A great man came out of my uterus last night

On stage in Peterborough, in the “Impros vs. Joes” improv show, I find myself standing on stage as a deep voiced, chain smoking, Mary Magdaline checking out a virgin who is considering my services, when a man begins to squeeze through my legs and that man happens to be Peter Wildman from the legendary group the “Frantics”…it was a good night.

After inviting “Impros vs. Joes” performers, Ray and Kate,  to join a Durham Improv show last month, I was promptly asked to be in their next show, a show starring Patrick McKenna….Patrick freaking McKenna! It was not until the night of the show, when Peter walked in, that I thought, “Am I in over my head?”

Not usually one for nerves before a show, I suddenly reverted back to when I was cutting my teeth on any stage I could get on, or back in my early days of Theatresports – when you met your teammates just before you hit the stage. I was actually a little nervous! A new environment, a cast I’d never played with before, and two legendary comedy greats as scene partners, was going to make for a memorable night.

Wait a minute Stephanie, did you say you don’t get nervous? How is that possible? Easy answer folks, just remember: this is improv, there’s no preparation, no lines to forget, no props that fail, no elaborate sets to trip over, no control over what is about to come out of your partners’ mouths, or yours for that matter. This can be viewed as either a frightening or liberating experience, you decide. Before a show, I personally find the best pep talk is delivered with a simple shrug, “Hope this doesn’t suck!”

And as Peter, completing his exit from between my legs, stood to ask “Okay, so how much do I owe you?” I knew this night was not going to suck.