Opinions

What Are Improv Forms? (And Why They’re Really Just Sandboxes) If you’re new to improv, you might be wondering: what are improv forms? At their simplest, improv forms are agreed structures for creating a show. They give performers a shared framework,whether that’s a Harold, a Deconstruction, an Armando or a…

Using Letters in Improv Scenes This came up in a class I was teaching last night, and I thought it would be a fun thing to write a blog about; using letters in improv scenes. It’s such an enjoyable move in a scene to come in and…

Holding Both: Art, Business, and the AndAlso Way Running an arts company means constantly balancing two worlds. Art and commerce. Creativity and logistics. Shows and availability spreadsheets. I’ve been thinking a lot recently about energy and artistry. It sits somewhere in the territory of work–life…

Disrupting Turn-taking in Improv I recently ran an improv coaching session all about playing with turn-taking, and it reminded me how much there is to explore once you move beyond the basics. When we first start learning improv, “yes, and” is often about taking turns, making sure everyone gets a…

Playing the Protagonist in Narrative Improv Lots of people fall in love with improv because of the collaborative nature of the work. They love the connection it brings with others, and the egalitarian feeling of creating theatre together in the moment. So when it comes to…

Dirty Dancing and Improv: 5 Things They Have in Common Dirty Dancing to me is one of those films so woven into my existence that I can’t have any kind of objective opinion on it, it’s just part of who I am. As is improv. So I suppose…

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Women in Leadership event at Brighton’s i360, an early start for a morning packed with powerhouse stories, honesty, and the kind of wisdom that sneaks into your bones and rearranges things. Running a creative business with…

When you start doing improvisation, your teacher will probably tell you to be obvious. Don’t think too hard, say the first thing that comes into your mind. See a knife and fork? Add a spoon! Scene starts with ‘I love you, dad’? Say ‘I love…