getting that muscle moving. And 640 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:17,440 Speaker 2: so every time the person says something, you know, one 641 00:32:17,800 --> 00:32:20,680 Speaker 2: and then two, three, four, five, and then the next 642 00:32:20,680 --> 00:32:21,640 Speaker 2: person would go on. 643 00:32:21,920 --> 00:32:24,080 Speaker 1: And so the next person would then name their five. 644 00:32:23,840 --> 00:32:29,440 Speaker 2: Ice no that it would be a new thing because 645 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:31,600 Speaker 2: those people have been may have been pre planning. So 646 00:32:31,800 --> 00:32:40,320 Speaker 2: because I'm like, okay, let me say gotcha, yes, gotcha? No, no, no, no, Now, 647 00:32:40,400 --> 00:32:41,920 Speaker 2: doctor Joy, you want you want me to give you one? 648 00:32:42,920 --> 00:32:44,680 Speaker 1: You ready, So You're going to give you a topic, 649 00:32:44,680 --> 00:32:48,040 Speaker 1: and I'm gonna give you the my five five? Yes, okay, 650 00:32:48,200 --> 00:32:48,520 Speaker 1: got it? 651 00:32:48,600 --> 00:32:51,280 Speaker 2: All right? Gotcha? All right? So doctor Joy, let's say, 652 00:32:51,440 --> 00:32:56,760 Speaker 2: can you give me five things you would do on 653 00:32:56,800 --> 00:32:58,640 Speaker 2: a Sunday morning with a unicorn? 654 00:32:59,240 --> 00:33:02,640 Speaker 1: Okay, five on a Sunday morning with my unicorn? YEP, 655 00:33:03,200 --> 00:33:06,600 Speaker 1: I would take it for a walk. One I would 656 00:33:06,600 --> 00:33:11,040 Speaker 1: brush its hair. Two I would give it breakfast. Three 657 00:33:11,680 --> 00:33:16,880 Speaker 1: I would ride it around the neighborhood. Four let's see, 658 00:33:17,560 --> 00:33:18,600 Speaker 1: I would bring its hair. 659 00:33:19,360 --> 00:33:22,360 Speaker 2: Five. These are five things, right, and then then you 660 00:33:22,400 --> 00:33:25,240 Speaker 2: say that at the end, these are five things you 661 00:33:25,320 --> 00:33:31,760 Speaker 2: see right exactly, And that's yes, and that's it, and 662 00:33:31,760 --> 00:33:34,640 Speaker 2: that's something fun you could do, you know, with anybody 663 00:33:34,720 --> 00:33:38,640 Speaker 2: or even by yourself. Will be my five taglines Boom boom, 664 00:33:38,640 --> 00:33:42,520 Speaker 2: boom and going from there. Yes, I love it. 665 00:33:42,640 --> 00:33:44,600 Speaker 1: I can see you playing that exercise. 666 00:33:46,840 --> 00:33:48,440 Speaker 2: I do have. I have a second one, and this 667 00:33:48,480 --> 00:33:51,680 Speaker 2: one is called next on Springer. I don't know people 668 00:33:51,720 --> 00:33:55,120 Speaker 2: remember the Jerry Springer Show right. As matter of fact, 669 00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:57,120 Speaker 2: I've been to a pay per view version of Jerry 670 00:33:57,160 --> 00:34:02,320 Speaker 2: Springer Show. It was quite entertaining, no matter meay, Jerry 671 00:34:02,320 --> 00:34:04,480 Speaker 2: Springer went to my law school. He graduated from my 672 00:34:04,520 --> 00:34:11,439 Speaker 2: law school at Northwestern Yah. So this one it's called 673 00:34:11,480 --> 00:34:14,560 Speaker 2: next on Springer. So the way the exercise goes is 674 00:34:14,560 --> 00:34:16,759 Speaker 2: that you're going to give a short and I'm emphasizing 675 00:34:16,840 --> 00:34:22,480 Speaker 2: short word like cat or ball or something. And so 676 00:34:23,040 --> 00:34:24,920 Speaker 2: if you were to give me a word like ball, 677 00:34:25,560 --> 00:34:28,400 Speaker 2: and then the person who who's going would then have 678 00:34:28,520 --> 00:34:32,080 Speaker 2: to take B A L L and make a title 679 00:34:32,200 --> 00:34:36,399 Speaker 2: show for Jerry Springer using the first initial of every 680 00:34:36,400 --> 00:34:40,160 Speaker 2: word has to start with B A L L. Right, 681 00:34:40,280 --> 00:34:43,359 Speaker 2: so if ball was thrown out there, and then I'll 682 