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Begin to Meet Your Playful Self – Now!

You are about to discover a step-by-step instruction book of tools and paths used by them to capture the creative playful moment. No matter your age, sex, occupation, race, or if you want to perform or not, you can become a more playful person. The paths are in this book – You can begin to discover them in a few minutes.

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In order to find your playful self I am out to convince you that:

You are often too self involved in your approach to life.

The more people, places, and things you can accept, the more playful you become.

Words are far less important in communication than you think.

When you believe you are listening – you are not listen

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Listening – the Greatest Gift We Can Offer

If we agree that listening is the greatest gift we can offer to another human being, then surely it is the center of all of the games, exercises, and approaches to meet our playful selves. Most often, when we listen to family, friends, and co-workers our thoughts are full of analysis, judgment, and evaluation. We are only experiencing the full meaning of the words as our own restrictions, caused by our evaluation, will allow. We are not fully open to accepting the words being offered as we have closed off a section of our minds and filled it with consideration of a response. When we do respond, we are doing so without having heard the full message.

Does this explain a few things about all the misunderstandings, mistakes, and misadventures in your life? Even though we agree that communication is of the highest value in our relationships, and that listening is integral to effective communication we have little awareness of how well we listen. Listening is what grasps the information necessary in accomplishing any task, yet here we are running around in our lives hearing only portions of what is being said, and expecting that what we are saying is being heard.

How much of the important information we are offered might be leaking out like water through a sieve? Is it any great wonder why we feel so frustrated in our relationships if a great portion of what is being communicated never reaches us?

Hearing without listening is similar to building without following the blue prints. It is like proceeding to assemble a put-together piece of furniture like a bookcase, or computer desk without reading the directions. We end up with all those extra parts. Just as we are about to tighten the last screw, we cannot get the shelf in because of something we missed in step one.

Do you find it a little scary that our relationships, jobs, and lives are being run in this same manner? We are not hearing the information we need to assemble our lives, and expecting to fit things together without leaving any extra parts, or we are listening intently to a friend on our cell phone while moving down the road at 60 miles and hour.

Being and listening allows us to measure and direct our listening so we hear what we need to hear when we need to hear it.

Non-listening

One of the best examples of a breakdown in communication when being and listening is absent is on cable television, when two pundits of opposing parties, associations, or views are discussing an issue. Each person is so filled with espousing a view and making their point, until all space for listening has been squelched completely.

What happens? The participants talk over each other as emotions reach a higher and higher pitch until they seem likely to short out the microphone with vocal spit – and what do we have? We have Conflict, in all of its predictable glory. What is more apparent, is how the participants squabble on with very little self-awareness of how ineffectual they are. They seem to go on as though they can assemble the bookcase, construct a conclusion, or reach a consensus. Why is this?

Once we have lost the perspective of being and listening and lost the value of what another person is saying, we have lost our ability to see ourselves as others see us. We are denying that the voice we recorded on the machine is ours. We think we are presenting an effective point of view, when in reality we might just as well be howling at the moon.

Let me be honest. I do this. You do this. We all do this. When we fail at being and listening, as in the TV interview situation, we do little more than vibrate vocal cords. The point of making an example of the TV interview pundits, is to encourage ourselves to listen with being. What can we do to listen with being in our lives so as not to become argumentative TV pundits with our friends, family, and associates?

The good news is – you may have already come in contact with being and listening when you worked on yes…and… as described previously:

Next time you are conversing with a friend or co-worker, try to keep yes in your mind as you listen. You will find that you are moved into agreement with what you are hearing. Try to follow up by responding with agreement. You may discover how the doors of listening close when we fill our heads with thoughts of what-will-I-say-next and judgments. Try just holding yes as you listen and see how a new door opens as you listen in agreement.

Analysis, Judgment, Evaluation – AJE

Let’s focus on the above direction you practiced earlier as it pertains to being and listening. We will focus on the statement: You may discover how the doors of listening close when we fill our heads with thoughts of what-will-I-say-next and judgments.

