h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Many moons ago, back when I was full of dreams and had stars in my eyes, I was part of the inception of a wonderful movement... The Canadian Improv Games.

I was part of "Stage Fright", a team of six, and the first high school improv team in Canada. Our coach was a certain Second City alumnus, SCTV regular, the creator of the Canadian Improv Games, and "somebody" in the acting world.

After nearly two years doing improv with "Stage Fright" (with Jamie Wylie as my partner) the namesake for the Second-place trophy in the Can. Improv Games, I developed real stage fright, went off to college and left theatre and improv behind. Unfortunately, the contribution of Stage Fright appears to have been left out of the history of the Canadian Improv Games as the games didn't become "official" until the year after Our team competed against the only other high-school team, at the Homemade Theatre in Toronto in 1977 (We didn't win, to the ire of our coach who pointed out an error in the judging. As he pointed out to the judges, he came up with the rules, so he ought to know what they were... to no avail. Oh well).

Part of the reason for my developing stage fright )the condition, not the team) was I believe that I was painfully shy before going into theatre and had zero confidence in my abilities in everything, especially on stage.

A few weeks ago, a friend from our Fellowship mentioned that her daughter was competing in the Improv Games this weekend. I told her about my having been part of the Games at their inception and how much my mentor and coach meant to me....

Imagine my surprise when I received an email from my friend this evening relating to me that she had been to the Games and that my mentor was there, speaking prior to the games. He referred to himself as the "Old Man Improv". At the intermission, my friend went up and introduced herself and mentioned my name. I wouldn't expect that, after 27 years he would remember me. Apparently, however, he did and said something about me which overwhelms me, awes me, and leaves me feeling terribly honored.

I won't say what it was because I know he meant it for her to pass along to me personally.....

I just want to say to Howard, wherever he is, "Thank you. It has taken me all my life to find my worth and to have your words in my heart means so very, very much to me. I am honored."

Just replied to your email. So, still glowing?


az

Well, a little update....

I emailed the headquarters of the Canadian Improv Games to see if there was a way of contacting Howard. Imagine my surprise when I found an email from Jamie, my partner in Stage Fright!

He gave me Howard's phone number. I called, but he was out. I'll have to try later.