This time of year my thoughts always return to Martin, one of my theater professors at Columbia, who passed away eleven years ago. While he easily could have indulged self-importance as the Artistic Director of The Second City, Martin instead oozed with humility and wild acceptance, personally welcoming me with open arms (literally) in the Fall of 1996, introducing me to my eventual improv-comedy teachers: Mick Napier, Norm Holly, Anne Libera, Jim Zulevic, and Tina Fey.
Martin was a close friend and mentor who bought this poor college kid lunch, drove me to the hospital when I was sick with the flu, and stood beside me as a groomsman at our wedding.
He once surprised Amber and I on a wintry Windy City evening with ice cream at a hole-in-the-wall diner, mixing his improv-philosophies with silly humor and engaging stories of Chicago-lore. "You know," he whispered to us with a twinkle in his eye, "This booth we're sitting in right now is where The Beatles used to hang out after their shows!"
The effect Martin had in shaping my work as a communicator and leader is immeasurable. Here are some of his leadership quotes that continue to shape my thinking and approach to ministry:
"You can get the biggest laugh in a scene simply by saying 'ahem' - it's all about context."
"You are pure potential!"
"The Hokey Pokey. Think about it. At the end of the song, what do we learn?
What is it all about? You put your whole self in!"
"You know what intimacy is? It's into-me-you-see.""Always in life surround yourself with people who make you happy. Life is short and you will be surprised how much better your life is if you just stop hanging out with the jerks we are all drawn towards."
"The fun is always on the other side of a yes."
"Do you have the right to call yourself an artist? The moment you manifested enough courage to enroll in your class you jumped off that cliff. You have no choice but to keep your wings flapping."
"You have the right to follow your dreams.
I'm giving you permission to follow your dreams."
He sounds like he was a pretty awesome guy.
Posted by: Jamie Wilson | Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 09:22 AM