Why are we approaching being and listening when we hold yes in our minds? What are we filtering out with the yes that is held there? – Analysis, Judgment, Evaluation. Let’s call it AJE. Let’s call the blockage in the flow the AJE clog in the spigot of communication

You learn how to slow and stop the AJE clog in the spigot by practicing holding yes in your mind and thoughts when you hear another person speaking. You are not just holding the word yes in your mind but you are holding the energy of acceptance. As you push toward acceptance of what another person is saying, the AJE slows and more of your consciousness is experiencing the communication of the other person.

It may seem as though you are leaving your self defenseless when stopping the AJE spigot. Holding yes will not leave you vulnerable and weakened at the opinions of others, but stronger for having heard the full depth of what is said. Once you have truly heard another person you will find a greater trust, on their part, to whatever response you may have after being and listening to them.

You can play with being and listening just about anywhere and anytime with anyone who you are communicating with, and as you practice you will find it progressively easier to slow the AJE spigot. As you begin to develop the skill of being and listening you will also reap the reward of communicating with your playful self. Conversations and discussions will lose some of the heaviness and defensiveness and become more light and playful.

You may want to check out how being and listening might be approached within a group workshop. The video below was recorded at the Community TV studeo in Trempeauleau County Wisconsin with the students of Independence High School.  It demonstrates “The Counting Game” as an exercise to point up the value of listening and is one of the examples offered in the last half of the book “Meet Your Playful Self” – The Meet Your Playful Self Workshop.

Meet Your Playful Self

They did not view the Ark as a place to be taught but came with the excitement of children at Christmas. They arrived with an expectation to play and experience in a carnival of creative possibility – that is really what Ark offered. Little did they know they were learning at the same time.

Time seems to separate us, one from the other, yet there is joy in spirit that is eternal. So, from time to time I want to share the workings and wanderings of some playful people who sailed for some years at the Ark Improvisational Theatre.

It was at the Ark that the words of the Motivational Speaker
were first heard from the trailer down by the river. Oddly enough, the picture pasted above is the only picture of Chirs that I found in the ARK files.

Nearly everyone is fondly familiar with Chris’ successful and funny life on stage, television and film. Few know of his growth, struggles beneath the “funny”. The book “The Chris Farley Show” is a well-written, deep and daring leap into his life as revealed by many who loved, respected and miss him.

Meet Your Playful Self

They did not view the Ark as a place to be taught but came with the excitement of children at Christmas. They arrived with an expectation to play and experience in a carnival of creative possibility – that is really what Ark offered. Little did they know they were learning at the same time.

Time seems to separate us, one from the other, yet there is joy in spirit that is eternal. So, from time to time I want to share the workings and wanderings of some playful people who sailed for some years at the Ark Improvisational Theatre.

The Improv Institute was founded in late 1983 by John Michael Michalski, who would go on to direct at The Second City in Chicago. The original cast included Michalski, Rick Hall (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development, Factory), Kate Kirkpatrick, Patricia Musker (aka Roxy Bellows, also a co-writer of Flanagan’s Wake), Michael Raysses (The Drew Carey Show), Andrew J. Sten, and Jill Talley (Mr. Show, SpongeBob SquarePants). They were later joined by Ron West (3rd Rock from the Sun). Later incarnations of the mainstage cast would include Jack Bronis (Early Edition, Chicago Overcoat, director/co-writer of Flanagan’s Wake), Mark Czoske (co-writer of Flanagan’s Wake), Evan Gore (Futurama writer), Ross Gottstein (Babylon 5, Frasier), Laura Hall (Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Tom Hanigan, Amy Hartl, Phil Lusardi (co-writer of Flanagan’s Wake), Patricia Musker (aka Roxy Bellows, also co-writer of Flanagan’s Wake), Bonnie Shadrake (co-writer of Flanagan’s Wake), and Brad Sherman.

“Fear of a Bot Planet” is the fifth episode in season one of Futurama. It originally aired in North America on April 20, 1999. The episode was written by Heather Lombard and Evan Gore and directed by Peter Avanzino and Carlos Baeza. The episode focuses on a delivery the Planet Express Crew must make to a robot planet named Chapek 9. The robot inhabitants hate all humans and Bender decides to join them because he is tired of robots being treated like second class citizens. The episode is a light-hearted satire on racism, an idea reinforced by the title, a reference to Public Enemy’s 1990 album Fear of a Black Planet.

