A Rambling Plea

DC Comedy and Artist Community:

So, Jason Saenz left town for L.A. and then while on the way to L.A. decided to go to New York where he says he fell in love with Chinatown. Chinatown has a fledgling comedy community and Jason is sort of an overgrown gold fish in a small meditation pond; people are already referring to him by his own material, "Cum Dumpster"—of course it’s in Mandarin. Even in China they know you can call a hungry comic anything and they will bask in the attention like the lotus underneath sun.

Then there is Nick Turner, a comedic energy giant that has a departure date set for sometime...soon. From what I heard, his bags are packed and his conscience is wracked with guilt, which means he'll be looking to split very soon.

With Jason and Nick’s departure, so goes with them their enthusiasm for the DC comedy community and this website; which has left this blog barely pulsating.

I hope I'm not the only one with defibrillators because I really don't know how to use them, except for what I have seen on TV, especially in that movie, "The Abyss", with Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio--specifically when Harris slaps her around and calls her a "bitch" a couple of times before she is revived. I heard Harris allegedly said that it was the only time he ever felt like he wasn’t acting.

This is the exact treatment DCComedy4Now needs at this very moment. We need Ed Harris kneeling over top of our bare breasted porcelain like creamy soft angelic milky colored skin, barking and slapping the Bah Jesus out of us, and we need to continue to rewind back to the beginning of that part until we come back to life or until someone starts walking down the basement stairs. And we all know what the sound of footsteps atop of the basement stairs feels like…awkward panic, the most uncomfortable feeling on the planet.

So what does it all mean? It means either we zap DCComedy4Now back to life or this website may soon have to come to a close.

(Cue: Battle Hymn of the Republic)

However, I would like to keep it going. I've grown fond of it...I like the wallpaper for some reason.

(Nah fuck the Battle Hymn of the Republic, opt for loop of AC/DC’s Intro for “Those about to Rock”…just turn all this shit off I can’t concentrate.

Anyway, DCComedy4Now has earned a place in my itinerary when I log on; hotmail, Gmail, check my mob, search Wikipedia or YouTube for whatever. Then when I come out of that wormhole, sometimes in a rather damp state, I arrive here or lately...not, which has had an enormous effect. The dormant state of this website has truly been a catalyst for some change in my life.

[Hit the jump!]

I actually logged off the other day, when normally I would peruse dccomedy4now, and accomplished things I hadn’t thought about for months. I got a lot done. Recently I just paid my car insurance, turned off the oven, matched up some socks--the stuff I've done off the computer is only what I’ve read about on many a blog. Ran some errands, the smell of the post-office was like a heavy dose of ammonia nitrate, I think I scared some people in there with my spasmodic reactions while waiting in line. I looked like Bob Goldthwait trying to clear his nasal passages with his eyebrows.

Another revelation was that I realized I'm living with someone, this extremely bad ass chic who I thought I remembered as being heavily tatted up(they’re just birthmarks), and she was really kind enough to let me come out of my own electronical Abyss unaided and didn't hold my 9 month web induced "walk about" against me. Yet I will say the outside world hasn’t been an easily intuitive web program.

The weather is much warmer than I remembered or prefer and I am starting to recall that I'm not particularly fond of people in DC, especially my neighbor who didn't recognize by my beard nor my soiled and mildewed clothing that had by then fused to my skin. The people at the walk-in medical center who peeled off my old clothing were a bit snarky which I think was uncalled for considering the severity of the Wikiwarp I had been trapped inside of and its duration; and especially when a couple of the orderlies and nurses furtively acknowledged having had their own similar experience . Also, the phrase, "Welcome back to the land of the living", I can swear to you, is used by the same people who refer to others as "Boss" or "Chief".

What am I saying...what is my point...I want to go back. I belong on the computer, and in my own warped reality; I belong inside the computer. And I want DCComedy4Now.com to be a part of that experience. In between Jenna, watching old episodes of Different Strokes, and looking at pictures of accidents on the Autobahn; I need this website to be my Mos Eisley Cantina—I need to know where my freaks are.

