Can Playing Meta Save Improv?

Break the fourth wall, as a treat

Play by Play at UCB Franklin

We were talking about recent innovations in improv last week. There’s one that I have trouble articulating, but it’s a trend of newer performers to break the fourth wall with their improv.

ADDED AFTER PUBLICATION: I don’t know what I meant by “can meta save improv?” Save it from what? I don’t know. I think I meant more — “can playing meta supercharge improv” but …. I got lazy.

Playing meta is generally seen as a flaw in improv. We think of it as someone breaking the fourth wall, like shrugging to the audience as you edit, or looking out and commenting on the scene as it’s happening. Something like when someone goes “Uh, yeah, THAT’S what I meant.” And I agree: those are destructive moves.

I’m talking about “meta” as when a show incorporated the audience into the show as a part of the form.

I’m thinking of Dropout’s “Game Changer.” It’s improv challenges framed as a game show, with Sam Reich as the host and as the audience. it makes improv feel conversational.

Or Ben Schwartz’ improv tours, which involve extended chats with the audience before they do a scene. And then those scenes very directly use many of the comments and observations from the conversation.

Or a show I do called “Play by Play” where two commentators discuss an improv show as it happens. The players and commentators interact with each other.

Let’s go a little future back. Comedy Bang Bang (the podcast, not the TV show) incorporates a combination of fully committed characters, but lots of moments of self-awareness. The actors laugh out loud at themselves. Or they will say on-purpose self aware things, like when Jon Gabrus as Gino the Intern talks about Jon Gabrus the podcaster.

Chris Gethard’s TV shows HUGELY involved the audience - both with phone calls, but also using the studio audience to react to the stunts and pieces happening.

I’m also thinking of how many sketch shows start with the players talking right to the audience before moving into the sketches. Dave Chappelle’s Comedy Central show did that. But I’m also thinking of the San Francisco group Kasper Hauser. When I saw them (Kasper) they chatted with the audience, explained that their first sketch was about a phone that could call the 15th century, and then began the sketch with no transition.

I realize I don’t totally have a handle on this! You could argue that every one of these examples is preventing “pure” improv from happening.

But I would argue that there is some deep primal desire of performers to connect with the audience directly, and that there is some way to use this.

Improv is due for a revolution. Maybe it’s something to do with incorporating the audience very directly as another member of the ensemble.

@playbyplayimprov

Play by Play on Instagram: "There's no rule that says you can't…

Let me know what you think! Is this even an idea?

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Plug: The And Camp

Myself and the other WGIS founders are the featured teachers at a new “improv camp” next fall. It’s called THE AND CAMP. September 17-20 in the Berkshires. It’s $699 for the whole kit and kaboodle: food, lodging, classes, etc. Lots of great NYC teachers (Shannon O’Neill, Sebastian Conelli, Ray Cordova, Elana Fishbein) in a beautiful setting! Tons of fun classes, shows and improv nerdery will abound!

We have sold about 1/3 of our tickets. Private cabins are booked. Groups of 6 can get their own cabin.

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Plug: WGIS Intensives

If you’re more west coast oriented, WGIS is having intensives several times next year.

• last week of Feb, first week of March

• last week of April (we are not doing this one anymore!)

• last week of July, first week of August

Meant for out-of-towners, you come out for a week to LA (class does NOT provide lodging) for 8 sessions and a show of advanced instruction. They will be $375 for a week of classes.

We now have an application for this camp. It’s this Google form. We’ll reply within 2 weeks(ish) of your applying. We are looking for advanced improvisers.

Apply for the WGIS Intensives

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Plugs: More Stuff

• 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! You can join our mailing list if you want our weekly announcement of shows.

• How to Be The Greatest Improviser On Earth - My improv book, available at Amazon. Kindle or print (also on my web site for more if you don’t want to buy from Amazon). It’s a hodge-podge of advice I wrote in 2016 about doing improv. If you’re short of funds and want a free PDF version just email me and I’ll send it over.

• I was on Comedy Bang Bang this past week with Kumail Nanjiani and Charlie McCrackin. Episode 944 “Bones Are Important.” Stay tuned to the end to hear me steal Charlie’s hilarious character for a bit! Or don’t! Let’s face it, you don’t have to listen at all if you don’t want!