Evan Gore has been teaching at bang since 1997 (yeow!). Previously, he taught at Chicago’s The Second City and The Improv Institute. A cast member of the group Stacy’s Not Here, he has been performing improv and sketch comedy since before many of you were born. His sit-com credits include Murphy Brown, Clueless, Two Guys and a Girl, and he regrets never having appeared on Law and Order. He’s on TV commercials, radio spots and his one-man show ‘Look At Me! Look At Me! Look At Me!’ was the hit of the Aspen Comedy Festival, back in ‘37. Along with his wife, he writes cartoons for all your favorites: Futurama, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Ozzy and Drix, The Weekenders. Currently, they’re writing for ‘Dave The Barbarian’ which will air on Toon Disney early in ‘04.

Meet Your Playful Self

They did not view the Ark as a place to be taught but came with the excitement of children at Christmas. They arrived with an expectation to play and experience in a carnival of creative possibility – that is really what Ark offered. Little did they know they were learning at the same time.

Time seems to separate us, one from the other, yet there is joy in spirit that is eternal. So, from time to time I want to share the workings and wanderings of some playful people who sailed for some years at the Ark Improvisational Theatre.

I last saw Joan at the primer performance of the play written by her late father Dick Cusack “Back Off Barkman”. It was produced by Carl Vitalie and offered as a free performance in a park in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Joan Cusack was born in New York City to an Irish American Catholic family. She was raised in Evanston, Illinois. Her mother, Nancy (née Carolan), is a former mathematics teacher and political activist. Her father, Richard Cusack, as well as her siblings Ann, Bill, John and Susie, have also been actors.

Cusack is an alumna of the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She is married to Chicago attorney Dick Burke, with whom she has two sons, Dylan John and Miles. She also owns a home in Three Oaks Township, Michigan.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Locum (#12.1)
Wed. Oct. 6 12:00 AM on USA (That is tonight)

While Benson and Stabler investigate the circumstances behind a foster child’s disappearance, they discover that her overprotective parents are still struggling to cope with the disappearance of another daughter.
Director:
Arthur W. Forney
Writers:
Dick Wolf (creator), Dawn DeNoon
Original Air Date:
22 September 2010

Meet Your Playful Self

They did not view the Ark as a place to be taught but came with the excitement of children at Christmas. They arrived with an expectation to play and experience in a carnival of creative possibility – that is really what Ark offered. Little did they know they were learning at the same time.

Time seems to separate us, one from the other, yet there is joy in spirit that is eternal. So, from time to time I want to share the workings and wanderings of some playful people who sailed for some years at the Ark Improvisational Theatre.

Andy was at the Ark in the days when we moved into the building on Basset St. in Madison. (Now the Wash Basket).

Rob was in the Arktoo company that performed at the Liquid Lyric Lounge on Park St. Read and Hear more about Rob on My Space.

Here time and circumstance brought them together on Andy’s great show – The 30 Minute Music Hour – don’t miss it.

Air time and featured Artists

Madison/Beloit-based rapper Rob Dz creates hip-hop with a heart of gold. Rich production, provocative rhymes, and glorious effects blend, all fueled with the artist’s passion for life and justice. 30-Minute Music Hour In response to the thriving independent music scene, 30-MMH offers a free-form stage where artists from around the state and country perform music that might otherwise go unheard. “Colonel” Andy Moore hosts. Today, Andy Moore, producer of Here & Now on WPT, joins “Be more Tuned In” as a guest voice to talk about an exciting upcoming program production.

Meet Your Playful Self

–

They did not view the Ark as a place to be taught but came with the excitement of children at Christmas. They arrived with an expectation to play and experience in a carnival of creative possibility – that is really what Ark offered. Little did they know they were learning at the same time.

Time seems to separate us, one from the other, yet there is joy in spirit that is eternal. So, from time to time I want to share the workings and wanderings of some playful people who sailed for some years at the Ark Improvisational Theatre.

Juan (left] was at the original ARK. A few years afterward he was followed by his brother Alexis,(center) who joined another company: Arktoo.

