It's been about a month now since I arrived back in Miami and got started on the crazy ride of opening my own Theater company with trusted friend Peter Mir. People kept telling me how stressful all this would be and how you have to do all "not fun" parts of running a business but I just haven't found it to be true. With every new contact we make, new student that signs up for class, new venue we get for shows, every new problem we solve, and just every new accomplishment we have I get more and more excited. I love the victories on and off the stage and that is what makes Villain Theater so exciting to be a part of.
On the personal side I arrived here in Miami and was living out of bags on my older brother Willy's couch. I have no car so that has been a challenge, especially since he lived all the way on North Beach. There are so many benefits though to being there that really welcomed me back home in a big way. We watched so many movies together that I am completely caught up on everything ever from American Sniper to Night Crawler. I started learning and practicing the martial art of Wing Chun (My brother is a huge tactical martial arts enthusiast). Its cool seeing how different types of disciplines have very similar ideologies and practices to form a different result. For my brother its to defend himself in combat and for me its to pretend to be a shitty lawyer named Barnes Foklore.
While living on the beach I also got to do something that I missed a lot and that was actually going to the beach. Getting some sun and being in the water is just part of what makes Miami so great. As I told everyone in Chicago before I left, just being here I have already lost 7 pounds and feel a lot better. Lifestyle here is just different and people around you are constantly the most attractive people you've ever seen. Even ugly things look pretty in Miami from buildings to alligators. Being on the beach also reminded me of the sweltering heat there is here but I love it. I always have preferred to be too hot then too cold. There is something that is great about sweating that just makes you awesome. The most obvious part of it being that its your bodies way of letting out toxins and other shit. My skin is repairing itself from being so dry up in the Mid West and that is a victory in itself.
My brother was wonderful and cooked breakfast and dinner every night while making sure I didn't go insane as I struggled to get everything going. Not having a car here leaves you at everyone's whim and I am someone that truly enjoys my activities and freedom. I have been surviving with very little as I am used to doing. Money is coming in but it goes right back out for the business. That is the way start ups are and I knew this going in. I should be able to afford getting in on a very cheap car soon and that will be great. At this point I don't care what I am driving as long as I can get around.
I have taken steps towards eating better as I want to get more healthy and lose a bunch of weight. I am at 315 right now but Im going to work hard to get down to 230 which would be a whopping 85 pounds. That is like losing a whole other person. Its a lofty goal but I've got a lot of help from family and Peter to keep me on the path of eating well and exercising more.
I have reconnected with people all over the improv community including Cage Free Humans, Miamah Comedy, Improv South Miami, Just The Funny, Old Impromedy Friends, Sick Puppies, Business Casual, Hailo Kitty, Chasing Tales, 4 X 4 Improv, Mod 27, Uprov, Special In A Bad Way, Comedy School Dropouts, and plenty more. Its cool to see how many new faces there are and great to see the old school folks still kickin it. The community is bigger now and I think the presence of Micro Theater as a venue for all the groups to get together is awesome. In Miami there was way too much division before and having an outlet like Micro makes it so everyone meets each other and hangs out more while doing different kinds of work from their own bubbles of comedy. If you haven't checked out Dynamic Night at Micro Theater Miami you really should. Every Wednesday at 8pm, $5 per show, you can't lose.
Finally I moved to my little brothers (Chris) place recently, he just got into a new house and was kind enough to let me crash in an extra room he has for the next couple of months. Its been nice to have my own space and unpack my bags finally. Small victories like being able to hang up your clothes, leave your bed in one spot made, connect your computer, and have a door that you can close have been gifts from above. I live a very minimalist life style so every bit of comfort is huge to me. I really think its why I love improv so much, I have never needed a lot. I only need the next moment and living moment to moment makes it so I never get stressed out or have anxiety issues. I am just focused on now and building to whats next. So far everything is working out great and I know money will come and a car will happen too. Its all just about working hard and keeping everything positive which are both my specialty.
Can't wait to start teaching this weekend. Its going to be amazing. I love doing it and bringing a curriculum that I feel will really make people grow and get better. Its my favorite thing in the world. I'll bring the tough love and I can't wait to see this group become closer for the next 8 weeks and really rock it out in their class show. Everything is full steam ahead. Villain Theater is Making its Mark on Miami and so am I. ;-)
Jeff Quintana
Artistic Director
Villain Theater
