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.

Why do we play games? To some extent the answer to that question depends on the type of game we’re talking about. Certain games we play so that we can cathartically lose ourselves in them, like role playing games; other games, like poker, chess, scrabble, etc., we play to experience the excitement of what happens when you mix strategy with chance. Whatever the reason, we can say with certainty that the overarching reason of why people play games is for the sheer joy of playing.

When we agree to play a game, we exercise our free will because we agree to the rules of the game before we begin playing. Games are supposed to be fun, and when we study the rules and use them properly, we not only excel in the game, but we also have a lot more fun. 

It is possible that we all agreed to the rules of the Life game before we started playing. I am not referring to the board game, but rather to this organic one that we are living and breathing at all moments. When you think of Life as a game, you see that it is symbolically connected to all the other games we play; Life is as much a role-playing game as it is a game of chance and strategy. The more we intentionally challenge our character and take risks, the more we grow.

“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. It’s also guaranteed to be the most enjoyable 90 minutes of your week.

Life Is A Game begins January 2010 at Circle’s Edge Center for Spiritual Living. For more info or to register, email us at www.homesliceproductions@gmail.com

Article by Jessica “The Jester” Levity

Homeslice Productions, Exec. Director

The Utility Players, Creator/Producer/Comedian

Homeslice Productions, the managing company that produces the Utility Players, had their ribbon cutting ceremony with the Sparks Chamber of Commerce. Homeslice Productions strives to bring the fun and energy back to any event - whether it be a business mixture or a private party. For more information about Homeslice Productions and that services they provide please visit our website

The mixer featured an all-star lineup of local artists and performers. To kick off the mixer, Homeslice Productions featured th musicals stylings of local singer/song writer Tyler StaffordSinger/Song Writer Tyler Stafford . Tyler, a long time friend of the Utility Players, is currently working on a new album and lended his dreamy accoustic voice to the mixer. For more information about Tyler and his music check out his myspace account

The Sparks Chamber of Commerce, which Homeslice Productions is a member of, is working to revitalize and strengthen the communities of Reno and Sparks. According to their website:

"It seeks to unite all the industrial, commercial, and civic interests of the city for the purpose of concerted action in supporting those activities which are broader than any single business or industry, and which promote the welfare of the city as a whole"

In keeping with this ideal, the Chamber puts on a number of family and community oriented events - including Star Spangled Sparks, a 4th of July celebration, which Homeslice Productions produced the main entertainment for.

The mixture also showcased the always adorable and exceptionally talented Miss Erika Hill, the seven year old winner of Sparks Got Talent. Erika shocked and wowed audiences with her incredible rendition of Barbra Streisand's "Don't Rain on my Parade" and also "Boogie Woogie Buggle Boy". Erika and Tyler are just a few examples of the widespread talent that works with Homeslice Productions.Miss Erika Hill and Producer Jessica Levity

To end the night, The Utility Players performed a selection of improv games and exercises and sketches from their first season. Host, Jessica Levity, highlighted the importance of improv in all aspects of business. Improv is a tool that can be used to improve intra-group coorperation, increase sales performance, promote creativity and idea generation within a group. The Utility Players are avaiable for private parties, mixers, workshops, and trainings. If you are interested in finding out some more information about how the Utility Players can improve your business and business team email us at theutilityplayers@gmail.com

Members of the Utility Players with Erika and Tyler

Ian's alma mater has asked the Utility Players to come in and teach some improv classes to the high school. Improv is an asset that any performer, artist, public speaker, and athlete could utilize to hone their craft. Check out some of the articles in our press room of how improv and involvement with the Utility Players has helped some of the members.