In order for that to happen, hopefully I can get some help. And if no help is provided then hopefully you can provide some patience. After Nick leaves, I am Solo. If I can move away from Star Wars and transition unracially (neither a word nor necessary) to Dr. King, if I had a dream for this community in DC, it would be that, it would not be looked at as just a comedy scene—but an identifiable artist community. How would you identify it? Maybe with a laser pointer.

There needs to be an artist collective, a supportive community. We are all not just stand-up comics, improvisers, actors, but we are also writers, film makers, producers, managers and audience members. In some way we have all worn different hats at some point in pursuing whatever we have set out for ourselves to accomplish. Some of us do certain things better than others. The more I go along with my own endeavors I realize that being a part of the process is really what I want to continue to be a part of in some shape or form. No one can do anything alone.

When Eddie Murphy was on "Inside the Actor's Studio" with James Lipton, it was refreshing to hear his honesty about how many people it has taken to help him create his body of work. He continually mentioned the lasting relationships he has held onto over the years.

The goals are always lofty when it comes to this subject in DC but it would nice to keep this website afloat with the singleness of purpose of being a useful tool of networking and creativity in an artistically capricious environment.So if you have any ideas or contributions continue to send them our way.

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DC Comedy: 4 Now makes good on it's name

If you hadn't guessed already, the title of the blog is in reference to the fact that if you plan on really making a go of this whole comedy as a career thing, it's tough to stick around the District. Even our own comedy festival would have you believe that there is no local comedy scene. So eventually, your best bet is to fly the coop and try to make it work in a larger, comedy prepared city. Well our very own Jason Saenz leaves us today to give it the old college try and in honor of that, Mikael Johnson has written a farewell letter to DCC4N's MVP, Jason Saenz.

Dear Jason,

Wow, LA. Wow, driving out to LA, wow. But you're doing it, right now as I type this on an early Monday morning you ARE doing it! Probably right now, you're somewhere in Tennessee maybe, pushing on another 60 miles or so before you lay up in some rustic road side motel. An old southern gal, Ethel May, still working the front desk, watching reruns of the Golden Girls on NIC, when you show up in the parking lot. Yeah, she was still up just because she can't get enough of that Blanche, plus she had a feeling, "That some lonesome stranger was probably gonna mosey on up tonight, needing a place to rest that road weary head". In the morning she'll bring you biscuits, gravy, OJ and coffee with a little note that says,

Safe travels funny man.
Sincerely,
Your dog, "Cum Dumpster".

But how could she know that joke? No worries, you run to the front desk to ask her how she knew your material, or even remembered it? Why would she remember it? How could something like that even resonate with someone? Do you think I should open with that? Why isn't Cum Dumpster quite hitting? But when you get there, she's gone. The girl behind the counter isn't even old enough to take the prom and when you ask her about Ethel May, she says, "Ethel who? No Ethel May ever work here…hey mister, will you sign this permission slip from Planned Parenthood?"

There's no time to look for the late night hotel desk clerk with a penchant for dick and dog jokes. However, peace will settle in like the tread on the tires settle onto the road; there are going to be experiences all along this journey. How could there not be--you're going to Califuck'nfornia!

This is just the beginning. From Tennessee, you could go south then west or just keep on towards the setting sun. Its been written about so many times, Going to California, by Zepplin, Stienbeck with the Grapes of Wrath, and Hughes with the Griswold's, and now Life brough to you by Mr. Saenz. There is so much ahead, take your time and soak it all in like the moment sponge you are.

Tell you where you can't get these experiences—going to New York.

Nope, no one ever talks, writes or even cares about when someone decides to pick up and go to New York. Michael J. Fox did once back in the 80's, a little film called "The Secret to My Success". You know what they call that film today in Hollywood? "Fox Turd". Whenever someone gets a script about going to New York or making it in New York, its always the same, "Uh, this looks like a Fox turd" or "That bin is for recyclables, that is reserved for Fox turds" or "Wasn't me, must be that Fox turd".
But you're not going to New York. You're going to California…nothing to worry about. California, where the weather is as pleasing as the women and the gangs are all bilingual.

