Comedy Wars: Stand-Up Vs. Improv

A lot of friends ask me if stand-up and improvisation (or improv) are the same. While I’m still learning about how comedy works given my musical theater background, I’ve learned that stand-up and improv are different comedy genres. 

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Both stand-up and improv aim to have the audience laughing out loud after every performance, but it does not work the same way. It is also true that there can be crossovers between improv and stand-up. But people, especially actors, should know the distinction between these two comedy techniques. 

Stand-up comedy can happen even with just one performer. We’ve seen Kevin Hart and Chris Rock do their stints, but did you know that stand-up is built on minimal script? With stand-up, comedians must know where the joke is going, and they should also stick to certain lines in their script. However, they can play with the script to make the skit funnier. 

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Improv, however, is different. With improv, the act depends on how the situation goes. Actors can use the audience’s reaction as well as their co-actors’ response to how the flow goes. 

Some comedians do both improv and stand-up comedy. While many people are still battling as to which is the better form of comedy, it is safe to say that both can give us good, hearty laughs at the end of each skit. 

To know more about acting and actor’s life in general, visit this Louis P. Habash Facebook page.

The Rookie Actor’s Guide To Improv

A lot of people take acting for granted. They think that if they are able to memorize lines fast, they can take on any role. While memorization plays a big part in separating the good actors from the bad ones, doing excellent improv is the ultimate test of acting prowess. 

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What is improv, by the way? Improv is a shortened term for improvisational theater. It is a live performance of scenes created on the spot by actors, who are only given an overview of what the scene looks like. They’ll have to do the rest on their own. Improv actors should be quick witted and up for every challenge on stage. 

Comedian Tina Fey has four rules of improv, as mentioned in her book “Bossypants.” 

According to Fey, the first rule of improv is to AGREE. When in real life, you’re trained to say “no” to things that you’re not inclined to do, with improv, you should always say “YES.” Saying “yes” will remind you to respect what your partner has started, and will lead you to start from an open-minded place. 

The second rule is to say YES, AND. When you agree with your partner, you have to add something on your own that will keep a plot moving forward. The third rule is to MAKE STATEMENTS. Don’t point out obstacles and ask too many questions. 

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The fourth rule of improv is that THERE ARE NO MISTAKES, only opportunities. Accidents make a good improv plot, so don’t worry about messing the story up. 

Hi, I’m Louis P. Habash, and I love sharing tips about theater acting. Check out my Facebook page for similar news and articles.

Passion: The lesser-known Stephen Sondheim Musical

When one talks about Stephen Sondheim, most people immediately think of Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, or Sunday in the Park with George. They may even gush about the beautifully-written lyrics of West Side Story and Gypsy, which Sondheim wrote and for which he received critical acclaim. He is considered by Sir Cameron Mackintosh as "possibly the greatest lyricist ever."

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 That being said, it is quite unfortunate that a lot of his work remain relatively unknown. Today’s musical actors focus more on his popular musicals and completely forget about the others. One example is the critically acclaimed Passion.

This musical, in particular, should be discussed because it deviates from standard formats in two distinct ways. First, the musical begins with a love song. This may not seem drastic, but an actor should remember that most musicals normally start with either a fun introduction or some sort of catchy song.

Love songs are usually done in the middle, when the audience already feels emotionally invested in the characters. However, Passion immediately begins with a song of love and happiness. The audience is instantly introduced to the underlying theme of the musical (if the title was not clear enough) and is somehow prepared for the more emotional songs as the play progresses.

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 Second, Passion is more gritty and raw. Compared to Sondheim’s other works, which are often cheeky and chockfull of innuendo and witticisms, Passion’s lyrics are often very simple and direct – the characters clearly stating their desires. When Passion was initially released, most critics found the change refreshing but were themselves unsure how to receive it. The musical clearly was so different. This led to its modest popularity and its status as second fiddle to Sondheim’s more well-known musicals.

Louis P. Habash is a musical actor passionate about everything Broadway. Join his quest to learn more about the exciting life on stage by liking this Facebook page.

Four Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Have Master’s Or Doctorate Degrees

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In show business, rarely will you find an actor, singer, or athlete who has completed a bachelor’s degree. The brightest stars are typically college dropouts who chose to sacrifice college in exchange for a temporary opportunity to get famous. The scenario is very common and is highly understandable. However, some stars have actually made it well in showbiz while not completely abandoning their studies. Some of them even completed a Ph.D., which is the highest level of education that can be received in a field of study.

Mayim Bialik. A mainstay of the popular sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” the actress plays the role of Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, a neuroscientist. In real life, Bialik is indeed a Ph.D. holder in neuroscience. She attended UCLA, although both Harvard and Yale also accepted her. Her dissertation was about the investigation of hypothalamic activity in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome.

James Franco. The actor is famous for his diverse filmography and intriguing intelligence, but not everyone knows that he actually places very high priority on education. He is currently finishing his Ph.D. in English at the prestigious Yale University. He received his MFA from Columbia in 2010.

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Shaquille O’Neal. When the NBA drafted the four-time NBA champion, he left Louisiana State University to pursue his dream of becoming a professional basketball player. His parents objected to the idea, but O’Neal promised to return to school as soon as he got the chance. And so he did! He graduated in 2012 with a Ph.D. in education from Barry University.

