How to figure out the “What” of improv. If you’re looking for a book to help you learn the “How” of improv, there are dozens of them out there. If you are, instead, looking for the “What” of improv, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything of any depth, at least anything specifically designed for […]
The art of avoiding unproductive questions The magical characteristic of improv is its amorphous nature. Improv, unlike other forms of theatre, is unconstrained by rigid structural limitations. Stage actors play within boundaries; Improv actors play with boundaries. Every list of “The Rules of Improv” we’ve seen includes some version of “Don’t ask questions.” Questions, they state with emphatic certitude, are bad. It
As with any art form, getting better at improv takes time, effort, and keen observation skills. For all intents and purposes, improv is a communal art. You can only become a competent improviser if you find at least one other person willing to play with you. This does not, however, preclude you from doing some of
When it comes to scene starters, you are never constrained by time, space, or any other mundane concerns. As we mention in our book, The 5 Elements of Improv, “The point to be made here is that with improv you are limited only by yourself. You can quite literally do anything in a scene. You can be anything. You can go anywhere.” Keep this in
While sketch comedy and improv are both theater-based art forms, there are basic differences between the two First: sketch comedy is scripted, improv is not. While there are TV shows that employ some improvisation (Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office), they are still working within the framework of a script; they know what the story is, even if the dialogue is
