Improvisation: noun: the art or act of improvising, or of composing, uttering, executing, or arranging anything without previous preparation. (Musical improvisation involves imagination and creativity.)
So, we got through our very first Detective’s Comedy Mystery Dinner event a couple of weeks ago and let’s just say, it wasn’t without a good bit of improvisation. And, I’m not talking about just the actors either; I’m talking about the whole event.
Oh, we had a plan and we prepared. I can’t stress this enough. We had a plan. And we prepared. We had this:
Easy peasy, right? Right. Except for all of the things we didn’t plan for. We failed to plan for the unexpected and therefore, things didn’t go quite according to the well-thought-out plan. Here’s sort of how we got through the evening:
Now, it wasn’t a disaster and the guests had a really good time, thanks in large part to the gifted cast of improv actors. Here they are doing their thing:
Original photo by B. Logue, Sept. 2016
Original photo by B. Logue, Sept. 2016
Original photo by B. Logue, Sept. 2016
And here are some of the guests, doing their thing:
Original photo by B. Logue, Sept. 2016
Original photo by B. Logue, Sept. 2016
Original photo by B. Logue, Sept. 2016
Original photo by B. Logue, Sept. 2016
Despite the improvisation, we learned how to improve next time. Next time being October 28, 2016, an event that is already almost sold out!
The main thing we learned is that we need help. Lots of help. We worked our butts off and we pulled it off, but we are definitely hiring help for next time. The blur in the background of the photo below is sort of how the entire evening went for me.
We learned that we need to update our credit card processing procedures in order to properly handle the types of transactions necessary to have an event like this. This will happen in the next couple of weeks. Note to you dear readers: not all credit card processing machines are equal.
We learned that we do not need to make as much food as we made the last time. We had LOTS of leftovers and way too much waste. We shall scale back.
We learned that people are forgiving. Despite our bumbling and fumbling at the last event, we received lots and lots of positive feedback and one couple even booked a return visit for our December show. Yay!!
So, that’s the wrap up for our first Detectives Dinner show. Was it a success? I think so. Can we do better? Definitely. Will we improve? Absolutely.
How about your lovely followers of my blog – are you good at improvising? Do you have any secrets or tips for keeping it all together when things go sideways? Do you admit when you need help?
Word of the day: haplography
Fun fact about me: I thank my many years of melodrama theater experience for preventing that night from being a disaster. Well, that and a calm demeanor.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, October 2016. Photos by B. Logue and Google images.
jansenschmidt 
I think improvisation is my middle name. I’m not a planner. I just start in and muddle through. My books are a prime example. I have a vague overall idea when I get started, but beyond that, each word is pretty much pulled out of my – well, improvised.
My wife is definitely a planner. She carefully plans everything – then halfway through the execution of her plan, a random thought occurs to her, and she chases a rabbit off to the side, abandoning her carefully derived plan. I think my improvisation is at least as effective as her planning.
By the way, I told her the other day that the next time we go to visit my cousin in Atlanta we’re spending the night at Baer House.
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Well yee haw – it’s time to visit your cousin in Atlanta!
I’m pretty good at improvising, too. In fact, that’s how I write as well. I have ideas, but then, when things go sideways, and I just . . . well . . . improvise. I go with it.
Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Sounds like you and your wife are a good team. She does the planning and the straying and then you do your improv thing and it all works out.
Patricia
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I am better at improvisation than planning. It sounds like you had quite a wonderful event at the Baer House, the beginning of a new tradition? Sounds like fun. As for advice when all is going awry, I defer to A. Burr from Hamilton…”talk less, smile more.” A smile will diffuse almost anything, almost. Have a wonderful week.
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A smile and a positive “can do” attitude. I try to keep both handy.
It’s funny how some people are planners and others are not. Seems like folks are either one or the other. I think I’m sort of in the middle, but, I think I’m probably more of a planner. Except when it comes to my writing. Then, I just write whatever comes out and hope it makes sense.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day.
Patricia
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Having a great day – dragging my feet by a sunny lake, planning to leave at 4pm, but will need to improvise!
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Sounds like a fun (and busy) time! And that’s great that you rolled with the punches instead of stressing out…that sort of attitude is infectious. I can do improv if I’m seriously relaxed (you know, after a glass of wine or three), otherwise, count me out. If my plan falls out from under me, I need recovery time to regain my balance…unless that wine’s in play. Then, I’m already unsteady, so it’s okay. 🙂 Have a great week!
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I know what you mean about the wine. Keep it handy. I do plan, sometimes I over plan, but I can usually just roll with it if the plans falls apart. You’ve got to be a quick thinker thought. Otherwise, who knows what’ll happen.
As always, thanks for stopping by on a busy Monday. Have a great week.
Patricia
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I’m not very good at improvising. Then again, I can’t imagine putting on an event like that–just hosting a family dinner is a lot for me! Props to you for making it work, and well enough to get that good feedback!
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Thanks Jennette. It was a little daunting, but we made it work somehow. Basically, we just ran out of hours in the day and everything happened all at once. Next time we’ll know to start a little earlier and not try to do so much.
See, live and learn. At least we’re learning right?
Have a fantastic week.
Patricia
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What doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger! You survived. People had fun anyway. Well done!
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Yes, Patricia, we survived. And, we’re going to do it all over again. Are we crazy? Perhaps.
I hope things will be a little smoother this time around. We’ve simplified the menu for one thing, so less time in the kitchen and less prep time. It should be another fun night.
Thanks for your support. I’m looking forward to my little cyber visit to France on Friday.
Patricia
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I don’t have it in me to get up and perform, but I am so impressed with you for doing this. You have the talent and experience for it, Patricia. I wish you lots of good luck with future events.
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Aww, thanks. You are so sweet. We are trying all kinds of brave new things here at the Inn. Some are working, others, not so much. But, we’re trying and we’re being as active as we can be in the community so people are starting to know us. That may be a blessing or a curse. Only time will tell.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such positive, kind thoughts. Enjoy those fall colors up there.
Patricia
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