CHINVENTORY
Hawaii: there and back again- an Improvisers Journey
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Sunday. After single-digit hours of sleep, I arrive in Hawaii. I left my third-in-a-row iPhone buds in the iO Green Room like a big dummy. Had to buy new ones. Shannon picked me up at the airport. It is sunny and 85 degrees. It’s gorgeous.
We go straight to the theater. There is painting, hammering, and general disarray, but things are coming together right in front of my eyes. 
We grab a quick “plate lunch” (from what I understand, it’s a tradition from all the different ethnicities that used to work in the Hawaiian fields. The workers would each swap a spoonful or two from each other so that a plate would have rice, meat, noodles, and a salad. Each segment from a different style cuisine. It’s a Plate Lunch.)
and then I have to crash at my hotel room. Here’s the view!
After too-brief a sleep (I probably could have slept for 12 hours) I wake up and meet with Shannon and her first class of improv graduates. The six six-month veterans are called “First Class” and they do a sort of proto-Harold. I go over some scene techniques and streamline a few things. Otherwise, they’re ready and raring to go! We go late and the next thing we know we’re looking for someplace to eat at 11pm. It’s late and Labor Day so most shops are closed up for the food we end up at this exotic place:
Sigh.
I get home/hotel and crash. Sleep is so good.
The next morning Shannon picks me up and she does an incredible job of teaching me about the island and showing me the sites. It’s stunning. Absolutely beautiful. Plus, I get to visit the neighborhoods and see how “real” Hawaiian’s live. The mélange of Asiatic and Polynesian cultures is fascinating. There’s a dash of Spanish and France thrown in as well.
We goto an amazing beach. 
I get a little sunburned.
Back to the theater. I help load and unload a truck full of chairs. You know the kind; black metal with vinyl covering the back and seat. Universal. The sound system works. The lighting works. The tables and chairs are set up.
First Class arrives. We run through some exercises I designed to promote and encourage a strong emotional response to each and every initiation and move. The results are great and they seem to enjoy how well it works for them.
The Advanced Improv class shows up and Shannon and I teach it together. More emotional work and then we do some verbal patterns.
I found a Vietnamese sandwich shop. I have a teriyaki chicken on a Kaiser roll with bean sprouts and greens. It’s one of the best sandwiches I have ever had. Their “special” is a plate of Spaghetti with Meatball. I’m dying to try it since it’s an “exotic” dish here. I wonder what it’s like, but I can’t waste valuable stomach room and time on such frivolities.
Then I come back to the hotel. I’m beat and covered in saltwater. Also, I wore my suit too long and have chafed.
Wednesday morning, Shannon and I are scheduled to appear on the local news. It’s the top rated morning show on KHON-TV. It’s a Fox affiliate and we head down there around 7am. With little or no prep we are seated on the set with the host. We’re on camera for three minutes. It’s fast and informative. I hope it works and pulls people in to take more classes. Karen, Shannon’s sister, is a PR Manager and is handling all the PR for the theater. She’s trying to find a Kumu to bless the theater before the show tonight.
I feel like I’m a burden on Shannon and Kim (her business partner), so I say that I’m just going to hang around the hotel while they work. Tonight is the Preview Night for the Theater. I come back to the room and walk to the local beach. It’s not as nice. The hotels are right on the beach. Seriously, there’s about 30 yards between hotel property and the water. The sand is public.
The hotel where I plopped down had some construction going on and all everyone could hear was the whining of drills. Not so great. But the beach was fantastic.
I went back to the hotel and cleaned up. Then I went here. 
And I shot two guns; a 9mm, and a 9mm with a heavier bullet. I forget what kind. It was great deal. Four clips for only $40. I did pretty good.
The island is littered with Ramen Noodle Shops. Tiny ones, Mom & Pops, chain stores, fancy places… I found a wonderful shop that had a ramen soup with Hawaiian pork and seaweed. Heavenly. 
Plus, it came with a free bowl of rice with roasted pork mixed into it. Though I have not gorged myself or even made any elaborate plans like I am wont to do, the food I have had has been amazing. I want more Ramen.
Took a cab to the theater. The driver and I had a great time! We discussed whiskeys and scotches and that one time he woke up at home with a $1500 bill from a “hostess” club. Anyway, as I got out he shouted, “Sir! Sir?!” I reopened the door and he pointed to where I was sitting, “Is that yours?”
It was a very small bag of crystal meth. “No,” I replied, “but I know what it is. Do you want it?”
“No!” he said.
“I’ll get it out of your car,” I offered, which in hindsight, he probably thinks I was just covering.
I showed it to Shannon and she yelled at me for being the very first person to bring drugs into the theater. I threw it out. Honest!
Later, two Kahu came.
