Finding Your Voice in Improv By Sharing More Of Yourself

Finding your voice as an improviser can be confusing.

You may have heard your improv teacher or coach talk about it and not have a clue what they mean.

So what exactly does it mean when your improv teacher tells you to “find your voice” as an improviser?

To me, I think you have found your voice as an improviser when your life experiences meet your craft. That means putting your life experiences into your art.

Your life experiences are your interests. For example, are you into Dungeon and Dragons? Are you married? What jobs did you have growing up? What are your hobbies? What are your passions? etc. All of these things are great things to use in an improv scene.

Your craft is your training — the classes you’ve taken, the shows you’ve been in, the stage time you’ve had in front of an audience. This takes time, and the biggest thing is to accept the failure is a part of the learning curve. I just read a great quote from Yoda from Star Wars: “You know the difference between the master and the beginner? The master has failed more time then the beginner has ever tried.”

While the craft part takes time, you can start working on the life experience part right now by starting to use more of your own life and your own interests into your scene work.

The biggest thing that gets in the way of improvisers sharing their life experience is that they don't think people will be interested in it, and they’re afraid people will think they are weird. But, I say, the weirder you are, the better. If a student does a scene about a subject they are interested in and passionate about, even though it may not be something that I am interested in, guess what? Their passion about it makes me interested in it, too.

Not only do I get exposed to something new, but they are sharing themselves, their authentic selves, with me and with the audience, which is rewarding for everyone.

I get it. Being proud of what you like can be scary. It can seem so much easier to try to fit in with everyone else and do and say things we think others will approve of. But you know what? Being just like everyone else is boring.

Have you been holding back sharing your life experiences in your improv? If so, you can change that right now. If you are into D and D, you can play a dungeon master in your next scene. If you like baking, you could play a chef. If your dad was controlling and distant, play your dad in a scene.

We want to see you and your life experience while your craft catches up, and my guess is you’ll find your voice even quicker. 

Want to learn how to make improv as easy as having a conversation? Don't miss Jimmy's Level 1 Adult Improv Class, starting Oct. 16 in Glenview!