… Ok not quite, but yours truly will at least become a director of The Second City National Touring Company this summer!
Technically I’ll be co-directing with current maestress Melody Johnson—she’ll be in charge of the “best of” show going up in June, then (as is my understanding) I’ll be taking the helm for two more shows in September.
One of them will be a dysfunctional family-themed revue, which I think I can handle…
AC:
I never knew you were such a hard-driving teacher! Poor kids must have ripped it all down with their bare hands! What exactly do you say to them?
Ed
I actually didn’t say anything to them—just cut one of their scenes…
For the next week and a bit this post is the first thing you’re gonna see each and every time you load up my humble site, only to remind you of course, about my Conservatory Class’s Grad Show at 2pm on Saturday April 2nd.
For more info check out our fabulous show poster!
Just read your piece in NOW and could recognize myself in several of the scenarios. I’ll get out of The Circle of Shame just as soon as I check this Spanish email…kidding.
Tracey 
p.s. How do I find the Imac tutorial again…?
Hey, you blew your own cover! Guess this isn’t the best time to mention that you posted your comment to the wrong article…
Awww, NUTS!
Nice article, but the photo makes the world think you’re an Asian dude!
Apologies to Matt Baram…
I was up at 4am this past Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to be in the north end of Toronto for my part in a three-hour customer service workshop for the frontline employees of a major Canadian bank, an event played out twice daily in 41 locations across the country, making it the biggest corporate gig for The Toronto Second City ever.
Having signed a non-disclosure agreement before the gig there is much I can’t tell you. Here’s what I can:
There were two manager-types (plus a backup) handling the first two hours of the presentation and workshop before turning things over to yours truly. They were friendly folks and complimentary of my work; I found it especially cute that they asked me for pointers in public speaking.
Thursday morning’s session was kicked off by the bank’s number two exec, who came early to greet the participants as they arrived. For those employees who knew who this guy was, I think they were a bit freaked out to have him as the first they saw when they walked in the room. And it didn’t help that the exec was more than a bit awkward with his greetings, sticking his palm out to shake hands while his shell-shocked tellers were still struggling to remove their coats.
And my other facilitators were star-struck to the point where their smalltalk with the exec was absolutely painful to hear and watch. So I started chatting with the guy about anything at all, and before you know it he was telling me about a dinner he was having with his dad that night.
The exec sat beside me for the first part of the workshop, then gave me a sincere farewell when he had to duck out. One thing, though—and this applies to anybody I share a good-bye with: When you shake my hand please don’t wink; it really creeps me out!
My other insight into the world of banking was this: bank tellers are human beings too, and they get just as anxious as you do when there are long line-ups at your branch. In most cases they’re doing the best they can, so give ‘em a break when it’s your turn at the counter, okay?
AC:
The tellers I deal with are always professional, advising me on new things at the bank and dispensing cash with efficiency 24 hours a day. Oh, and sometimes I do go inside the bank and talk to the people, but they charge me $2 for the privilege….
Ed
After a slew of audience complaints like this one put an end to our five-year run of New Year’s Eve shows at The Second City, Paul Bates and Doug Morency—otherwise known as The Williamson Playboys—graciously offered to have Al Howell and I on the bill for their own ”Cheaper Show”.
Tickets are $20 for the 8pm curtain, and $35 for the 10:30pm show, including tickets to party afterwards. A highlight for me will be the recreation of last year’s audience booing comedian Boyd Banks off the stage.
So if you can’t dance or don’t want to look your significant other in the eye, come on down!
Jenn is discussing. 
Jenn 10:41 PM on May 13, 2005 Permalink |
Congrats! I look forward to seeing the new show. Granted, I was looking forward to it anyway, but whatever ^_^
King Kev 5:10 PM on May 16, 2005 Permalink |
No way!