We talk to Ashley Ward (Baby Wants Candy) about her first memories doing musical improv in our interview with her on #TBT.

Hey Ashley! What is your favorite musical of all time?
All time is probably Little Shop of Horrors. Though Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a close second.

What’s it like performing at Edinburgh? And how did you all decide to submit to the festival and what was that process like?
Performing in Edinburgh is like being at grown up summer camp. The whole place is crawling with all kinds of theater and theater nerds. It’s pretty magical! And Baby Wants Candy (the show I have gone to Edinburgh with 6 times) has an incredible fan base there. The energy when you come on stage is full blown rockstar. When Baby first went to Edinburgh (back in 1998) I wasn’t a member of the troupe. They kind of went on a whim and it turned out great for them right away. At this point the submission process for us is very different than for most troupes because we are a known quantity over there. I’m honestly not even sure what they have to do these days.

Is the new Cats trailer a total abomination to Andrew Lloyd Weber, or a truly just remake that Cats has always deserved?

Ha! I mean no. Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to make a musical out of a bunch of poems with no actual storyline. It is a fever dream/acid trip of a show and the movie seems like it’s going to be pretty much that as well. I think the movie is going to be slightly creepier because we are seeing the cats so large on the screen and I’m concerned about the genital situation. Like if they do have genitals, that’s weird and if they don’t that’s also weird? Kind of a no win either way. (Though for the record I’m team “no genitals”- for the Cats movie only)

Thanks Ashley! If you want to learn musical improv from Ashley Ward, sign up for her workshop here!

Ruby Marez spends most of her time, not at a desk writing, but jotting notes down on her phone in her car (pictured above)!

What thing do you have to have to start writing / working?

Coffee. Probably a common answer but that’s my “go go gadget” writing juice!

What’s your favorite thing in your desk area?

Post it notes and whatever notebook I’m currently writing ideas in! I get inspired a lot and have to write the idea down immediately before I forget it. So I always keep post-it notes and my notebook on my desk area to catch whatever idea flies in!

What was your first solo show called and what’s your favorite line that you wrote from that show?

My first solo show was originally called “Hot Mess! ” which I then changed to “Excessively, Obsessively!” because it was more specific to the struggles of the character in the show.

Hard to pic my most favorite. But one of my favorite lines that I think of frequently, comes when my character goes to an open mic to perform a song she wrote about her O.C.D., and sings the following verse:

DIDJA KNOW A SNEEZE CAN TRAVEL 20 FEET?/

AND THERE’S OVER 90 STRAINS OF HPV.

IS MY NEUROSIS STILL TURNING YOU ON?/

OH MY GOD-I LEFT MY OVEN ON!

Thanks for chatting with us Ruby! And to learn more about Ruby’s class tap here!

They say dress for the job you want. But what does that even mean in this industry? Especially if you’re a writer or producer? We think it means having good sneakers. Here, Rebecca Edwards, Producer of the film El Tonto, shares some of her hot hot tips. Because Rebecca is a sneakerhead.

What’s the hardest part about producing?

The hardest part is staying organized!! There’s so much you have to juggle when you’re producing! I’m constantly writing things down, so that I remember what needs to get done. Also, communication is very important, and can be… difficult at times.

When you’re producing, are you standing up or are you seated in one of those director chairs? And how many clipboards do you own?

I’m usually 50% standing, 50% sitting. You’re on set for so long it’s important to sit when you can. Sadly, most sets have lower, more comfortable folding chairs now, not the traditional directing chairs… which, lets be real was part of the reason I got in the biz, so that’s a bummer. And this will shock everyone who knows me, I own ZERO clipboards.

Two part question – If you’re running around a lot when you’re producing, what’s your favorite sneaker to wear? Second part – I know you as a person. And I know you’re kind of a sneaker head. How many pairs of sneakers do you own?

I’ve never thought of myself as a sneakerhead!! But, since I’ve started working on more sets, it’s important to keep your toes covered and be comfortable, so I have been wearing sneakers, pretty much exclusively for a few years.

My favorite sneaker for work is a Nike Cortez. They are cute, comfortable, and I get a lot of compliments on them. I have 4 pairs of sneakers in my regular rotation… and yeah I just ordered two new pairs. Whatever. BUT! No matter what your footwear of choice, ya got to get some insoles!! You’ll feel old, but they work!!!

A few weeks ago, we found out that they are demolishing our building and turning it into condos starting in December. And so we have to move out by November 30th! Like in 3 months November 30th. Like so so soon.

Turns out, moving costs a lot of money, especially in Los Angeles. We’ve got to get new rent secured, move all of our stuff to a new building, and build our whole new space again.

So, we’ve decided to do a Gofundme. We need to raise $15,000 for our move. If we don’t hit our goal, we won’t be able to move, which means…. we’ll have to close down. Gulp.

It’s going to be hard, but we believe with everyone’s help, we just might make it.

And just in case we actually hit our goal, we’ve got some stretch goals too. All things that will greatly improve our new space like better lights, better mics, and better tech equipment. More resources for our classes. A sauna. Jk it’s WAY too hot for a sauna!

So if you feel inclined to share and donate (your donation is going to charity so it’s 100% tax deductible!!) click below. And thank you – for reading this newsletter, supporting The Ruby LA, and being an all around good person! We love ya Ruby Community!

This week we talk to Nicole Yates, our standup teacher and host of The Ruby Standup Showcase, all about those first awkward and great moments of becoming a stand up. And how to deal with hecklers. Gross.

