We build, we do object work, we get outta comfort zones, we follow our fear. Yet, as an improvisor that appreciates quiet reflection and an occasional hiatus while embracing the craft, I have found that doing scenes alone and upping my object-work game while stuck solo in my house is starting to make it apparent that lack of stage time is inspiring weird new habits: conversations with inanimate objects (and the birds, squirrels, bunnies, and deer outside my windows) got old within a day. As I look longingly at photos of my previous house teams and our performances, I miss the laughter lighting up our faces, our confidence, our interactivity, our group mind, and some of our favorite warm-ups. Being isolated and Zooming can never be a substitute for the energy and excitement of playing Hot Spot or Beastie Boyz, Electric Company, or 5 Things, and ramping each other up to see who on the team will get ‘the get’ for the night’s show. After reading a BBC article about Shakespeare writing King Lear while hunkered down during the Plague, I have begun to feel like there is no telling where quarantine could channel your energies. But also: hey, let’s not pressure ourselves to produce another King Lear during lockdown. I overbought bananas (they aren’t social distancing) to bring a little joy and creativity to my kitchen space. I soon started to see a couple parallels between us improvisors and the much-loved banana bunch. (Stay with me.)
Look, I'm reaching to make connections -- just like we do in improv. We “A” to the “C” so we can stay ahead of the audience, going from beat to beat while creating magic on stage. While nothing takes away my longing to be with fellow comedians, I’m encouraged by some of my endless comedic heroes and many improv method books, as well as the plethora of improv blogs which offer me interesting insights into the craft while we are all on an unanticipated hiatus from the stage, our teams, our classes, our coaches, and our usual theatre communities. I'm gonna circle back to bananas now, because while the above is all real and true, I have recently been embracing a lot of butter and inactivity, and have found renewed luster and enthusiasm for one of my favorite desserts with far less unhealthy repercussions than ingredients that I can’t pronounce and would likely last beyond an apocalypse. I figure the least I can do is share a fun recipe I’ve discovered recently, so I give you... One-Ingredient Ice Cream ...made from, you guessed it: BANANAS! (I find the use of all-caps and bold italic helps from time to time to express my enthusiasm in this virtual realm when Zoom audio/video settings cannot handle my loudness and expression.)
At the point that the frozen banana pieces become the texture of fluffy soft serve, you have a decision to make: leave this concoction at fundamentally one ingredient, or add some fun, fantastic mix-ins: cookie butter, aka “Speculoos,” peanut butter, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, Oreo pieces, or any manner of wild thing you find in the back of your pantry, you artistic mad scientist! (Be sure to practice a hearty mad scientist laugh as you blend: it really paints the scene.)
Seriously, I can’t wait to see you all back on your mainstage when this has concluded. In the meantime, I wish you awesome object-work practice at home, delicious and philosophical banana ice cream creations, and I commend any and all efforts toward nurturing your inner improvisor and artist: I’ve got your back. - Casey Klos, Year of Creativity Program Manager. Find her work on Instagram.
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