Greetings, dear readers. This week’s newsletter is going to be short as well. I’m writing this from the noisy airport of Dublin, waiting for my flight and processing my experience on Improv Fest Ireland. I’ve been many days away from home. I am tired, and I miss my cats. I’m not saying that chaining two festivals back to back is a bad idea, but from now on I am going to take care of myself instead of trying to do everything, everywhere, all at once. By the time you read this, by the way, I’ll be back in London, yet immersed in a two days intensive course with Brian James O’Connell (I’ve talked about him in previous issues) with another workshop, by the great Elana Fishbein, in between. Talk about resting from improv… oh, yes, sorry playbackers, this one is once again about improv.

As usual, I had a good time at Improv Fest Ireland. I carried on with the tradition of performing with Irish and Improv Utopia friends under the direction of the ever-inspiring Ann “Crim” Crimmins. Strange New Scenes was really something. I was also invited to join Dublin’s counterpart of Nick Armstrong ensemble show to cover a spot. I had fun, and loved playing along friends old and new. However, something is starting to feel off with me now that I understand better things about myself.

Catching up and the meaningful conversations are always my favourite part. Something that Jen Hardy said inspired me. “Do the improv that you want to do with the people you want to do it with”. That is something that I’ve been neglecting when it comes to festivals. I don’t know if it’s because of my autism, I’m still trying to figure out how it affects me as an improviser, but finding people to explore together the kind of improv that I’d like to do it’s been a challenge. That’s why I tend to apply to mixer and ensemble teams in festivals instead of believing in myself and put projects forward. I’m not deliberately beating myself publicly on my newsletter, I’m just acknowledging a situation that I’m vowing not to repeat. I want to reach, as an improviser, the same level of confidence that I have as a Playback Theatre practitioner and facilitator.

During the last few days I saw shows that inspired me in that pursuit, like The Clones, Somewhat Theatre, At Home, Sonnet & Faith, Impromptwo… among others. All of them sharing a commonality of focus on relationship and world building. After all, I’ve come to terms that I’m a slow burn improviser, and I’d like to do more improv like that, improv that I care about, that brings me joy and speaks about who I am. Of course I’m still open to goof around with improv every now and then, but, mostly, I want to make it meaningful.

Do you want to play with me?

📆 What is coming up

• 7th of December - Long form is my jam! JAM (London, UK). I’ll be facilitating next month’s Acaprov’s long form jam. It’s only 5 quid and it will be great to see you there. Tickets here.

• 12th of December - Acaprov (London, UK). Join us in Shoreditch for our December special show, where we will improvise a musical to dive into the holiday spirit! Get your tickets.

📚 🎮 🎥 📺 The geeky dessert

I was browsing a bookstore in Dublin and I finally stumbled upon We Love You, Bunny, by Mona Awad. The book is a sequel to Bunny which I enjoyed due its pastel-coloured grittiness. I’d like to tell the plot, but it’s better entering blind. If you are into stories that are dark, bizarre, and somewhat gory… this series of books is right up your alley.

I’m looking forward to reading it, although knowing me, it’ll take time. Have you read it?