New Year. New You. Just Like Last Year.
Happy New Year’s everyone! This time every year, people find themselves hemming and hawing over what new ways they want to change themselves this year. How much more often will they go to the gym? How many more clubs will they join to meet new people? Will they finally give online dating a shot? You know, the usual. Well in light of comedy and in specific light of Chicago comedy, I bring you the resolutions of some of Chicago’s funny folks.
“Do a one man sketch show/write a sketch show with Switch Committee. Basically…sketch show for 2014.” – Ryan Nallen, Switch Committee
“Follow the fun. Not worry about the big picture of any of it. If it’s joyful I want to be a part of it. Of course my adult brain might get in the way, but I want it to get in the way less.” – Angela McMahon, Executive Director of Under The Gun Theater
“Lose weight. Do more improv in Spanish. Maintain my positive attitude. Kiss a baby’s forehead like I’m running for president.” – Jeff Quintana, Improviser
“Worry less about the judgments of others, as long as everyone is cool with it.” – Case Blackwell, Improviser
“To either write roughly a page of something or go to the gym every day.” – Byron Roussin, Stage Manager at 773
“To think about taking up knitting and make a final decision in 2015.” – Claire Meyer, Lethal Action Force
“Fall in love fewer times and with greater accuracy. Be a kid again.” – Ted Tremper, Improviser & Filmmaker, Shrink, Break-ups
“Instead of a resolution, I am setting specific intentions, which is called Sankalpa in yogic tradition. I follow the things I am irresistibly excited by. I consistently venture outside of my comfort zone. I create & share pieces of comedy that I love and believe in. I am unconditional love!” – Ayala Skopp, Writer/Improviser
“See more shows other places. Do more writing. Have FUN.” – Alex Honnet, Upstairs Gallery, Pizza Party
“Eat less. Play more.” – Stacey Smith, Snooty Pageant
“I have been very fortunate and received a lot of opportunities in my time in Chicago. My New Year’s Resolution is to pay that kindness forward as best I can.” – Alan Linic, Switch Committee, One Two Many
“My New Year’s resolution is to anticipate that inevitable lull between projects, and instead of using it to sulk about miserably, eroding the patience of my fiancé, to instead grow some balls to write something that I don’t think will get published or performed in the near future. Something that makes me uncomfortable, that doesn’t require validation, and that runs a real risk of sucking.” – Jason Lord, 4 Days Late
“I want to do more videos in 2014 and write a pilot.” – Patrick Rowland, 3Peat
“Start dealing with the crippling pressures of local fame. Finish my book, “Drunk Improv: The New Jazz Music.” Do more prop comedy. Set attainable goals, then make fun of them when I scrapbook the pics from the memories of achieving them. Buy an exotic pet and do that cool “When Animals Attack” ventriloquist bit. Lose 100 pounds and give it to the hungry. Find a tasteful way to be the African American female cast member Lorne Michaels is searching for.” – Devin Bockrath, Super Human
“This year, I resolve to not put off writing by cleaning my home (like I did last year); but instead, put off cleaning my home by writing.” – Amanda Rountree, Writer/Solo performer, 185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar…
“To be grateful for what I have, enjoy the moment, cherish my friendships, be authentic, fewer bits, and become insanely famous no matter the cost. I’m talking sexual favors here. Contact me at bjsforfame@gmail.com.” – Tyler Smith, Claymore Productions
And my 2014 New Year’s Resolution has a number of components, some of which include writing more frequently and with greater intention, prioritizing equally and making a greater effort not to take things for granted. That and for Charna to finally recognize me. But most importantly, this year I am going to strive to make Life’s A Funny Scene bigger and better and more of a resource for Chicago comedy. Saddle up sallies, I got plans…
Happy New Year!