00:34:43,400 --> 00:34:49,399 Speaker 2: be like ballerinas and lyne lizards next on Springer. Right, 683 00:34:49,480 --> 00:34:52,600 Speaker 2: So the the idea is taking each letter and that's 684 00:34:52,640 --> 00:34:57,239 Speaker 2: the beginning of the word. Right, Okay, so like, you know, 685 00:34:57,320 --> 00:35:01,200 Speaker 2: you take another one like cat see a T you know, 686 00:35:01,640 --> 00:35:05,960 Speaker 2: like cataracts. Oh my god, I was gonna say cataracts 687 00:35:05,960 --> 00:35:12,359 Speaker 2: and titties next on Springer. Right, that's where my mind went. 688 00:35:12,520 --> 00:35:15,520 Speaker 2: That doesn't mean everyone's mind is gonna go there. Yes, 689 00:35:15,800 --> 00:35:20,200 Speaker 2: all right, that joy you're ready? Okay, you ready? Okay, 690 00:35:20,840 --> 00:35:22,560 Speaker 2: bat B A T. 691 00:35:23,200 --> 00:35:26,879 Speaker 1: Y Oh next on spring. 692 00:35:29,520 --> 00:35:34,319 Speaker 2: Oh, just start with the B and ali was my 693 00:35:34,360 --> 00:35:35,400 Speaker 2: first thought. Oh there you go. 694 00:35:35,840 --> 00:35:40,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, black adult tight rope walkers. 695 00:35:41,120 --> 00:35:49,759 Speaker 2: Next on Springer. That's it. That's it, right, that's A. 696 00:35:50,040 --> 00:35:52,800 Speaker 2: That's a fun one. There's a fun one. And and 697 00:35:52,880 --> 00:35:55,879 Speaker 2: let the mind wander, right, let it let it go. Yes, 698 00:35:56,280 --> 00:35:58,719 Speaker 2: so that's A. That's a fun one to do as well. 699 00:35:58,880 --> 00:36:02,160 Speaker 2: And the doctor I have one last one, okay, particularly 700 00:36:02,160 --> 00:36:04,600 Speaker 2: if like for those other ones, Like the other first two, 701 00:36:04,680 --> 00:36:06,680 Speaker 2: you can do them by yourself, but like being with 702 00:36:06,719 --> 00:36:08,799 Speaker 2: other people makes it them more enjoyable because they can 703 00:36:08,800 --> 00:36:10,759 Speaker 2: also hear the ridiculous stuff that's coming out of your mouth. 704 00:36:11,040 --> 00:36:13,279 Speaker 2: The last one you can definitely do by yourself is 705 00:36:13,320 --> 00:36:17,120 Speaker 2: to pick an object in the room or if you're outside, 706 00:36:17,200 --> 00:36:22,160 Speaker 2: pick something and then do a character monologue of that. Right, 707 00:36:22,280 --> 00:36:25,280 Speaker 2: and I could do a rant or rave about it. 708 00:36:25,320 --> 00:36:27,759 Speaker 2: So like if I'm looking around my room, oh, I 709 00:36:27,800 --> 00:36:30,560 Speaker 2: see lotion, right, And the character could be as big 710 00:36:30,640 --> 00:36:33,440 Speaker 2: or small, but the main is like having fun about it, like, 711 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:36,200 Speaker 2: oh my god, I love lotion. It just like it's 712 00:36:36,239 --> 00:36:38,640 Speaker 2: the thing that keeps my life sustained. I mean, if 713 00:36:38,640 --> 00:36:41,879 Speaker 2: I could even eat lotion, I would because I wanted 714 00:36:41,880 --> 00:36:44,359 Speaker 2: to moisturize my inside. Can you believe there are people 715 00:36:44,360 --> 00:36:47,360 Speaker 2: out there who don't carry lotion around and they're just 716 00:36:47,520 --> 00:36:51,360 Speaker 2: ashy looking like ghosts walking around. No, I'm prestine. My 717 00:36:51,840 --> 00:36:54,799 Speaker 2: skin is supple, and I'm supple to the world, and 718 00:36:54,840 --> 00:36:57,000 Speaker 2: that's why I have lotion. Right, So it could be 719 00:36:57,040 --> 00:37:02,200 Speaker 2: as silly or realistic as possible, but just taking anything 720 00:37:02,760 --> 00:37:06,640 Speaker 2: and just doing a character talking about that object or 721 00:37:06,719 --> 00:37:10,440 Speaker 2: letting that object inspire you about something, right, so then 722 00:37:10,560 --> 00:37:13,080 Speaker 2: have to be exactly about the lotion. You can do 723 00:37:13,120 --> 00:37:14,719 Speaker 2: something what we call a to B A two C, 724 00:37:15,360 --> 00:37:18,200 Speaker 2: which is like, when I think of lotion, it makes 725 00:37:18,239 --> 00:37:20,400 Speaker 2: me think of moisture, and when I think of morture 726 00:37:20,440 --> 00:37:23,360 Speaker 2: makes me think of rain. Oh, Purple Rain is my album. 