Brian May. The lead guitarist and songwriter for the world-renowned rock band Queen graduated from Imperial College with a BSC Honors degree major in mathematics and physics. He then continued to study at Imperial College for his Ph.D. and graduated in 2008.

While I see myself acting for the rest of my life, I still plan to advance my education and expand my career opportunities. My name is Louis P. Habash. Follow me on Twitter for more acting updates.

How Les Miserables the Musical Changed Theatre

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Les Miserables has changed the way musicals are written and received. The musical first opened in London on October 8, 1985 and quickly became popular, becoming the second longest-running musical in the world and fifth longest-running show in Broadway history. The collaboration between Schonberg and Boublil immediately struck a chord among theater fans and further popularized the Victor Hugo classic.

The musical revolutionized public reception of theatre shows. Before it came out, many musicals tackled lighter topics. Love was an obvious subject, but plays were focused on its more romantic side – the darker aspects only hinted at or briefly touched. Les Miserables, which translates to The Miserable People, blatantly challenged this concept; not only dwelling on topics such as prostitution and death but making these themes the foreground of a story. Despite being set during the 19th century, the core topics were universal. Actors were challenged to tap into their more sensitive sides and were encouraged to display their emotional ranges.

The play was also considerably long. The entire musical would run for more than two hours. This translated to more than 120 minutes of intense emotion. During its first runs in London, initial reviews were conflicting. Many people simply did not know how to react to it.

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Eventually the musical’s popularity grew and more people clamored for more musicals on more realistic topics. Theater playwrights were all too willing to accept the challenge. This has led to many beautiful and raw musicals being produced since then.

But there is power still in the original. Les Miserables still remains one of the most popular musicals to date and continues to draw crowds from many countries.

My name is Louis P. Habash, an aspiring actor with a passion for musical theater. From Les Miserables to The Book of Mormon, I live, breathe, and eat musicals. Learn more about my passion by liking my Facebook page.

Enter Self Center Stage

Developing an entirely different persona from oneself and having the chops to make that new personality believable is extremely difficult. A lot of people turn to actors for an escape from their normal lives, but the magic happening on the stage or screen is no easily produced feat. Actors must study rigorously while practicing their trade whenever possible, and in time (hopefully) finding their own unique voice in a form of artistry teeming with participants.

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There are various techniques one can utilize when it comes to acting, and different players choose different approaches depending on which is most comfortable or those they may have studied. Classical acting is based on a series of systems developed by Constantin Stanislavski. In Stanislavski’s method, actors look within themselves to find inner emotions or feelings they can relate to the character they are portraying. They try to get into the mindset of the character and use their own experiences to interpret how the character might react to certain circumstances.

The Chekhov Technique derives from Michael Chekhov, a student of Stanislavski. Transformation is made by the actor through impulse, imagination, and a combination of internal and external gesture to try and portray the character.

Method acting is most often attributed to Lee Strasberg and/or members of the legendary Theatre Group. This technique draws upon numerous others, allowing the performer to better hone in on the thoughts and actions of the character and produce more lifelike performances.

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Closely related to Method, the Meisner technique requires that the actor focus totally on the other actor as if they are real right at that moment. This close interaction allows the two to bounce reactions off of one another as if each response is more tangible and believable to the audience.

Acting in and of itself is a feat of truly extraordinary artistry that can be approached in innumerable ways. Each performance has its own unique whirlwind of opportunities, and each performer can approach their scenes from as many directions as they see fit. The most important thing is that the audience, above all else, stops noticing scenes and become immersed in the experience. This is when you know someone on that stage or screen has done their homework.

Preparing to Don your Acting Mask

So the moment has come when the role you’ve been desperately trying to land is finally sitting right in your lap. After what feels like countless auditions, readings and re-readings, and screen tests, you’ve been given the green light! So what now? What should you be doing to nail this role and turn such an opportunity into the launching pad you have always waited for? Firstly, you need to buckle down and learn as much as you can about this character, because the only way you are going to make a truly unforgettable impression on the audience is through a complete transformation that overshadows you, the actor, and gives way to your newly developed persona.

You must get into the head of this character. Where are they from, where are they now, and where are they going? How does this affect the decisions they make in everyday life? What do they want, and at what lengths will they go to get it (however extreme)? You want to get to the barebones of this person, so learn his/her family background, age, social status, upbringing, sexuality, fears, and how fine of a line separates their desires from their needs.

Many actors go through months of preparation prior to taking on a new role. Some go above and beyond to ensure the transformation is so convincing you forget you are watching an interpretation: You are 100% invested in this character, consumed with wanting to know how they impact the overall story.

Getting into the belly of the beast, so to speak, will get you closer to better understanding the psyche that influences any character’s actions. If you are portraying a cop, for instance, talk to a real-life police officer about what the public assumes and what actually entails trying to protect them. Going out and having real-life experiences described to you by surgeons, janitors, teachers, auto mechanics, mayors, drug addicts, social workers, and even criminals is invaluable information when trying to better understand worlds we have no comprehension of.

No matter the role, if you can pick the brain of someone who can relate to the eccentricities of your character and the uniqueness behind such unfamiliar waters, you are a privileged fly-on-the-wall with knowledge and insight your audience trusts is authentic. And not you the actor: You, the character.

The ability to adapt to new values, morals, interests, wants, and needs foreign as ever to your own personal constitution is no easy task, but the life of a chameleon demands such adaptability, and once the craft is mastered who knows what reflection awaits you once it’s no longer work but sheer passion running the show.