13) All Aboard
I could not wait for my Comedy Writing for Stage, TV, and Film class. The last time I was this excited to learn a specific topic was the times tables back in the 2nd grade.
Thanks to the continued increase in gas, the class was moved to Zoom and I would not have to drive to New York each week. I held onto the dream that the next time I’d cross that state line it would be for a performance in the city.
The first topic we covered in class was writing Monologue jokes for Monologues for late night tv. We analyzed various jokes from monologues and identified which technique the writer used.
At the end of the first class, we were assigned a two part homework assignment. For the record, this was the greatest homework assignment in the history of my entire education.
We were given 100 headlines that we had to turn into 100 jokes.
We had to find a sketch to analyze and present during the next class.
Wow.
This homework assignment taught me so much. It taught me the techniques in writing both monologue jokes and comedy sketches. And more significantly it taught me that I really picked the wrong college major.
There were a lot of infamous sketches that came to mind. But I decided to dig a little deeper and went with one that had a little extra meaning. The sketch that first introduced me to not only sketch comedy and but also the New York Comedy scene. Eddie Murphy’s Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood. I vividly remember being a young girl and watching SNL’s Best of Eddie Murphy on VHS with my brothers. The first time I watched I was absolutely mesmerized. And as I watched the opening montage of the talent posing in front of various buildings and sites of New York City I was watching others live their dreams. To me, making it to New York City was the epitome of success. To be able to do what you love in the center of the universe.
But comedy and writing were never presented to me as a possible career. The nuns who ran my grammar school never invited anyone from that field to present on Career Day. I assumed to a comedian or writer you had to be born somewhere cool. Or go to one of those special gifted and talented schools. Comedy was for someone else. Someone born of a different breed.
For the third class we had to write an original sketch of our own. I had an idea. After doing a riff and applying all the skills I learned in class, I watched that idea grow into something stronger. From there I outlined the story spine in my notebook. I opened my script writing software and with each stroke of the keyboard, a full fledged script came to life.
We did a table read for each sketch presented in that class. I assigned the other writers roles to act out my sketch. As they performed I watched my instructor to try to gauge his reaction. He was the best of the best. As a genuine grin grew across his face I knew instantly that he approved. Hearing the feedback and praise he gave me was a moment I will never forget.
I now had enough material to start building my own writer’s packet. I learned the skills not only to write sketches but longer scripts as well. And while I had the skills could possibly take me anywhere, I still held onto the dream of making it just 18 miles away. I wanted to get on that train and cross that river.
I still wasn’t sure where any of this was going, but I knew I would continue on. I no longer worried about the final destination, but was enjoying the journey with each stop along the way.
I learned among the best of the best. I learned the skills to make it at the next level. But more importantly I learned that most of those necessary skills were ones I already had. Ones I was born with. And maybe to be a different breed doesn't come from where you were born or what schools you went to. But maybe it has more to do with having the courage to embark on the journey. Because a lot can happen along the way.
A lot can grow.
That's one major lesson that I've learned from this experience.
Just as a headline can grow into a joke.
An idea can grow into a sketch.
Grief and trauma can grow into a purpose.
And a dream can grow into a reality.
Because it was during this time that I was offered a spot in an upcoming show.
I'd get on that train.
Cross that river.
My next stop: New York City.
