XIII - Getting high
Improv adventures in Colorado way over the sea level, a Playback Theatre tip, upcoming events, and plane-movie musings!
Hello dear readers, including a few new subscribers. 🙂
Despite the high probability you get this in your inbox when I just landed in London, I'm writing this week’s newsletter from a hotel room in Denver, knackered but happy, after spending the weekend celebrating improv at Improv Utopia Evolve more than 2,000 kilometers above sea level.
Getting into the United States was surprisingly very smooth. The border control agent I ran into was so kind, she completely shattered any anxiety I had. She didn’t bombed me with questions and even smiled when I told her I was here for an improv retreat.
Colorado is stunning! Once again, despite its societal flaws, the United States has amazed me with its beautiful nature. Of course, I also love its people; I have great friends here, and it saddens me to see them seemingly heading towards an undeserved dystopia. I really hope things change.
🧠 The Improv reflection
Being surrounded by American improvisers, and immersed on their play style, I got the feeling I had to push myself. I’m a slow burn improviser, so I’m glad I had the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone right into the fast-paced comedy-bound approach. I tried to keep up with truly amazing improvisers without neglecting who I am as such. I think I survived.
Working with Patrick Rowland and Jamie Moyer was incredibly insightful. I’m taking things away that I can’t wait to incorporate into both my improv practice and facilitation. Also, as this camp has a professional focus, I also gained a tangential understanding of the many aspects involved in running an improv theater.
Attending Improv Utopia always reminds me the potential of improv when it comes from a place of kindness, respect and collaboration. That is how improv should always be.
🪑 The Playback Theatre (PT) tip
Keeping on topic, I’m going to appeal to the improvisation aspect of Playback Theatre. I wrote about the symbiotic relationship between PT and improv, as part of my Playback Theatre leadership training and you can read it here. Check it out if you want a detailed view on the topic.
To truly get better at Playback Theatre, you absolutely need to sharpen your improv skills. Practicing improv will significantly improve your awareness of what's unfolding on stage, allowing for more appropriate and immediate responses. It also hones your skills as a scene partner, helping you to let go your own ideas and adapt fluidly to whatever offer is on the stage for the sake of the reenactment.
On that note, I’m developing an “improv for PT practitioners” workshop, stay tuned! 😃
📆 What is coming up
ACAPROV: This friday, join us for July’s improvised a cappella musical. You can get your ticket now.
International Playback Theatre Camp: Attend a lovely retreat in Georgia, this August, where I will one of the guest teachers. You still can register.
2nd Ukranian Playback Theatre Festival: This festival looks great and I will also be teaching there. It will take place in Poznan, Poland. All the information is here.
📚 🎮 🎥 📺 The geeky dessert
Like many people on long-haul flights, I enjoy watching movies. However, given that an airplane is a questionable setting for enjoying a film, I have specific movies I only watch on planes: those that appeal to my inner geek but are critically bashed. Movies that par with the quality of airplane food.
This category includes animated movies or superhero films, such as those from the now extinct DCU or the Spider-Man villain movies whose rights are owned by Sony.
Every now and then I pick a decent movie, though. That was not the case on my way to Denver. I watched Sonic The Hedgehog 3 🦔, The Meg 🦈, and Meg 2: The Trench 🦑. Yes, they are bad, but when in a plane, I just want to turn my brain off and hope for the flight to end as soon as possible.
Do you feel the same? What kind of movies do you like to enjoy while crossing the world and eating food of debatable quality?
✨ That’s all folks ✨
Thanks for reading Playing Back an Improvised Life, a newsletter by Ferran Luengo.
If you like it, spread the voice and share with someone who you think might enjoy it.
If you want to keep in touch, feel free to follow me on instagram (@luenkun).
Want to work with me or start a conversation? email me 😀
Want to support me? You can do it through my Ko-fi page
Ferran Luengo