Your jealous colleague and friend,
MJ

P.S. I will be out in LA next week, hope I could crash for a day or two. Hey, we'll have lunch!

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4 Then Interview: Cissy Fenwick

In this installment of the 4 Then Interview series, DCC4N hopes to shed light on a question that many improvisers in DC ask themselves..."Should I move to anywhere other than Chicago?"

Washington Improv Theater alum Cissy Fenwick, who one year ago made the big plunge to the other coast, compares the comedy scenes between her native DC and her new sun-drenched home of LA; talks about some of her favorite past improv shows in DC; and reveals what excites her now about being in a brand new city, with all new comedic possibilities.

Why did you choose to move to LA?

I chose LA because my best girlfriend in comedy chose LA. Sounds semi-pathetic right, but honestly, I just consider it lucky. LA gets a bad rep on TV and in the movies. It comes across as this den of sin, this town full of flighty entertainment people who are fake, lie, only care about being tan, and just sit in traffic all day. It is completely false. LA is an amazing city. Every day feels like Saturday out here, and pretty much everyone I meet is nice, friendly, and open to networking and sharing advice. So maybe some people might be fake, but you will find that everywhere; and personally, I'd rather people be fake and nice then fake and rude. Since most of LA is centered around the entertainment industry, there is an incredible community of actors, actresses, and comedians. Sometimes you run across the occasional douchebag, but they are easily avoidable.

[Hit the jump, dudes.]

Where did you get your start doing improv?

The first class I took was at the DC improv with Shawn Westfall. It was short form, and a lot of fun. From there I ventured over to Washington Improv Theater to audition for One Sixty One. Luckily, Natasha Rothwell took a chance on an unknown kid and cast me in Caveat instead.

How long were you performing in DC, and what were your favorite shows/troupes/venues?

I performed in DC for about 2 years. My favorite show to watch is Dr. Fantastic. I just laugh straight through the whole show―such an amazing ensemble cast. As far as good improv, you can't go wrong with pretty much any show in WIT. Even now, living in LA, and seeing some of the best improvisers in the country―the professionals if you will―I still haven't seen a show that is better then a WIT show. Biscuitville might be the best improv I have seen in my life, and any show with Mikael Johnson or Dave Johnson is sure to be incredible. I think the most fun I had doing improv though was in a summer show I did with WIT called WIT Hot American Summer with Topher, Jason, Patrick, Julia, Alice, Zack, and the incomparable Mike Bass. I realize now that most of these shows don't perform regularly, and that makes them like awesome holidays―a reunion of sorts. The all-female troupe, The Shower, which I was lucky enough to be a part of and play with at festivals, was such a fun experience, I had gotten so used to just playing with boys that it was liberating to play with all women. Of course Caveat will always have my heart, those guys are just the best group of guys a girl could ever ask to play with.

When did you decide it was time to move?

I decided to move in the Spring of 2007. I grew up in DC/MD, and went to school in MD. I knew I wanted to experience more of the country. I seriously considered Chicago for a while, and still think it's an amazing city. Julia Bensfield, my writing partner and one of my best friends who I met doing comedy at the DC Improv, decided she was moving to LA over the summer, and asked if I wanted to come with her. I was at a great point where I had nothing to lose and everything to gain―not having a super serious job nor a family to support―I said yes almost immediately. I think when it's time to move you know even before you admit it to yourself, and once you do you realize, you have been subconsciously preparing for it for a while, and it's this incredibly exciting feeling. It can be stressful and sad because the whole idea of starting over can be frightening, and for me personally, I was devastated to leave my family and friends in DC. Once you know you can do that though, you know you can handle anything.

What types of comedy have you gotten involved with since you arrived in LA? Did you feel it was hard to get started again?