Now, I knew that it was traditional to have a Hawaiian spiritual leader bless your new business/establishment, but I honestly was not prepared for how powerful and special this ceremony was for me. Two ladies sang, chanted and beat a small gourd. They spoke to us as a group and as individuals. The things they said really spoke to me and the song reverberated in my head and heart. Honestly, I did tear up. Not rolling down my cheek, but tears were definitely present. Like the Grinch, my heart grew three sizes that day. I had wanted to take a few photos of the ceremony (and some people did) but to me it felt inappropriate; like I was intruding and not paying attention. So, I waited and took a few later.
Afterwards, the lead lady and I spoke. I told her how I relished the ceremony and she said that anyone who decides to teach, and for me to come so far to do so, was a special thing. 
She explained that she taught the lady with her and that the third lady with them was her student’s student. I pointed to the photo of Del and said that he was my teacher and that I taught Shannon. Another three generation of teachers. She liked that.
People mingled and ate and drank.
Then, Shannon, her business partner Kim, and I gave some short speeches. I spoke about Chicago-based improv and Del’s work. Kim talked about the business and the gratitude she had for everyone who helped start it up. Shannon talked about the students and their dedication.
I ran out back to meet with the team that was playing that night.
The ONLY TEAM at Laughtrack are the five students who finished the three level course of study, aptly named First Class. 
They’re very nice people. At first, they were very skeptical of me and they would later tell me that some of them didn’t even want to try my exercises. Of course, in the grand tradition of alleyways and turnarounds, the warm-up area for Laughtrack is a parking garage.
They did their show and it was great! I was truthfully touched and delighted that they decided to use some of the techniques I showed them just two days ago. I slightly altered their opening and gave them some advice on how to have stronger relationship-based scenes and it all worked! I was so happy for them and the audience ate it up. Filled with about forty friends, family and media, the place was so appreciative and fun.
First Class did their show. Shannon spoke again and then we all just hung out for about 5 HOURS in the theater talking and having fun. It was delightful. During that time, I took First Class and the intermediate students back into the garage and I gave them “Chicago-style” notes. It was fun and productive.
The great thing about watching their show was that this was an audience that had never seen a long-form show before. Never even heard of it, probably. But that doesn’t matter and it shouldn’t matter how well versed someone is the medium. Most people don’t know how a television works and it doesn’t matter because it’s just how the stories, relationships and PEOPLE are being relayed to you. I’m very proud to say that I was in the audience for that first show.
Sadly, Shannon had some family issues she had to deal with so I asked the bellman to call me a cab. He did and this giant limo pulled up. It was from the cab company and had a regular taxi meter. So, the students and Shannon were quite surprised to see me pull up to the theater in a giant white limo. I can’t wait to see what cab I get tonight.
Friday morning.
Shannon and I were interviewed for the local news again. More casual and fun. I look fat on TV. Here’s a great pic of Kim surrounded by monitors showing me taking the picture.
On Friday night, I did two shows with Shannon and the regular show she’s in… Casual Threat. It was great fun and I have a blast.
Another late night party. And another late night ramble for Ramen.
Saturday was the most tiring day of the trip. Two back-to-back special Jason electives; 12-3, and then 3:30 – 6:30pm. Then I watched the 8pm First Class show. And then I was sat-in with Casual Threat again for the 10pm show. That show was my favorite one; lots of fun. I had a wonderful time, but I ended up being very, very tired. 
One of the students, Jen, surprised us all by bringing a timpano she had made. If you saw the movie Big Night, then you know what a wonderful delight this Italian dish is…. It’s a pastry crust filled with pasta, sauce, chicken, peas, meatballs and mozzarella. She did a great job; it’s a work of art and quite delicious.
Sunday, Makana (a member of First Class) offered up her house for a special party/picnic. Most Hawaiian parties are pot-luck so everyone brought something interesting. Her house is right on the beach. 
Right. On. The Beach. See that house? Right behind those bushes is the beach!! Maybe 30 feet of sand and then clear blue waters. It was so beautiful.
Her husband, Mark is a very talented and unique artist who was recently featured in the New Yorker. His work is so unique… he used to sculpt wood, but he became interested in the work of Buckminster Fuller and decided to try his hand at creating art using those principles. All the pieces are inter-lockable
panels which he created with no computer; just hand blades and rulers. He has created some incredible work and he was very nice.
Also, I kicked ass at Blongo Balls (or ladder golf). We couldn’t figure out what to call it. I liked it because it reminded me of Batman when he used bolos in the 50s.
Monday was pure business and sort of a nice decompression phrase. Travel, the act of planing and de-planing, annoys the shit out of me... new places, new people, new experiences-- I adore.
I taught a lot of improv. I got to play in three shows. I ate a lot. I learned lot about creativity and it’s evolution. I learned very much about Hawaiian culture and myself. Thank you, Shannon, Kim and Laughtrack Theater. Also, First Class, Jen, everyone I met was so nice and hospitable to me and made me feel so welcome. I shall return.
I returned home to Chicago. Beautiful, flat Illinois.
“Well, I’m back.”
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” - Henry Miller
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