Are you open to roam?. . . .

. . . .over memories you don’t usually explore,
attitudes you don’t frequently share,
a skill like story-telling you don’t often use,
releases you don’t regularly open,
a poem you’ve never improvised.

Our collection of Life-Play phone games reveals opinions and feelings
you may not even be aware of.

So, welcome! self-discovery.

You are moving under your own state of amazement.
The only other person to see you shape a new you is your game partner:
this morning she’s an old friend in Beijing
or at midnight your carefully chosen next door neighbor.

Long distance is no obstacle today. Go for It!

Declare yourself open to roam every day from 8am to 9 AM;
from 10pm to 10:30 PM
or Sunday afternoon?
Sipping a beer? Nibbling? Make it fun:
Using cordless, barge around the spaces
through which you play:
breathe, pout, smile, curve, stamp.

Clap–

Learn to play brand new games.

Play daily.

Hello, you’re now in partnership with yourself.

You’re opening yourself to your vision of self–
today or tomorrow. Welcome aboard.

Welcome to your select tomorrow.

David Shepherd, my friend and co-founder of Life-Play, turns 85 today. An improv celebration began early this morning in Belchertown—David’s marathon birthday wish for 24/7 improv and play. I can only hope that I’m half as playful when I’m David’s age!

David, it’s been wonderful to get to know you over the past eighteen months and become close friends. I’ve learned immensely from your creative instincts and your honest play. Thank you for sharing lessons from a your lifetime of play.

May your birthday wishes come true! May Life-Play be shared with the wider world and grow with evolving adventures. This morning, testing a new adventure with you, called Dream, I was reminded of a book I read I as a child, Grandfather Twilight.

You’re the theatrical grandfather I never had.

Thank you, David!

Happy Birthday!

Please join us at Life-Play in wishing David a Happy Birthday and check back for updates of the playful Birthday festivities!

Update:

By Carman Dewees

Let’s dedicate Life-Play to the memory of Bill Griffin, who sadly passed away September 22, 2007. Bill was the leader of Yes And Practice  group (YAP) in greater Boston, designed to help beginner improvisers—really anyone with an interest in improvisation. It was an open space to play each week.

I met Bill Griffin through Chris Britt in the summer of 2006. Bill was larger than life—always full of excitement for all things improv. On top of his busy software sales job, he organized YAP practice sessions at the MIT buildings. And when YAP lost its regular space, he found a new location in Davis Square. Every Sunday afternoon, he was thrilled that each of us had made it. He loved watching improvisers grow and he always played along with us.

Bill, you inspired people more than you can know. You left us too early. Thank you for your example of doing something for the love of it. You welcomed everyone and helped many people take small but significant creative steps. Your excitement was infectious! You’re in our hearts, and your spirit is a big part of Life-Play!

In the comments section, please share the story of your friendship with Bill Griffin…

Neil Alers plays the Life-Play game, Week that Was. Music: “Thousands and thousands” by Kukkiva Kunnas (licensed under Creative Commons). Produced by Carman Dewees. Photo: Santafesweets (CC)

Carman Dewees plays the Life-Play game, I See. Music: “Maitri” by Spheriot (licensed under Creative Commons). Produced by Carman Dewees.

Life-Play^TM has reason to celebrate: our Main Game guidelines have never been cleaner–thanks to Carman’s scrub of the guidelines. Carman recently instituted Tuesday night Life-Play^TM Conference Call, to learn and play games. If you’re interested, send him an e-mail at: carman [at] life-play [dot] com

David’s in Toronto for a friend’s giant birthday party–from the 14th to the 18th! Chris Britt is preparing a Life-Play^TM animated video for our upcoming premiere at Boston Improv Festival on Sunday, September 13, 2009. Save the date. If you’d like to get involved with the event, feel free to contact Chris at: chris [at] chrisbritt [dot] com.

We’re now piecing together a Life-Play^TM Book. Thanks to Michael Golding for offering a piece about teaching and playing Life-Play^TM with at-risk teens in LA. We are excited about essays being written by Aimee, Ana Maria, Neil and others.

Over the past year, many friends have tested our Main Games. Please accept our humble thanks: Connie, Michelle, Scot, Eli, Rosemary, Maria, Devon, Nancy, Laurie,  Dan, Andrea, Charity, Kerstina, Bob and many more. Today, our Main Games are clear and intuitive!  Every tiny discovery we made has helped us engage more deeply and to share the games with new players. Watch us grow and grow with us.