My Summer Crush @ Arts Court

My Downtown Rideau Summer Fling continued yesterday as I had the opportunity to check out My Summer Crush at Arts Court, a weekly improv show by the members of Crush Improv. For anyone who’s seen them perform their weekly gig at the Cajun Attic, the contents of the show followed pretty much the same format, but boasted a larger line up of both Crush’s anchor players, and a number of new, up and coming improvisers who I had not seen before. Last night the studio was packed, the audience lively, the show was fast paced and hilarious, and it might just be the best value for your entertainment dollar of the Summer Fling series at 12 bucks a ticket. (Especially last night, as they played a bonus 20 minute set after the show to celebrate Cari Leslie’s birthday, herself a member of Crush, but who had turned up late to the show having been performing that evening  in A Company of Fools production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, (which coincidentally is on my agenda for this very evening if the weather holds up)).  Heads up though, you only have 3 more chances to catch My Summer Crush, August 3, 24, and 28.

It was only by happenstance that I managed to make it out as I hadn’t actually been planning to catch the show last night, and in fact had already resigned myself to missing My Summer Crush altogether. Between rehearsals for my upcoming show which would have conflicted with the show for the rest of the run, and the fact that I’d been planning to catch another Improv show last night (Crystal Basement at the Atomic Rooster on the last Tuesday of each month, which is equally as brilliant and funny, (not to mention absolutely free) which I also highly recommend checking out at some point). But as it turns out, Arts Court needed somebody last minute to tend bar for the event, so when I got a the call earlier in the day, of course I jumped at the chance.

I’d recently done some volunteering at Arts Court, working with Pierre Ducharme, the Assistant TD to assist in repairing and rewiring some old lighting instruments to get them back into inventory. It’s been a great experience and I’ve learned a lot from Pierre about electricity, basic wiring and lighting in general, he really knows his stuff and he’s a great teacher. And I’ve also had the opportunity to work the odd shift here and there at Arts Court over the last few months, doing anything from painting floors, to striking seating and risers, to restoring the house plot, and I’ve really enjoyed the various opportunities and the people I’ve met and worked with there. I hope to have more such opportunities in the future, and my new foray into the world of bar tending may just be another such avenue.

As far as serving goes, I’d gotten my SmartServ certification late last year as part of another volunteering effort, with Orpheus Musical Theatre Society. Every Friday night and for special occasions, Orpheus has a tradition of opening the bar at it’s rehearsal space, and each year they ask for volunteers to man the bar. Given they’ll pay for your Smartserv it seemed like a no-brainer, and given how many times I’ve availed myself of the bar service there, it only seemed right to volunteer and give something back.

And so, last night it would seem, the sum of my past volunteering paid dividends. Not only did I get an opportunity to see the show for free from behind the bar, but I’ll end up getting  paid to have worked my shift there (I’d expected it was going to be a volunteer shift when I’d agreed to do it, so that was a nice surprise), and if that wasn’t enough, everyone in attendance felt strangely compelled to give me part of their change every time they bought something, basically just for me doing my job. ( Did I mention it’s the first time I’ve ever worked for tips? It was a cool but weird experience that I’m sure as a server you get used to and start taking for granted really quickly, but for me it was just an unexpected bonus. As I contemplate a career in the arts, lets be realistic, I’m pretty sure I’ll be working for tips again somewhere sooner than later I think. )

So in the end, here’s just one example of how volunteering, it seems, isn’t only just a nice thing to do, it can also be a smart thing to do It’s a way, not only to help out great organizations and causes that could use the help, but it’s also a great way to get valuable experience, make new friends and contacts and prove yourself worthy of more responsibility.  And there’s certainly no shortage of opportunity to volunteer in the arts.

So what are you waiting for?

~ by oberholzert on July 28, 2010.