What classes am I taking, you ask? (post from March that never got finished)

So I've been thinking...."Goodness I must not have explained the classes that I'm taking to very many people." There have been many questions as to what exactly it is that I am doing in California. Well, it's pretty complicated really, yet shouldn't take long to explain. I'm basically filling a void that has been vastly distracting me for years. I truly don't know where the paths may take me, and I will be okay if they don't take me very far. The true destination of a path never stepped on will never be known.

I am taking Improvisation classes at the Groundlings Theatre and School. The Groundlings have a Core Curriculum that is very competitive and requires students to be 110% 100% of the time. Take a look at this link and you can see detailed info.  Go on the left hand side and click on Groundlings School.

http://www.groundlings.com/start.htm

I'm taking Basic right now which is the first of the Core Curriculum. I started with Intro to Improv workshop A and after that I opted to skip Workshop B and move on to Basic. To enroll in Basic required a live group audition that was thankfully low-pressure. It was set up like a small class with the Instructor giving us a few quick lessons and then turning us loose to perform a two person scene. We're given this: "Okay class, let's give them a relationship."  Class: "Brothers" Instructor: "Okay, you're brothers, go."  From there you're expected to produce an entertaining scene that follows a few basic rules. I passed the audition and went right on to Basic my instructor is Jordan Black.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0085359/

He was style is a bit "cut-throat" with no time for mistakes and definitely no excuses. At first it was intimidating, but I'm thinking that it will only be a strengthening process.

Okay, for those friends and family that have been asking when I will be performing:

Again, it's complicated, but again it shouldn't take long.

A person must Pass Basic, Basic II (if instructed) Intermediate, Writing Lab, finally Advanced.

But to ELABORATE on that: Many people take Intermediate more than once. Once they pass intermediate, writing lab is next. There is a YEAR (give or take) wait list for Writing Lab. If you fail writing lab...there is no retaking it, you are dismissed from the program. If you pass Writing Lab, then you are placed on another YEAR (give or take) wait list or Advanced. If you pass Advanced, then you have to be INVITED to join the Sunday Company. If you perform well in the Sunday company you have up to around a year (not quite sure on this one) to perform with them and possibly be invited to the Main Company. Also to note, there are so many people that are trying to go through this program that the passing students seem to be needles in a haystack. So, a simple "Performance" at the Groundlings is NO "Simple" task. We can only hope that someday I could make it that far, but simple math shows us that it would take years to get that far. If I make it to the wait-list, I'll fill my time with taking other classes, such as Voice Over and Acting. Gotta make sure that I'm well rounded, no? :D

Wish me luck!!