727 00:37:23,800 --> 00:37:26,920 Speaker 2: I love Purple Rain. Right, So, like it's just allowing 728 00:37:26,960 --> 00:37:30,080 Speaker 2: the mind to move and jump and then having that 729 00:37:30,160 --> 00:37:34,480 Speaker 2: monologue to yourself. Yeah, thank you so much for these things. 730 00:37:34,520 --> 00:37:36,000 Speaker 1: But I think these will be fun for people to 731 00:37:36,000 --> 00:37:40,960 Speaker 1: play with everything. Yeah, so you mentioned one page that 732 00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:43,680 Speaker 1: you thought we should look into, the Black Improv Alliance. 733 00:37:44,040 --> 00:37:48,759 Speaker 1: Are there other TV shows, films, Instagram or social media 734 00:37:48,840 --> 00:37:51,520 Speaker 1: pages that would be helpful for people if they're interested 735 00:37:51,600 --> 00:37:53,439 Speaker 1: in learning more about job. 736 00:37:53,880 --> 00:37:57,160 Speaker 2: Yes. So in terms of like podcasts, you know, there 737 00:37:57,160 --> 00:37:59,880 Speaker 2: are a bunch of improper podcasts that are out there, 738 00:38:00,120 --> 00:38:02,640 Speaker 2: But just in terms of a few that I would 739 00:38:02,719 --> 00:38:07,000 Speaker 2: say are beneficial, there's one called UCB Long Form Conversations. 740 00:38:07,320 --> 00:38:08,880 Speaker 2: I don't think they make any more episodes, but the 741 00:38:08,920 --> 00:38:12,080 Speaker 2: episodes are still up and the idea is that they 742 00:38:12,719 --> 00:38:16,240 Speaker 2: have an interviewer in an interviewe about some improv topic 743 00:38:16,560 --> 00:38:20,200 Speaker 2: and then the interviewe would become the interviewer the next episode, 744 00:38:20,239 --> 00:38:23,359 Speaker 2: and then they would you know, I guess popcorn that way. 745 00:38:23,719 --> 00:38:27,000 Speaker 2: Another one is improv beat by beat, and then this 746 00:38:27,080 --> 00:38:31,440 Speaker 2: one the person interviewed twenty improvisers mainly I think in 747 00:38:31,480 --> 00:38:34,320 Speaker 2: the New York area, and then what they did is 748 00:38:34,360 --> 00:38:39,320 Speaker 2: they clipped together these twenty people talking about like different topics. 749 00:38:39,640 --> 00:38:42,160 Speaker 2: So if the topic was about object work, which is 750 00:38:42,160 --> 00:38:44,520 Speaker 2: like an improv, we don't use props, so you have to, 751 00:38:44,560 --> 00:38:46,319 Speaker 2: like if you're cutting vegetables, you just need to show 752 00:38:46,320 --> 00:38:49,080 Speaker 2: the audience that you're doing your object work. You're cutting vegetables, right, 753 00:38:49,520 --> 00:38:52,840 Speaker 2: So they would take these tip twenty different perspectives about 754 00:38:52,840 --> 00:38:55,160 Speaker 2: object work and then spice them together, so now you're 755 00:38:55,160 --> 00:38:58,640 Speaker 2: getting a different views on different topics in improv. And 756 00:38:58,640 --> 00:39:02,040 Speaker 2: then there's Will Hines. He has a substack and it's 757 00:39:02,080 --> 00:39:04,640 Speaker 2: called Improv Nonsense, So like every week he'll write something 758 00:39:05,080 --> 00:39:08,920 Speaker 2: about improv and just thoughts he has on it. And 759 00:39:08,960 --> 00:39:11,279 Speaker 2: he's been improvising for many, many decades and he's very 760 00:39:11,320 --> 00:39:14,279 Speaker 2: good at what he does. So those I think those 761 00:39:14,320 --> 00:39:17,680 Speaker 2: are some entrees into it. You could obviously like go 762 00:39:17,719 --> 00:39:19,600 Speaker 2: see improv in person. I think it's better to see 763 00:39:19,600 --> 00:39:22,200 Speaker 2: it in person, but you can definitely see it online 764 00:39:22,200 --> 00:39:25,080 Speaker 2: if you can't get out or there's no theaters doing improv, 765 00:39:25,520 --> 00:39:29,080 Speaker 2: but there's a bunch of improv like on YouTube. We'll 766 00:39:29,080 --> 00:39:31,200 Speaker 2: do my shameless plugs at the end. Right in terms 767 00:39:31,239 --> 00:39:34,640 Speaker 2: of like finding my pages and watching shows, and usually 768 00:39:34,640 --> 00:39:37,640 Speaker 2: a lot of theaters have a YouTube channel watching improv. 