With the start of our season three, we are really trying to expand our capacity and range as performers, comedians, and entertainers; we are also teachers. Amongst podcasts & video blogs, the Utility Players are now teaching improv classes and workshops to organizations, businesses, and willing participants throughout the city. The Utility Players utilize improv in order to improve leadership abilities, presentation skills, group chemistry, and more all while in a safe and engaging environment.

This past Sunday, The Utility Players taught a workshop at Circle's Edge - Center for Spiritual Living. Not to generalize an entire center's beliefs or belief system, but Circle's Edge focuses on "Science of Mind", a philosophy developed by Dr. Ernest Holmes, which emphasizes that by changing your thoughts you can change your life. Jessica attends weekly services there, and the center provides a place for us to practice, so we thought we would host a little fundraiser for the center through an improv workshop. Life is a Game is a workshop, developed by Jessica, that synthesizes the principles of improv and New Thought spirituality. The workshop included some warm up exercises to get us all loosened up and to be present in the moment. Often with improv it can be very difficult to let go and surrender to the scene and not over-think. We also played a game Jessica calls "Manifestational Freeze" - a combination of the traditional improv game "Freeze", and manifesting principles which allowed for participants to play out scenes they are hoping to manifest in their real lives; in essence, it allows them to "be the change" they are wanting to see in their world. Host of the Utility Players, Jessica Levity, recalled the first time she debuted this game in her class, a participant wanted to manifest a job, and the following week he was actually hired for a new job, which sadly meant that he had to miss the following week's workshops, but of course the group was happy for him. 

The overall experience was incredible. A group of people of different ages, backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs came together and let go of who they were as individuals and allowed  themselves to have laugh and play. At first, people were a little hesitant, or perhaps nervous, to jump into some of the improv games, but by the end of the 90 minute workshop, the personal transformations of the participants were tremendous! Group members were shouting over one another for a chance to jump up on stage. We sometimes forget how many inhibitions we carry around with us all the time; I can't do this, I must act a certain way, I can't act goofy or loose my composure. When I saw grown adults rolling around on the floor acting like they were wrestling a crocodile, I about lost it. The feedback we received about the workshop related that it left people feeling lighter, a little less stressed, and their general mood was better. It was truly a callback to our early childhood days where we had no obligations or concerns other than what games we were going to play that day.

If you are interested in booking the Utility Players for a workshop, training, or a private event please email us at theutilityplayers@gmail.com.  We provide fun, interactive, and engaging instruction that is sure to not only educate participants, but do so in a hilarious, light-hearted way.

Once again, we have newscaster Sore Iansen delivering this week's headlines with his own little spin on it. The Utility Players own version of SNL's Weekend Update and The Onion with the adorableness and general hilarity that is Ian Sorensen.Stayed tuned for next week's episode:

Erin Slimak, voted one of the best actresses in Reno in 2009, is involved in a new production next month. Erin recently finished a role in another Reno Little Theater production - Cliffhanger in the Fall.  Reno Little Theater is putting on a production of Almost Maine taking place at Hug High School for the first two weeks in February.Here is a short description of the play:

On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost's residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night's dream.

The show also features fabulous local actress, friend to the Utility Players, and extra in our musical Amanda Alvey. Amanda recently finished a production Romeo and Juliet and is lending her creative and artistic talent to this show.

It is important that we support local performers and performances in order to keep a thriving and rich theater culture here in Reno. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $6 for students and has multiple shows and show times so make sure to check it out and go see it.

A new addition to this past season of the comedy cabaret, The Nooz Sho was the Utility Players version of "Weekly Update". Featuring Sore Iansen as the host delivering this week's headlines in the fasion of the Onion. Stayed tuned next week for another epiosde.

"Coming Out" is a phrase typically used by the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community to describe the process of disclosing one's sexual orientation to friends, co-workers, and family.

Last night during one of our meetings, Josh expanded the concept of "coming out". While going over the budget, Josh raised his hand and blurted out that he "had come out to his dad". Of course everybody, and especially us gays, turn their heads in this confused expression - did our radar not go off with Josh and therefore our powers gone. He then quickly added that he finally came out to his dad as a stoner.

The entire room broke out into laughter and then felt a sense of pride for Josh finally coming out to his dad - an issue that Josh has been concerned about ever since he started with the Utility Players a year ago. Josh's father, though a little disappointed, accepted Josh's pot smoking for "medical" reasons and even admitted that back in college he experimented once or twice with it for "pleasure" purposes, and found he did not have a taste for it.

Having the "pot smoking" discussion is not an easy one to have with your parental units. Although at some point your parents have to realize that because you live in Reno, are performing in a comedy troupe, and all of your friends are living this certain bohemian lifestyle, that you might be a pot smoker. 

The Utility Players, after the musical, were approached about an upcoming project. The Great Basin Film Society and Larry Elliot - a local musician and composer in town - asked the Utility Players to lend their comical voices & impersonations for an upcoming silent film they wanted to show.

