Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/63981
For the women behind Madison's Monkey Business Institute, improv isn't just one more thing on their busy schedules, it's a way of life laughter overtakes the chatter and comedic anarchy unfolds on stage. About a year ago, I found myself there, waiting for a perfor- mance by the Monkey Business Institute, a local improv comedy troupe. By show's end, my sides ached from laughing. The "old me" ached, too—a woman still swimming to the surface after the tidal wave of motherhood had washed over her. Rushing home to relieve the babysitter, I felt a bittersweet sense that this was my tribe. I grew up around irreverent women—not suffragists or bra- i n the basement of Glass Nickel Pizza Co.'s Atwood Avenue location lies a cozy dining area where every Saturday night burners, mind you—just nice Midwestern ladies who regularly set aside their dignity in the name of a good laugh. These were straight arrows with bent senses of humor and questionable impulse-con- trol, which explains why the spontaneous, side-splitting show performed by the Monkey Business Institute reminded me of my roots. Given an opportunity last month to meet with the five wom- en from this troupe of 20 performers for a round-table discussion, I felt like it was kismet. By night, Jennifer Salas, Linda Hedenband, Vanessa Tortolano, By Jenny Fiore Photographed by Amber Arnold shows at Glass Nickel, but offers regular improv lessons and spe- cialty workshops for businesses. By day, they're busy heading their own careers, being mothers all the while. I quickly learned that among them, they have eight children (and another on the way!). One heads a blended family, another has a child with special needs, and yet another became a mom at 47 with just three days' notice, taking legal guardianship of an 8-year-old relative. Talking with these freestyle humorists, I found they have an al- most meditative perspective on their work. Ideas like mindfulness, acceptance and openness punctuated our conversation, drawing unexpected parallels between improv and Buddhism that fasci- nated me. As did those between improv and motherhood: relin- quishing control, reconnecting with your inner child, and finding oneness in giving yourself over to another. Their art is rooted in an attitude they call "Yes, and…", which Sarah Rogers and Sheila Robertson play a vital part in the success of the Monkey Business empire, which not only puts on weekly works both onstage and off. Burned dinner? Yes, and now you know the smoke alarm works. Lost downtown? Yes, and what a great view of the Capitol! Who better, then, to teach us the mantra that mothers everywhere already know? That is, in life, you've got to roll with the punches. Here's how they do it. March 2012 bravamagazine.com 45 MOMS of COMEDY MADISON'S and now...