May 5th was my birthday. I turned 56. It's been a tradition of mine, a week or so before my actual birthday, to get more depressed than normal, followed by a wave of self-pity. Thank God, with everything that has been going on in the world and that fact I have not left my house […]
After six weeks of teaching improv classes online using Zoom, I wanted to share with you some scenic exercises that I have had success with in this whole virtual format. They are simple and straightforward, and I have found that they have helped the students become more comfortable with the format, which seems to be a concern […]
I recently watched a short film called The Improv Guru, written by improviser George McAuliffe and produced by former Second City director Scott Goldstein. It's based on McAuliffe's popular Twitter account @improvguru39, which I have always found extremely funny. The film is a dark comedy about an arrogant improv teacher, and his deranged students, as they desperately climb […]
For most of us, this is the most serious time we have ever experienced in our lives. It is scary, unpredictable and stressful. And even though it may feel like the end of the world – in fact, because it feels like the end of the world – it’s crucial that we don’t lose our sense of […]
It is an understatement to say things have changed in the world, and improv is no exception. For the time being we cannot safely meet in person to do shows, hold rehearsals or attend classes. All the performing arts are in limbo. Some improvisers have moved fast, and have already started doing online classes, rehearsals […]
Shit. These are crazy times, wouldn’t you say? We are uncertain about the future while grieving the past. It is causing us to live one day at time. We are in survival mode: food, shelter, and staying healthy are our priorities. Most of us are just hanging on. I know I am. I have been […]
As you read this, you are most likely hunkered down somewhere, social distancing yourself from the rest of the world. You probably have not left your home in days, except to gather food supplies and hoard paper products. COVID-19 has changed our lives for the time being, and at this point, we don't to how […]
I really love teaching improv. There, I said it. I really do. And nothing reinforces this more than when I talk to other people who are also teaching improv. In the last week, I have had six (!) lengthy conversations with other improv teachers – David Razowsky, Bill Arnett, Kim Greene Hiller, Pat Finn, Dee Ryan and Justin […]
I know I probably shouldn't say this as an improv teacher, but I have found that doing storytelling has actually been helping me with my improv. It might seem counter intuitive that doing solo work would actually help you with improv, which, by its very nature is all about collaborating and working with others. But it […]
Have you ever set a goal for yourself and right before you are about to reach it, you do something to prevent achieving it? Oh, it might be subtle, like staying out the night before ’til 2 am getting drunk. Or not preparing for your big audition. Or not asking for help. Or even worse, […]