Ownership

Right now I have two projects percolating that I'm really excited about. The first is my podcast Hindsight Hour, Tim and I have done four recording sessions and have one more planned before we  delve into the editing. The idea is that each episode will have a theme like family/work/relationships, there will be a series of improvised scenes addressing the theme from different angles. The hope is to not only make some discoveries about the expressed theme but also about where people find their inspiration, shed some light on the elusive creative process. I don't know how I'll set it up, format each episode in order to accomplish those goals but its a stimulating challenge.

Had rehearsal tonight for my other project. A play called Contention, I got the idea a couple months back from an improv show. It's a dark comedy about a failing relationship told in non-chronological order. It starts with the break-up, the second scene is the couple's first date, then it jumps back and forth through time ending in the middle.

I submitted the proposal for it to The Annoyance almost on a whim, not really expecting to get a slot. Much to my surprise and gratitude we'll start previews January 2nd. The cast is Cowdery and I with Phil directing. We're four rehearsals in and have the bones of a script. Working on it has been incredibly fulfilling. It's what I've been looking for- a show with a narrative, a show with a cut and dry script, a show that could(potentially) get reviewed, and most importantly a show over which we have creative control.

I fell in love with improv because it was a mode of performance that allowed me more creative ownership than the straight theatre I had been doing. After doing improv for years I found myself wanting more. Improv, although wonderful, is ethereal. Ultimately it has no product, it is all process. Those rare perfect shows only last in memory.

The past couple months I've been looking for more tangible projects, more active ways to express myself creatively, finite processes with concrete goals. The podcast and the play are the result. Working on them is very gratifying and I look forward to putting both projects out into the world.