Alexis Avila is Founder/President of Prepped & Polished: Tutoring, College Counseling, Test Prep (formerly TUTORrific Academic Services). Alexis and his associates have over ten years of full-time tutoring, test prep, and admissions counseling experience, and have worked with well over 500 families.

Alexis Avila – Professional Experience:

Alexis is a private tutor, guidance counselor, and founder/president of Prepped & Polished: Tutoring, College Counseling, Test Prep

Now there is a third brother, Nick (right), who was not in any Ark company. A most playful Avila for sure!

You can get the cd now at Amazon

Meet Your Playful Self

They did not view the Ark as a place to be taught but came with the excitement of children at Christmas. They arrived with an expectation to play and experience in a carnival of creative possibility – that is really what Ark offered. Little did they know they were learning at the same time.

Time seems to separate us, one from the other, yet there is joy in spirit that is eternal. So, from time to time I want to share the workings and wanderings of some playful people who sailed for some years at the Ark Improvisational Theatre.

Steve is director of CIMSS and professor in the department of atmospheric and oceanic science at the University of Wisconsin.
Steve has recieved these awards:

* Jan 2009:American Meteorological Society’s Teaching Excellence
* Summer 2004: UW-Madison Vilas Research Associate
* Spring 2003: Winner of the Society of Academic Author’s Talby prize to “recognize excellence in visuals in textbooks and other learning materials.”
* Summer 2003: NASA Group Achievement Award for Outstanding Teamwork on the Earth Observing System (EOS), Aqua Mission Team
* April 1999: Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Teaching
* Dec 1996: NASA Group Achievement Award: FIRE II Science and Operations Team
* April 1996: Winner of a Lilly Teaching Fellowship
* April 1995: Inducted as a Fellow in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Teaching Academy
* September 1992: NASA ERBE Program Award “For outstanding contributions to the intercomparison and validation of ERBE scanner and non-scanner results.”

Research

Globally, the earth-atmosphere system is balanced by the radiative energy gained from the sun and lost through infrared emission. The geographic distribution of radiative energy is an important climate variable. A change in one climate variable inevitably results in a change in another variable. Thus, a shift in the radiation balance at the surface of the earth, top of the atmosphere or within the atmosphere can result in a sequence of complicated changes in global climate. My interests center on understanding how changes in the radiation balance affect and are affected by changes in other climate variables such as clouds, aerosols, water vapor and surface properties. These feedback mechanisms are studied using a compliment of theoretical models and observations.

Steven says that science and folklore are often set up in society as oppositional forces. “One project goal was to model a new kind of interaction between folklore and science, showing that both are based on careful observation of one’s environment,”.

Meet Your Playful Self

They did not view the Ark as a place to be taught but came with the excitement of children at Christmas. They arrived with an expectation to play and experience in a carnival of creative possibility – that is really what Ark offered. Little did they know they were learning at the same time.

Time seems to separate us, one from the other, yet there is joy in spirit that is eternal. So, from time to time I want to share the workings and wanderings of some playful people who sailed for some years at the Ark Improvisational Theatre.

Holly Wortell is a longtime friend of Bonnie Hunt. She has been a regular on each of Hunt’s sitcoms (The Building, The Bonnie Hunt Show, and Life With Bonnie), all three times playing a vain, promiscuous character named “Holly”. In addition, she has had supporting or bit parts in several feature films in which Hunt has appeared (Beethoven, Beethoven’s 2nd, and Return to Me). Her non-Bonnie-related roles include guest spots on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage, and a national advertising campaign for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.

Wortell met Hunt in the mid-80′s Chicago improvisational comedy scene, where they formed a three woman comedy troupe called “An Impulsive Thing” with Joan Cusack. Wortell also joined the cast of The Second City mainstage in 1989 (the same year as Chris Farley and Tim Meadows), headlining for several seasons.

As of the fall of 2006, Holly is teaching improv classes at The Second City Los Angeles.

In the summer of 2008, she appeared in a series of teasers for Bonnie Hunt’s upcoming daytime talk show.

Outstanding Special Class Writing
for: “The Bonnie Hunt Show” (2008)
Shared with:
Steve O’Donnell (writer)

Meet Your Playful Self