Carry On

Something I've learned about sketch comedy compared to improv is (as you would guess) that there is more equipment involved. Each of the past three weeks, I have had to read through scripts and identify props and costume pieces that my sketch needed or that I could contribute to someone else's. I have then had to obtain many of those things, and then dump it all into a duffel bag which I then had to bring down to the theater from my place.

For me this is a slightly more onerous task than it is for others, since I have to do this using public transportation. God knows I wouldn't make an issue of it being a difficult thing to do, since I'm able to do it. I'm a man of slight build, but adequate brawn to carry what amounts to a fair sized bag of dog food. I just loop the strap over my shoulder and I could carry that for miles. It could only be more manageable if I had my hiking backpack.

Hard to carry the bag is not, but odd it is. I worry often about police stopping me and insisting on seeing inside it. A major contribution I have made on a weekly basis is providing prop guns for all sketches that have needed them. As real as they look at a glance, I rather imagine facing some harsh treatment from police until the matter could be straightened out. At least I have not had to carry dismembered mannequin parts in addition, though we've used those.

Last night was I think the second time I got home and discovered deep purple bruises on my hip from carrying a bag bulging with hard, angular items between one and two miles altogether. I was more amused than anything, although sleeping on my side was a little tougher, as was sleeping on my back. That, along with my room constantly looking like it's been robbed  due to me looking for props, makes this a challenging aspect of sketch comedy, but I do love it.