How long have you been doing stand up and what was the first show you ever did?

In April it will be 10 years that I started doing standup! Wow, time really flies! The first open mic I did was at Laughs On Fairmount in Philly. I remember looking up open mics and picking that one because it was run by 2 women, Carolyn Busa and Mary Radzinski. It was in the back room of a really big bar and of course I blacked out onstage (very common for your first time). I ended up going to that mic for a solid 3 years before it changed hands (and then still after that). Mary and Carolyn ran a great, supportive room and I really miss it.

The first show I ever did was at a bar downtown called Tabu. Alejandro Morales ran a show called Camp Tabu in the upstairs room that was a little standup, a little sketch, a little drag, it was fun! He had seen me at LOF and asked me to be on the show. I had been doing that mic for maybe 3 weeks? It was very scary but once I got onstage my nerves settled. I do believe we all got blind drunk afterwards, marking it as a very successful evening!

What’s your favorite way to get rid of hecklers?

Hecklers want to be part of the show. No one else wants them to be part of the show. This creates a problem. Too much attention reinforces their idea that what they are doing is right, so it’s not good to give it to them. play it off as funny the first time. The second time, be funny but kind of mean. The third time, shut it down. Of course, this is a very general way of dealing with hecklers, and frankly, it’s not all that common. Most people who talk to the comics don’t realize that’s not a thing. I actually once did a show where the booker was heckling me and I had to shut him down. Afterwards, he told me he didn’t know that was not a thing to do. I did not strangle him, and for that, I got a gold star.

What is the punchline of one of the first jokes you’ve ever told onstage?

I used to have this bit about how underwear and swimsuit bottoms are basically the same thing and I ended it with “but show up at the playground in your underwear and here come the cops”. It actually got laughs, I swear.

Congrats to our Showcase Performers!

If you missed our showcase last night, you missed an awesome show. We’re so proud of all of the performers for how hilarious they truly were. Good work ya’ll!
You can find more info about the performers and can see some of their writing samples here!

Lisa Laureta, Ruby performer and pro photographer, will be hosting a heavily discounted headshot photo session day at the Ruby on August 11 from 12-5pm. This is an opportunity for groups or individuals who perform and/or take classes at the Ruby to get some fun shots. These shots can be used as basic headshots, promotional photos, or as covers to your team’s future memoire.

Each group or individual will have 20 minutes for $25! $5 from each session will go to the non-profit “A Different Drum,” an organization that empowers, inspires, and provides an inclusive space for lgbtq youth through music. More info can be found through their instagram @adifferentdrumLA

Headshot sessions have been blocked five minutes apart so it’s very important for you to show up on time for your slot. This means probably 15 minutes early. If the individual is not there on time, they forfeit their slot, and if all members of the team aren’t there on time, then the rest of the team will start without late member(s). That’s Hollywood baby! That’s also just being fair to everyone else who wants to take advantage of this sweet deal.

Why is this deal so sweet?

Because Lisa’s hoping that when you’re done you’ll have had so much darn fun that you have no choice but to recommend her to friends and tag her in any posts of photos she shot of you. But it’s also because she wants to help you out with your career and knows how expensive just living in this city can be, let alone trying to actually be creative and get work!

So come on by for some fun times and some cool shots. Bring props, or don’t! Come in makeup or pajamas! Just make sure to bring your fun self!

For samples of Lisa’s shots or to book a full session, head to her website here!
To book a slot please fill in your team/individual click the link below. Cash or Venmo will be accepted day-of.

Notebooks. They’re filled with your to do list, your sketch ideas, your improv notes from coaching (now THOSE are some weird notes to go back over). They’re very personal and very you. That’s why we asked three of our fave sketch writers to send us pics of their notebooks. And they did NOT disappoint. All three images match each writer’s hilarious personality to a T, if you ask me. Check each notebook out and find out what’s inside below!

Julia Bartlett (Money Pit)

What do you use your notebook for?
This notebook is for sketch team meeting notes and comedy brainstorms.

Do you keep all your old notebooks for the memories? Or do you Marie Kondo that sh*t?
Oh yeah, I keep all my notebooks for the memories. And they all spark joy.

Pick a random page in your notebook – what’s the funniest word (or phrase).
Anchovies on pizza bagels.

Kay Kaanapu (Money Pit / Branzino)

What do you use your notebook for?
To write down anything I need/want to remember because as my mother says – my memory is like Teflon, nothing sticks.

Do you keep all your old notebooks for the memories? Or do you Marie Kondo that sh*t?
I try to Marie Kondo my notes every once in a while but then end up saving them cause I need more time to figure out what they mean.

Pick a random page in your notebook – what’s the funniest word (or phrase).
Greed rhymes with seed.

Ruby Marez (Splash)

What do you use your notebook for?
I use it for everything: sketch notes, ideas, shopping lists, pricing out camper vans for a camping trip!

Do you keep all your old notebooks for the memories? Or do you Marie Kondo that sh*t?
I’d be lost without my notebooks and keep every single one. Sometimes i even create tabbed sections and an index on the front page so i know what is in said notebook for reference.
One day I may purge some but they feel like a part of me and I’m ok with that! I revisit my journals too!

Pick a random page in your notebook – what’s the funniest word (or phrase).
Pee Wee with magicalness!

If you’ve got an empty notebook sitting around that you’d like to fill up with hilarious thoughts – why not take one of our new stand up or storytelling classes?? We’ll fill those notebooks up for you right quick!