769 00:39:37,680 --> 00:39:39,759 Speaker 2: Theater has a YouTube channel where there's a bunch of 770 00:39:39,760 --> 00:39:41,080 Speaker 2: shows that are there. 771 00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:45,400 Speaker 1: Got it? Yeah, So are there any black women that 772 00:39:45,440 --> 00:39:47,560 Speaker 1: you want to put on the radar for us besides 773 00:39:47,600 --> 00:39:49,479 Speaker 1: you and the work that you and your group are doing, 774 00:39:49,520 --> 00:39:52,360 Speaker 1: any other black women improv comedians that we want to 775 00:39:52,360 --> 00:39:53,160 Speaker 1: be paying attention to. 776 00:39:54,120 --> 00:39:57,920 Speaker 2: Yes for sure, Yes, yes, yes. Crystal ramser Ali. You 777 00:39:57,920 --> 00:40:00,000 Speaker 2: can find her if you go to our Lenda Done Improv, 778 00:40:00,480 --> 00:40:03,040 Speaker 2: She'll be listed there as well. Definitely follow her because 779 00:40:03,040 --> 00:40:05,480 Speaker 2: she's doing other projects. She's also on a team of 780 00:40:05,520 --> 00:40:09,400 Speaker 2: all women called Hellcat. She's definitely a big one that 781 00:40:09,480 --> 00:40:12,120 Speaker 2: you should be following. There are the women from a 782 00:40:12,120 --> 00:40:15,600 Speaker 2: Black Lady's Sketch Show. So like all those individuals, I've 783 00:40:15,640 --> 00:40:18,800 Speaker 2: done improv and like I think still do improv to 784 00:40:18,840 --> 00:40:22,319 Speaker 2: a certain extent, and even Robin Thidi was a improvisor. 785 00:40:22,360 --> 00:40:25,360 Speaker 2: I think she even started Second City in Chicago before 786 00:40:25,440 --> 00:40:29,640 Speaker 2: moving to LA. And then there is an all black 787 00:40:29,640 --> 00:40:32,920 Speaker 2: team called Astronomy Club. They had a show on Netflix. 788 00:40:32,960 --> 00:40:36,680 Speaker 2: I think it's still on Netflix, and the improvisers on 789 00:40:37,280 --> 00:40:41,040 Speaker 2: that team were very good in terms of the black women. 790 00:40:41,080 --> 00:40:43,080 Speaker 2: And I'm blanking her names. I see, like her her face, 791 00:40:43,120 --> 00:40:46,480 Speaker 2: I think it's Keisha. It's Keisha Zoler, so definitely checking 792 00:40:46,520 --> 00:40:49,440 Speaker 2: her out. And then the cole Buyer I know she 793 00:40:49,600 --> 00:40:52,719 Speaker 2: if people know her from like the Cake show where 794 00:40:52,760 --> 00:40:56,880 Speaker 2: they bake cakes, and then she also does stand up 795 00:40:56,920 --> 00:40:59,480 Speaker 2: and has her own specials. I think she's gonna wipeout. 796 00:40:59,600 --> 00:41:02,120 Speaker 2: But she also has a big improv background and I 797 00:41:02,120 --> 00:41:05,960 Speaker 2: love seeing her perform because it is very good in 798 00:41:06,040 --> 00:41:08,760 Speaker 2: terms of the improv and it's very silly. I like silly, 799 00:41:09,560 --> 00:41:13,800 Speaker 2: ridiculous stuff, and she's doing some high level silly stuff there. 800 00:41:14,239 --> 00:41:16,040 Speaker 2: And I'm obviously blanking on some other ones, but those 801 00:41:16,080 --> 00:41:18,440 Speaker 2: are the ones that pop into my mind in terms 802 00:41:18,440 --> 00:41:20,719 Speaker 2: of like watching them, and I know I'm going to 803 00:41:20,800 --> 00:41:24,279 Speaker 2: see a good show when I see them. Got it? 804 00:41:24,400 --> 00:41:25,719 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for sharing that. 805 00:41:25,920 --> 00:41:26,879 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, So. 806 00:41:26,840 --> 00:41:29,200 Speaker 1: Where can we stay connected with you? Eva? What is 807 00:41:29,239 --> 00:41:32,120 Speaker 1: your website and any social media channels that you want 808 00:41:32,120 --> 00:41:32,600 Speaker 1: to share. 