<aside> đź’ˇ Please note this post is part of the Seven habits of highly effective improvisers series. Click here for an overview.
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When we talk about the foundational principles of improv, Yes and gets all the glory. It’s like the Elon Musk of improvisational theory - in that it’s seemingly ubiquitous, apparently indispensable but is actually a lot less important than it seems.
Also, it’s trying to buy twitter.
No, that bit doesn’t work.
Sure, Yes and has its uses but it also has its challenges and these need to be unpacked and fully understood before it can be wielded confidently for the good of the scene.
Yes and teaches us to accept our partner’s offer, enthusiastically affirm it (YES!), and then add something of our own inspired by what we’ve just accepted (AND!)
But foundational principles are the bedrock on which we build our art, and you know what comes before accepting and building on your partner’s ideas?
Actually LISTENING to your partner’s ideas.
For me, listening is the most important skill an improviser can learn.
By listening you are laser-focussing all the attention in the room on your partner. By listening you are implicitly telling the audience that your partner is worth listening to. By listening you are ensuring the centrality of your partner’s offer and giving yourself the best chance of responding in a logical and delightful way.
Listening solves so many problems in improv. If you just give yourself that one task - of truly taking in what the other person is saying - then I guarantee you’ll feel less nervous, you’ll reduce the pressure of feeling like you have to come up with something memorable, you’ll build story and character effortlessly, you’ll ultimately make your partner look good without even trying.
And BONUS FEATURE - being a good listener is also an essential quality if you’re interested in being a decent human being off stage too.
It’s a win-win situation. It’s all killer, no filler. It’s free, it’s safe, it doesn’t hurt anyone and it can improve your life and your improv exponentially. AND you can practice it anywhere and anytime.
Yes, Listening is truly the Lizzo to Yes and’s Elon **Musk.