Since moving out here in September, I have been taking improv and sketch writing classes. I started by taking classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. It was not hard to get involved in, actually it was the easiest thing I did. In any city you live in, if you are looking to meet cool, fun, smart people, I highly recommend taking an improv class. It's how I met a lot of my friends in DC, and how I have met the majority of my friends in LA. LA has a great and fast-growing improv scene. It used to just be the Groundlings in the old days, but in the last 10 years, Second City and IO have opened theaters out here. Then in 2005, UCB opened.

There is also an abundance of stand up venues such as the Improv, the Laugh Factory, and the Comedy Store, as well as a ton of small open mics. It's not super hard to get time out here because everyone is looking to be discovered or discover someone, so there are plenty of opportunities.

I find that there is a much bigger sketch writing scene, and I have enjoyed learning the ropes and discovering that. I am now starting to venture into writing digital shorts. Since most people are interested in making movies, pretty much everyone you meet has a skill you need to make a movie. I don't know the first thing about editing or cinematography; however, I have met people and have friends who do so it is a collaboration. Even if you do it yourself, it's a fun process and you can put up videos on Funny or Die or ucbcomedy.com. The improv classes I have taken at UCB have been incredible. It's a different philosophy than WIT; they are much more "game"- oriented at UCB, so while it was a challenge to learn a new style, it has certainly been an incredible learning experience. The teachers are all seasoned improvisers, and working actors and actresses. UCB is very encouraging of its students, and pretty much the whole theater revolves around having fun and creating an environment where you can showcase and hone your talent, and, as a result, get hired for jobs.

How did your time in DC prepare you for being in a bigger market?


My time in DC prepared me for a bigger market mainly because I got to work with such incredible people in DC. I learned from the best, and had a solid foundation to stand on out here in the big city. I was able to use what I learned at WIT, especially from Natasha Rothwell, my director while I was in Caveat. DC was a great place to start because I think the best place to learn is onstage. In DC I had the opportunity to perform every week in a variety of shows. In DC, I realized not only was an all-female show a fun idea, but a prosperous one as well. I am now rehearsing a three women show out here, and while it's not "The Shower" yet, it is getting there.

What are you now able to do that you couldn't do in DC?

I think with a bigger city comes more opportunities. There are more theaters, more auditions, and more people all interested and passionate about the same things you are. Passion is an addictive and inspiring trait, and for people in LA, you know whatever they are doing in terms of acting or comedy, you knows it's not just a hobby. They are going to put as much into it as you are, if not more. There are also a lot more classes available out here. Since moving here, I have taken sketch writing classes with Matt Besser and Paul Rust. I am also currently taking an Improv for TV and Film class with Shira Piven. The opportunity to learn from these people has been a major highlight of moving out here. Plus I am able to tan outside on a regular basis. That's huge for me.

Aside from the obvious, what are some of the other differences between LA and DC in terms of opprotunity and comedic growth?

LA is the entertainment capital of this country. If you are involved in comedy or acting, and end up working on a regular basis, at some point, you will end up out here, at least for a little while. That means that there are going to be more opportunities for a variety of classes and venues out here then there are in DC. More opportunities to audition for commercials, shows, and movies. Its also a lot easier to find ways to support yourself financially while doing what you love. Obviously most people want to be the biggest and the best, but what people don't often realize until they get out here is that there is a "biggest and best" of a lot of things. There are so many opportunities behind the scenes; working on a TV show or a film is a great way to make connections, meet people, and climb the ladder to the top. Being a writer's assistant is a great way to break into the writing world, or being a production assistant is the quickest way to learn the ropes on a film or TV set.

What do you miss most about DC?

Family, friends, Five Guys, performing a lot, knowing short cuts while driving, being close to NY, going to improv festivals, and different seasons. Although the last one is debatable. I'm now super tan year round.

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Aparna in LA. Aparna at NACA. Aparna Writing Bad Blog Titles.