809 00:41:32,920 --> 00:41:36,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, so definitely I'm on ig at Eva r Lewis, 810 00:41:36,560 --> 00:41:39,560 Speaker 2: I you know, post shows and like clips when I 811 00:41:39,560 --> 00:41:43,720 Speaker 2: can or promoting, so definitely follow me on there. Lena Dunham, 812 00:41:44,040 --> 00:41:46,640 Speaker 2: definitely come see us these shows. We have shows in December, 813 00:41:46,680 --> 00:41:48,880 Speaker 2: but we'll have shows in the New Year as well, 814 00:41:49,280 --> 00:41:52,240 Speaker 2: and that's just Lena Dunham Improv. And then White Privileged, 815 00:41:52,239 --> 00:41:54,440 Speaker 2: Black Power Greg is out in California, So a lot 816 00:41:54,440 --> 00:41:56,360 Speaker 2: of stuff we're doing as virtual, but we do have 817 00:41:56,400 --> 00:41:59,520 Speaker 2: some good bits that are are fun and the humorous, 818 00:41:59,560 --> 00:42:02,719 Speaker 2: so definitely check out White Privilege Black Power on there. 819 00:42:02,760 --> 00:42:05,120 Speaker 2: And then I'm on a team called Broken Bones where 820 00:42:05,120 --> 00:42:08,200 Speaker 2: we take a gnarly injury story and try to turn 821 00:42:08,200 --> 00:42:11,120 Speaker 2: it into comedy and so definitely check out Broken Bones 822 00:42:11,200 --> 00:42:15,279 Speaker 2: DC on ig and so definitely check me out, but 823 00:42:15,320 --> 00:42:18,400 Speaker 2: also check out improv. Everyone does improv, so you might 824 00:42:18,440 --> 00:42:20,040 Speaker 2: as well go take a class so you'll learn more 825 00:42:20,080 --> 00:42:21,400 Speaker 2: about it. I love that. 826 00:42:23,239 --> 00:42:25,080 Speaker 1: But thank you so much for spending some time with 827 00:42:25,160 --> 00:42:26,879 Speaker 1: us today, Eve, I really appreciate it. 828 00:42:27,160 --> 00:42:29,640 Speaker 2: Axe Well, thank you, doctor Joy, thank you. 829 00:42:33,120 --> 00:42:35,440 Speaker 1: I'm so glad Eva was able to share her expertise 830 00:42:35,480 --> 00:42:38,520 Speaker 1: with us today. To learn more about her and her work, 831 00:42:38,880 --> 00:42:41,479 Speaker 1: visit the show notes at Therapy for Blackgirls dot Com 832 00:42:41,520 --> 00:42:45,000 Speaker 1: slash Session three forty three, and don't forget to text 833 00:42:45,000 --> 00:42:47,319 Speaker 1: two of your girls right now and tell them to 834 00:42:47,400 --> 00:42:50,200 Speaker 1: check out the episode. If you're looking for a therapist 835 00:42:50,280 --> 00:42:53,719 Speaker 1: in your area, visit our therapist directory at Therapy for 836 00:42:53,800 --> 00:42:57,200 Speaker 1: Blackgirls dot Com slash directory. And if you're looking for 837 00:42:57,239 --> 00:42:59,920 Speaker 1: a support system to aid you in your New Year journey, 838 00:43:00,560 --> 00:43:03,600 Speaker 1: join us over in the Sister Circle. It's our cozy 839 00:43:03,640 --> 00:43:06,840 Speaker 1: corn of the Internet where we celebrate support and practice 840 00:43:06,920 --> 00:43:11,360 Speaker 1: vulnerability each week this January, we're setting the foundation to 841 00:43:11,400 --> 00:43:15,560 Speaker 1: turn our resolutions into realities. This episode was produced by 842 00:43:15,600 --> 00:43:19,680 Speaker 1: Frieda Lucas, Alise Ellis, and Zaria Taylor. Editing was done 843 00:43:19,719 --> 00:43:23,000 Speaker 1: by Dennison Bradford. Thank y'all so much for joining me 844 00:43:23,080 --> 00:43:26,440 Speaker 1: again this week. I look forward to continuing this conversation 845 00:43:26,520 --> 00:43:27,920 Speaker 1: with you all real soon. 846 00:43:28,600 --> 00:43:29,279 Speaker 2: Take good care,