Second Beats
“‘Yes And’” was the theme of our wedding (in 2000). FER REAL,” reveals Lulu French. Her improv relationship with Gotham City Improv’s Brad Barton has been so successful that they “yes, anded their way to being parents of a four year old who eats up all our spare time.” They met while taking classes at Gotham City Improv in 1997, Brad had his bachelor party there, and it was where, years later, Lulu broke the news that she was pregnant.
Brad: Early on, improv helped keep us together because it was our thing. We were as passionate about creating improv and sketch comedy as we were about our budding relationship because it was all intertwined. We could read each others’ minds and some of the funniest, most successful improv scenes I’ve ever been in have been with Lulu.
IN: What type of role does Improv play in your relationship?
Lulu: It helps in giving us a shared sense of humor, and isn’t that one of the most important things to have in a relationship? It’s a spiritual connection for us as well. Improv is our religion – be in the moment, yes and, go with the flow, trust, be open, etc.
Brad: Up until last summer when I stepped down from serving as the Artistic/Executive Director of Gotham City Improv, improv as an art form and a business permeated every aspect of our lives. So many amazing moments in our relationship, romantic and professional, took place at the theater over the course of about ten years. One reason I served as an administrator and head cheerleader at Gotham for so long is because I credited the organization for bringing Lulu into my life. Any organization that could introduce me to her was worth any number of headaches, victories, struggles, triumphs on stage, and assorted dramas.
IN: Advice?
Lulu: Figure out what works and stay away from anything that causes too much strife. It’s not worth it. Brad and I can produce a show together, but if we were to try and put up shelves together we would kill each other. We know this about ourselves.
Brad: I agree with Lulu. She’s always correct. She told me so early on.
Brad Barton regularly serves as a host/emcee for corporate events and presentations across the country. Recent clients include Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, and Cephalon. By day, he is a Producer/Associate Creative Director for an interactive company called Blue Telescope. Lulu French can be seen occassionally performing with the short-form show Off the Top of Our Heads at GCI. She also co-teaches with fellow Gothamite Jeff LaGreca through a program called CentreStage, working with 4th and 5th graders in an after-school program that helps them to write and eventually perform a play. Lulu also occasionally teaches improv workshops to students from all over the US through Broadway Classrooms.
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Shawn Wickens and Desiree Nash met at an Improv Jam at The PIT. After being just acquaintances for nearly 3 years they began dating about a year ago.
Shawn: I seem to remember over hearing her tell someone that she wouldn't have been interested in me had she not thought that I was fun to watch on stage, but that's nothing out of the ordinary. You never hear women saying that they like men who look bad in a uniform... to use an analogy.
Desiree: I wouldn't have even noticed him if he wasn't so funny. Is that shallow?
IN: When the two of you are just one-on-one is it a constant struggle to one-up the other in terms of laughter?
Desiree: I never thought that we try to make each other laugh. We just do. As improvisers, we are inadvertently riffing on something and heightening. We don’t compete, but sometimes I will surrender and say, "Yours was better!"
IN: Have you ever had an Improv Related/Comedy Argument?
Desiree: Shawn won't admit that he's full-on jealous of how much funnier I am than him, but I can see the sparkle in his eye.
IN: Any advice for readers who may also be in a love/working relationship?
Shawn: Think strategically. When she wants to watch Roger Rabbit pretend to make a big deal about how you don't want to… but eventually give in. That way, you'll have an easier time later on convincing her to watch Road Warrior.
Desiree Nash is working on several projects that don't include Shawn at all. She hosts a variety show once a month (Desiree's All You Can Laff Yuk Yuk Buffet) and is in a house team that performs every week at the PIT (Punch). She also keeps busy performing in an improv duo with her friend Keith Huang (Crosby, Huang and Nash) and a musical improv group (Deathbed). Shawn Wickens of Afternoon Playland is working on a play about the end of the world in 2012 for the Brick Theater's summer plays festival. He also performs regularly with Junior Varsity at the Magnet, and directs a show that runs periodically.
Written By: Shannon Walker
