In the time of feminists… 40 years later

One day after this video of Pat speaking about Feminism in the 80s was posted onYouTube, a viewer [Interdimentional Wizard Wiz] posted a comment, that gives one pause at the poetic pain he endures… until he replies to his own post with "How sad for humanity.".
Indeed, Interdimentional Wizard Wiz, indeed.

It became illegal to discriminate on the grounds of gender in 1974 in the UK.Well done!Now feminism simply teaches that men have never loved women...and have only ever oppressed them.There is no deeper cut to the soul and heart of man.But it is not for man to advise woman to love.... or to have seen his love.That is for woman to choose.and so, men silently withdraw... and give space for woman to decide if she chooses to keep her mate, her companion since the beginning...... or if this was meaningless to her.Adam has withdrawn to the hills..... with a tent... a motorcycle... a van...or simply video games .....the first decade was hard and lonley...... but now after another decade or so... the sparkles on the water... and the twinkles of the stars are where his love swirls.... in the flowers and the dew.... in the weeping tears... rolling down his cheeks....but women appears to want the world to herself now.... and the love men had for women was not what she wanted.                                                                  perhaps that star over there .......... is where a few friends will come.

Jumping through all the proper hoops

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The National Improv Network site curated by Nick Armstrong and Bill Binder since 2013. Their vision: Everyone knows what excellent improv is and wants to see it. Every performer has the opportunity to be treated as a professional artist.

Femprov's bio from our Troupe page 
Now eligible for instant submission to Festivals. 
Femprov, the original all female improv group based in San Francisco, trail-blazed for the better part of a decade performing innovative improv and making the way a bit easier for comediennes that were to follow. Femprov, was not a feminist group. Femprov had no political agendas. Simply a group of talented improv players willing to apply the 'trust and support' principle to its greatest extent. 
What resulted was a ten year run in comedy clubs, City events, and theatrical venues in San Francisco, the Bay Area, and LA. Femprov performed improvised musical theater paradises, lounge lizard dedications, interactive video pieces, original games, and games originating from improv history. 
The original Femprov-ets launched its' members into careers in radio, TV, motivational speaking, sports announcing for the Giants, character-based musical parody, international improv gigs, performances, and workshops, video experimentation, web-site and graphic design, teaching improvisational techniques to children and adults with special needs, and corporate team-building, not to mention, spawning two winning contestants in the first and second annual Miss Haight Ashbury Beauty Pageant sponsored by The Other Cafe. 
Femprov was honored with a special Cabaret Gold Award and the All Gold Comedy Award. They were also chosen to perform in the California Lottery Kick-Off Event in San Francisco as human lotto balls. Femprov was the first improv troupe to perform at Comedy Day In The Park. They also worked with a construction manager to design the stage and transform Cobb's Pub from a local bar to a very successful Comedy Club. Femprov often shared their stage with invited guest improvisers including Robin Williams who loved to workout with the troupe. Femprov performed most recently at the SF Improv Festival celebrating Barbara Scott's OCIC Award. 
The members of Femprov remain forever connected with precious memories that established their well-deserved place in San Francisco's comedy history.

I did not correct Terry's misspelling of parodies, as I enjoy the idea that we 'improvised musical theater paradises'.

When Women Weren't Funny…

Proposed cover for interactive book

On the heels of converting analog photographs (from original negatives), newspaper reviews and press, and all manner of Femprov ephemera into 21st century digital versions, it seems logical to  honor the collection with a new-fangled interactive iBook. The process is ongoing and this blog works as a gathering place for our dear gaggle of gals to hash out the facts, aggregate the memories, celebrate accomplishments, illuminate the times for those less fortunate to have lived through that wild and wooly frontier. The outcome from the collective Femprov-mind will inform and build the final publication… and dispel the doom of repeating the past.

Mirth • Music • Memories

Barbara Scott narrates a Femprov slideshow

Old friends showed up to pay respects and play

Other improvisor friends join Femprov to perform Concerto at Denise's Celebration

John Elk directs Concerto

More remembrances from friends and family @
rememberingdenise.blogspot.com

Her laughter always filled the room

Denise Schultz-Sharkey
9/27/1955 - 3/4/2008

There was no better sound than her knowing laugh. The one that let you know she thought whatever you were saying was funny, which coming from her was no faint praise. She knew her funny. The same laugh, which also signaled she knew where you were going with 'it', you could hear coming with her breath, just a nanosecond before the laughter left her throat and hit your ears. She always got the joke, even the feeble or unformed ones. Years of improv had trained her to anticipate it at the threshold, before it dashed through the door and caught you unawares. Actually her talent was inherent. Improv may have honed the quick wit she was blessed with, but her level of skill was certainly natural born. To put an even finer point on it, most of the time, she probably knew the punchline of my stories before I did... and had a capper ready, to plop like a cherry on top! Quite a gracious fit for an improviser, waiting politely for your delivery, so she could counter with her own perfected bon mot. What a thrill she was to work with, what a joy that she was just as giving off stage. Here's the thing, most performers are a bit self-centered & selfish. (a bit?) It's part of the job description. Denise was above all that. Not only did she have funny down cold, but she coaxed the funny out of you in that playful way of hers. She was always up for a little of the old back and forth, the wordplay, even a sarcastic remark or two. (or two?) All in the service of letting the big laughs rip and fill the room. Denise was always my best audience and I flatter myself to think I truly tickled her with my silliness from time to time. I know the music of her giggle, her throaty guffaw, and even the supportive snicker will not fade away soon. I hold them too dear.

- Jeannene Hansen, fellow improviser, friend and cohort

More remembrances from friends and family @

rememberingdenise.blogspot.com