<aside> 💡 Thanks for reading this continually evolving list of improv wisdom.
If you’d like to share it, please use this handy link: tinyURL.com/improvwisdom100
And if you’d like to add your own contribution, please email it to [email protected].
</aside>
I have learned through my years of improvising that there are innumerable styles of improv and that it is not a one size fits all situation. Rather than teach people your way of doing improv, nurture their unique way so we can all benefit from a diverse culture of improvisational joy.
Jon Nguyen, Norwich, UK. The Comediasians.
You are enough. Breathe. Look the other person in the eyes. Listen like you care. Take your time. Don't judge yourself or anybody else. Dare to be truthful. Just go with it and you'll find it together. All improv teachings are tools not rules, at the end of the day - it's just making stuff up! As Lee Terrell says You can't control the sea, only learn to swim in it.
Lisa Lynn, London, UK. Acaprov, Hoopla, Hell Yeah! Southend48thon.
I learned that the scene hasn’t started until the moment you make eye contact with the other player. I learned that improv began with Viola Spolin, to help displaced people. For me, improv is worshipping the absurdity of life, and a form of love for the audience, to reflect our wild lives.
Rebecca Riisness, Prague, Czechia. Script for Brains, The Imperfectionists.
Play with people who make you laugh. Treat everything like a gift. There are no mistakes, only happy accidents. Make your scene partner look good and hop on their idea. Spend less time critiquing, both your work and others, and more time playing. Quickly leave situations that aren't for you.
Jay Sukow, Los Angeles, USA.
If I can give one bit of advice to the young improv Lena: Have fun on stage. And if you don´t have fun, don´t try to change the others. Instead try to find the fun together with your stage partners. It was Matt Higbee from the iO who taught me that: If you want to have fun, go get it!
Lena Breuer*,* Cologne, Germany. Impro Köln.
Here’s the wisdom I wish I had heard earlier in my improv journey. It’s from Jim Libby. Not everyone warms up in the same way. Games like Whoosh Bang Pow are great and work for some, but others just need eye contact and a check-in. Find what works for you and do that instead of forcing yourself into some “ideal warm-up”.
Kiki Hohnen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Helmet Thieves.
My advice to myself starting out would be: Stop trying so hard! The more you relax and trust, the better the improv will be (and the more fun you will have!)
Fred Deakin, London, UK. Project2.
“Kill your babies”. I don’t remember who said it, but you can ruin a good scene with an excellent idea, introduced at the wrong time. It is better to drop the best idea than to force it into a scene where it’s not appropriate.
Jason Blackwater. Currently Orlando, Florida, USA. Formerly Brighton, UK and a member of The Maydays.
Improv - the closest thing to the playtime that I had as a child. Exciting, nurturing, exploring, supportive, joyful, laughing and above all, huge fun. Like some directed playtime with current and new friends; the time goes so fast, that when that metaphorical bell goes, I can’t wait for the next one!
Geoff Rolls, Hersham, UK. The Pretend Company.
I’ve been lucky to have had Billy Merritt as a teacher many times and he’s the one who appears to me as a force ghost whenever I’m stuck in scenes. Particularly his “Why here? Why today?”. It reminds me to make bold, interesting choices. The audience are peeking into the characters' lives. Let’s give them something worth witnessing.
Laura, Glasgow, UK. Yer Da.
Improv has made me a better conversationalist. It taught me that discussions are not competitions. Let us talk for a while about one person’s idea or story instead of attempting to top someone's contribution or changing subjects. It is an excellent opportunity to learn something new.
Brendan, London, UK. The Parentheticals.
For me, Improv has endless possibilities to explore and play, it’s forever growing and evolving. It has a positive application in so many parts of my life. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Avril Poole, London, UK. Ladyprov. Improvised Play. Blend Off. Moments in Time.
The great thing improv has taught me is to get out of my head (making plans for scenes) and into my body (be affected by and just respond to my partner). This has had a huge effect on my life and work.
Joe Friedman, London, UK. Scumbags cast member.
i) Being “consciously incompetent” can be a good thing.
ii) 19 year old boys aren’t experts in improv.
iii) Ultimately I think improv has led me to become a more liberated performer and a more confident human.
iv) Improv is freedom and connection.
Charlie Vero-Martin, London, UK.
Be kind, not polite.
I don’t remember who first told me this, but it’s stayed with me and is the main bit of advice my students tend to resonate with and remember too. It’s easy to conflate these two behaviours, but they are actually very different. Polite waits for someone to finish their scene before you start a new one, but Kind edits on a high point leaving the audience wanting more and the players with plenty to play with later. Polite lets other people set the scene, in case your idea will jarr with theirs, but Kind brings something strong immediately so that you both have something to play with and your partner isn’t responsible for your choices as well as their own. Polite doesn’t want to disrupt the action and leans back, Kind actively looks for opportunities to support the action.
Jennifer Jordan, London, UK. Somewhat Theatre.
Best bit of advice I've received that's helped me keep out of my own head was on a course with Lola Rose Maxwell. She just said to me, "Don't write the character, just be the character." (I'm still working on it.)
Noel Curry, Leeds, UK.
I was lucky to learn early the value of keeping your scene environment in mind. It's always a source of ideas, and exploring it adds real depth and immersion. It doesn't have to be about crazy physicality - a little light object work or activity is all you need.
David Raitt, Toronto, Canada.
The essence of improv for me is ... do new things. That's literally it (except it's not, because I'm still typing).
Benefits of doing new things: Discovering skills you never knew you had, pushing yourself, proactively avoiding boredom, staying motivated, being rewarded with a steady stream of new accomplishments.
Mark Fitzhenry, Prague, Czechia. The Imperfectionists.