The Phantom of the Moulin Rouge is a rarely seen French silent film from the 1920s. The plot follows a man Julian - scorned by his true love - who decides to the go to the Moulin Rouge to forget his sorrow. There he meets a hypnotist that frees his spirit from his body and allows him to forget his earthly troubles. He forgets them so much, that when his body is discovered by the police and an autopsy is ordered, he must quickly return to his body before it is too late.For more information about the show check out the RN&R's article about the event called the "The Sound of Silents"

The Great Basin Film Society contracted Elliot and Elliot put together a team that included yours truly, the Utility Players. When first asked to do it all we knew was that it was a silent film and they wanted us to provide sound effects, movements, and most of all French gibberish. If you have never attempted French gibberish before, I recommend trying it out, because most of the time you are just saying "we we we" and  "huh huh huh" and a lot of "le _______". The effect was that most of us came off sounding like the French Chef in The Little Mermaid.

We had a great time though and the event was a huge success. It was more than just a movie showing and instead transformed into a full on theatrical production. Elliot composed an entire score to coincide with the movie and about 9 or so actors providing the sound effects and the French gibberish and it was great to be a part of the whole experience. It was something new and challenging for us and since we are based in improv it made sense for us to be a part of this project.

Jessica Levity, producer of the Utility Players, is taking a moment out from hosting the Comedy Cabaret to facilitate a new spiritual improv class called Life is a Game.

"Life Is A Game is a workshop I created to help people explore their own comfort zones, attitudes, and the infinite possibilities of this Life Game through improvisational theater," states Levity. She goes on to say, "And, it’s also guaranteed to be the most enjoyable 90 minutes of your week."

"I recommend improv to anyone and everyone," relates manager and fellow Homeslice Productions entertainer, Miss Ginger Devine. "I started taking classes from Jes and the rest of the Utility Players when I got out here to Reno, and the experience is priceless." Improv can be utilized outside of the entertainment arena as well. Improv is a great way to increase idea generation and creative flow, increase your ability to react and respond to situations that pop up,  and for commanding a presence in the board room or when giving a presentation.

Life is a Game premieres Sunday January 31st at Circle's Edge: Center for Spiritual Living @ 11:30am. If you have any questions about the workshop or would like to register for this workshop please email Jessica at homesliceproductions@gmail.com. For more information about various classes and workshops that the Utility Players offer and how they can benefit you, please check out our workshops page!!

“The Improv Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Improvising in Comedy, Theater, and Beyond”

By: Tom Salinsky and Deborah Frances-White

Reviewed by Miss Ginger Devine

“…few adults really get to play or have the lack of self-consciousness required to do it. It’s a real gift to improvise regularly. Furthermore, to stand in a theatre and see an audience come in a group of excited performers backstage and think ‘None of these people would be here if I hadn’t produced this. They’d all be somewhere else, somewhere less exciting, if I hadn’t done this’ is a lovely moment. “ – 306

It is important for a manager of a comedy troupe – a manager of any group for that matter – to continually educate themselves on their profession. It is important to be updated on new trends in marketing strategies, management outlooks, and what is currently happening in the world of pop culture. One of the books that has proven to be invaluable in its knowledge and information is “The Improv Handbook” by Tom Salinksy and Deborah Frances-White. Tom Salinsky and Deborah Frances-White guide the reader on a journey through the fundamental basics of improv, with each chapter building off the previous one, and when readers reach the final chapter they have a broader conceptualization of the world of improv – both on and off the stage.

Most of the book outlines strategies for teaching improvisation and provides step-by-step instruction on how to structure your class so that it will be most effective for the new improver. The book is set up almost in modules so that all of the information that Salinsky and Frances-White provide is easily laid out and accessible for readers. They overview the basic rules of improv but also provide exercises and games that highlight various concepts of improv. Salinksy and Frances-White create a rubric that builds upon itself in incremental steps – a perfect introduction to improv for any newcomer. Most importantly they speak directly to some of the fears and doubts that individuals have when they initially began performing improv. The authors present talking points to address the concerns that people initially have and methods for breaking those individuals out of their shell and challenging them to step outside of their comfort zone.

One of the reasons that this book in particular was beneficial and useful for me was how the authors extended beyond the classroom or the stage. Instead of simply having a number of improv warm-up games or improv exercises with a description and set of instructions, Salinksy and Frances-White truly examine the mechanics and logistics of creating a class, a comedy troupe, and putting on a show. Their discussion of intra-group dynamics and hurdles improv troupes can expect to encounter served as an essential resource in the management of the Utility Players. Their anecdotes of not only their successes but failures as well provided comfort and solace and an example to model after.

One observation that I have noted in my time as the Utility Players’ manager is that while improv is unscripted and scenes are created at random, it is an art form like any other performance and requires instruction and practice to truly master it. I feel that sometimes there is an impression that because the scenes are made up on the fly, individuals – especially people who have never done improv in their life – tend to think it is something that does not need to be studied. Or for that matter, anybody could step up to the challenge and improv perfectly on the spot. I recommend this book to any individual who is interested in improv, forming a comedy troupe that is rooted in improv, or for any pre-existing group that is looking for a book to provide some insight on how you can take your comedy troupe or show to the next level.

Here is another video clip from our musical. This is the big group number for the finale called "We're Not Gonna Stop, 'Til We're Famous". The number, just as it stands, relates the committment that the Utility Players have for fame and success.

Miss Ginger Devine - friend, manager, and fellow Homeslice Productions entertainer - has launched her brand new website. The site includes photos and clips of her from her early days in Madison, Wisconsin to her time in Holland and now her new and fabulous life here in Reno. It also has a blog updated with Ginger's thoughts about life, GLEE, Diet Coke, Lady Gaga, and more. Check out her website for more information and to say hi!