I've been jetsetting the American States United for about a week. Last Wednesday, I was in the City of Angels, California. Yester-Wednesday I was in St. Louis, Missouri (More like misery with that wind chill! Am I right, crickets?!) Not bad for an 8-day stint. Tomorrow morning, I'm headed to Raleigh, North Carolina for the Dirty South Improv Festival.

Anyway, let's recap my travels with gusto and a dash of pepper!

*puts on chef hat, also incidentally blogging hat*

Los Angeleezy

I wish people in LA were only allowed to wear LA Gear. Not because it's a good idea, but because the idea amused me for three seconds. I love this city. I know it has a bad rep because of Hollywood floozies, but I really liked it when I was out there. Maybe because it's sunny there right now and it's frowny here right now. Maybe it's that. Or maybe it's because it's a vibrant and exciting city with infinite avenues for creativity.


LA-parna

The comedy shows I got to do in LA ran the full gamut of the stand up experience. On Wednesday night, merely a few hours after I was greeted by the waving fronds of palms, I got to do some time (sounds edgy) at the Hollywood Improv. The booker was kind enough to squeeze me on relatively last minute, and I got to do five happy minutes of punching the sky. That's a new expression I've coined for a fun set. The Improv is a typical comedy club, and there was a pretty amazing line up including Chris Porter from Last Comic Standing and a surprise appearance by Ty Barnett, also of Last Comic Standing.

I found people and other comedians to be generally friendly everywhere I went, and they came and talked to me after shows especially if they enjoyed a particular joke I did. Other shows I performed at included a place called Karma Coffeehouse, which was very similar to DC's very own deceased Soho Tea & Coffee open mic, including the appearance of memorable characters such as Treeman (a man standing 9-feet-tall dressed up like a tree - he only came to enjoy the comics, not to be one). I also attended an improv show called Cagematch @ UCB, which I would highly recommend. The two groups that performed (Convoy and Tigerpants) were both amazing.

I also did a show called Rocket Video, which was in a video store. No microphone. Just straight up in the back behind the foreign films section. Free beer and soda too! My favorite show that I got to do was called The Tomorrow Show, and it took place in a theater setting. It is hosted by three superfun dudes, including Brendon Small of Home Movies fame, and it starts at 12 midnight every Saturday night/Sunday morning and runs for a good two to three hours. This show is a variety show and includes music, comedy interviews, characters, stand up, and anything one could imagine up. It draws a regular faithful audience every week as well. I almost ended up doing my set in panda make-up. That's just the sort of thing that happens in LA.

NACA Convention in St. Lunatics, Missouri



I'll also briefly recap attending the national NACA convention this past Tuesday. NACA stands for the National Association for Campus Activities, and it's where college bookers go to choose their entertainment for the upcoming school year. Literally, every type of entertainment imaginable. Magicians, singer-songwriters, dancers, mimes, performance artists, public speakers (including Lance Bass), martial artists, clowns, exotic reptiles, improv/sketch groups, and of course, stand up comedians.

I, along with the other comedians on the Stand Up for Diversity College Tour, were part of the closing festivities of the convention. The audience for our showcase was probably a little over 1,000 people even though it was originally slated for 2,500. Still a bit of a formidable number for me to comprehend. The performance space involved two large jumbo screens next to you onstage as well as a digital clock timing you right by your feet. My set was a bit shaky, but wakka wakka NACA, what can you do?

After my set, all of us comedians went to the booth in the big open "marketplace" to schmooze with bookers and college students. It was a flurry of overstimulation, but definitely a memorable experience. It was like having to be one of the spritzer ladies in the mall except replace the perfume with pamphlets and DVDs. It was a good experience in self-promotion, and luckily it didn't involve accidentally spraying someone in the eye.

So that's it. I'll be fielding questions about my travels in person at an undisclosed time and location.
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New blog link. Check it.

I have met both these ladies and they are great. Two DC girls that have moved to LA. FUNNY and cool. Check them out. please on the links tab! Read more!