Here are some things for when improv feels terrible (which it does), and you worry that you’re the worst person in your class (you’re not) and you just truly don’t know what you’re supposed to do in order to be better.
These are tips and tricks, not fundamental principles. These are things you can do when your confidence is low in order to get it back. It’s things like “match energy” (tip number one), which is NOT something you should ALWAYS do. It’s just a good thing to try when you’re feeling off.
Let us proceed!
Basic Scenework Help
If you are in levels 1 or 2, try these. Also if you are completely frozen with no idea of what to do in scenes, no matter what the level, try these.
Match Energy
Let the other person initiate, and copy their general quality of energy. If they’re happy and high energy, do that. If they are small and casual, you do that. If they’re doing some physical work — washing dishes, tapping their foot, looking around —- copy that too.
No, this doesn’t ALWAYS work. But it works a fair amount. And it feels good. You feel supportive. And to the other person, it feels a whole lot like very attentive listening.
Be Agreeable
It is true that you do NOT have to literally say “yes” to be a good improv character. But when you’re feeling out of it, literally saying “yes” a lot can help. Just like matching energy, it feels good to do.
Whatever the other character says, you feel that way too. Nod a lot. Say “I know” a lot.
If they come at you hard with a thing that is very obviously meant to be a bad idea, like “hey, why don’t you jump off this bridge right now?” then you can say “no.” But if it’s anything less than that, be agreeable.
If they say “you’re fired” you can try “yeah, it’s probably a good idea.”
Report Your Feelings
Saying what you feel —- honestly — even if what you feel is NOTHING — can help a scene. In improv, knowing what you’re feeling is better than being wit.
Try using any of these phrases:
“You Know, That Makes Me Feel ____” — this is meant for small feelings, even if it’s obvious. Like if someone says “Well the report is due in 10 minutes and we’ve done none of it.” You could say “Man, that stresses me out.” Or even literally “You know, that makes me feel stressed.” Or even “You know, I’m okay with that.”
Nod More
Seriously. Nod your head more. While the other person is talking, while you are talking.
Go To Your Environment
Do something in the space. Anything. Chop vegetables, clean a trophy, play with a yo-yo, rake leaves, anything.
Game Of The Scene Advice
If you’re in an improv class/school where they emphasize game of the scene a lot, and you have no confidence about game, try these. These are different rules than above! These are for game of the scene classes.
Play everything real at all costs
Don’t say yes to anything that is fake. If someone says “I love funerals” don’t say “me too.” Go “Why?”
Ask why a lot
“Why do you say that?”
Say “That’s a little weird” a lot
“You want to try and beat up our boss? That’s a little weird. That’s a lot weird, actually. “
Patterns, Patterns, Patterns
Pattern is the intro to game. If something notable happens, do it again. If you have a big reaction to something, have it again.
Be A Little Stinker
Instead of an “agreeable” character, be mischievous. Be up to something. Something small. If it’s a scene at a day job, propose sneaking out a little early. If you’re on a date, propose calling each other’s exes. These are unusual things. These become games.
React 10% More, But Not 100% More
Emotion fuels game. But too much feels fake. So just goose your feelings one notch higher.
Okay those are my pieces of advice!
Suggestions?
If you have any suggestions for future essays, put them in the comments or reply to this if you get this over email.
Plugs, Fresh
Empathy and Point of View Class in London (CORRECTED EMAIL) — My improv cohort Jim Woods is teaming up with Mike OT (they are both co-founders of the awesome London improv theater the Free Association) to teach some intensives in London the first two weeks of July. It’s called “Empathy and Point of View” - four all-day sessions for 250 pounds. This will be an intense, challenging, and awesome course and I wish I could take it! There’s a weekday one (July 1 - July 4) and a weekend one (July 6, 7 and July 13, 14). Payment plans available. Email lorahri@gmail.com for info or to register. NOTE: This email is correct. I had the wrong one in earlier plugs for this class!
Plugs, Ongoing
High Functioning - Ian Roberts and I do an hour of improv EVERY SATURDAY 7pm at the UCB Annex. See this video for Ian and I showing you where the UCB Annex is.
Screw It, We’re Just Gonna Talk About Comics - Comic book podcast, hosted by my brother Kevin and I. We are about to start coverage of the late 1990s iteration of Human Target by Peter Milligan.
Clubhouse Fridays - WGIS’ weekly improv show. Fridays 7pm at The Clubhouse. Free!
The World’s Greatest Improv School: The improv school I run with Jim Woods and Sarah Claspell. We’ve got classes online, in LA and even a few in NYC!
How to Be The Greatest Improviser On Earth - My improv book, available at Amazon. Kindle or print. It’s a hodge-podge of advice I wrote in 2016 about doing improv. If you’re broke and want a free PDF version just email me and I’ll send it over.