IMFourPlay

Keith Dickerson returns to his station behind the drum kit for this second installment of FourPlay: The (Improvised) Musical, after delighting audience's last season with his overture antics behind Jim Rhinehart's back! A SAK Comedy Lab mainstay, his work both in the musician pit and in the company trenches helps make this production a reality. As a man of refined taste, I decided to invite Keith to my recently refurbished Alpine villa for some Almas caviar on toast points and a little cup of kopi luwak "java." The conversation, I hoped, would be as elegant and refined as the surroundings...

Current favorite musical: Hedwig & the Angry Inch or Dancer in the Dark (2000 musical/drama starring Bjork)
Current favorite improv game: 99 Jokes or Lounge Lizards

DC: Keith, while you’re serving in this production of FourPlay as our percussionist, literally providing the pulse of the show, that’s only the tip of the iceberg in terms of your position at SAK. Tell us a little about what you do behind the scenes.

KD: Thanks, David. Where do I start? My SAK business card says I’m the Director of Event Sales and Marketing. This means that my day job is booking all of SAK Comedy Lab’s off-site performances. We get called on to perform for a lot of corporations and private events, so I’m the one that people call when they want to book SAK. I also have a hand in marketing and promotions for the theatre, and I’m a member of the SAK mainstage cast. I also take long naps on the green room couches when no one else is around. Speaking of couches, your readers should know that your living room décor is well, amazing! I’ve never seen so much Louis XIV furniture outside of Versailles. And the chandelier in the kitchen is beautiful.

DC: Thank you - you're too kind! You'd be surprised what a teacher's salary can buy these days. You’re also a teacher with SAK University after going through the training here yourself several years ago (if I’m not mistaken). What is it that draws you to the improv classroom?

KD: I love teaching improv because I get so much out of it. It’s a great feeling when you get an idea across in a class or workshop and then see it applied onstage. You think, “Hey, this stuff really works!” Plus I always learn something from my students… or other people’s students! (Laughing) Darn! Sorry about that, I spilled the coffee. Go to the next question, I’m just getting something to clean this up.

DC: Don't worry about the cup of kopi luwak. There's plenty where that came from... We discovered several years ago that we have a Louisiana connection. While I was studying and teaching at LSU in Baton Rouge, you were working with an improv troupe in New Orleans that I had heard good things about. Describe your days working with your troupe, Without Annette. With everything that’s happened in that region over the last year, is your former troupe still going strong?

KD: Thanks for asking. They are up and running, but they were treading water for a few days after the storm. I have two great friends and colleagues in New Orleans who took over for me there when I was invited to join SAK full-time. The name has changed to the National Comedy Company and they’re playing in some new venues after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the club that had been the group’s home for two years. But they are a great bunch of improvisers – and they still have some of the original members from when we started the group... This stain isn’t coming out. Say, are these couches Scotchguarded? You know, you should really get Scotchguarding. Wait, I think I’ve got something in my car that will work. Next question!

DC: No seriously, it'll be fine. You needn't worry... I have met few people with a more extensive and seemingly random music collection. It would probably be a futile question to ask you your favorite musical artist, so instead I’ll ask what were the last three cds you played in your truck on the way to work this week.

KD: How about the last three cds I loaded into my NEW CELL PHONE WITH I-TUNES!

DC: That shows you just how behind the times I am! Sure, tell me what you "loaded" into this "I-Tunes" phone of which you "speak"...

KD: That would be the New Pornographers – Electric Version; Susan Cowsill – Just Believe It; and the Malcolm X Soundtrack. I don’t know if that’s as extensive and random as you were hoping for, but there you go! And I’m really sorry about the couch. I didn’t think this stain remover would damage the upholstery like this. Wow, it’s just coming right up in my hands. I should have listened to you and just left it for your manservant, Otto.

DC: Please leave, and never return again... Otto! Otto!!!

To find out more about Keith, go here.