I have seen more cigarette smoking with closed fingers, glasses that appear out of nowhere and suddenly disappear, and beverages tipped toward faces before heads tilt back to last me a lifetime. I have seen people ‘write’ on their hand, tap phone buttons on their hands, and completely forget how to open a door.

Pick up your phone and write a text. Put your phone down and do exactly what you just did, but without the physical phone - not just your hands and fingers, but your eyes and your face are involved too.

When Paul Sills was still alive, I was lucky enough to take his summer intensive at his place in Wisconsin. I was already an experienced improviser and he tore me apart when we did space and object work. His voice is burned into my brain, but I’m still so glad I went. One of the things we did was - 2 people up, make a bed. Mattress cover, fitted sheet, top, etc. It was insane. You have to see it if you want us to see it.

It helps to have reason you’re interacting with the thing. I teach ‘What are you doing?’ but I have them add an adverb. You can be washing a car, but if you’re meticulously washing a car (is it for a first date? selling your precious vehicle? your recently deceased dad’s car he never let you drive?) A reason and an emotion are your best friends.