How many times have you done an improv show, and after you get a suggestion from the audience, you get in your head trying to find the "right" way to use it? Or you are in scene and thing to heighten is right in front of you, but you resist doing it because you think it’s the […]
Okay, the year is only two weeks old, and I am sure some of you have already blown off your New Year's resolutions by now. But if one of your resolutions this year was to have more fun, it’s not too late to start doing that. To help you out, I’ve come up with five […]
I have learned in improv that if something is fun in a scene, do more of it. I get that’s how it works in improv, but I’m not as good at applying that same concept in my own life. But the other day, I was driving home from the grocery store with my two-and-half year […]
We are told all the time in improv just have fun up there and everything will take care of itself. But what if you don't have fun in your real life? Well, then you are screwed. I am speaking from experience. I cannot give something away that I don't have. And when I try to fake […]
The other night after an extremely fun Jimmy and Johnnie show, a former student who was in the audience came up to me and my wife, Lauren. I asked if he was still doing improv, and he said to me sheepishly, "Yeah. I have been improvising for six years now, and the problem is I don't […]
You would think as an improviser I would like to play in my everyday life. You would think I would at least know how to have fun and be silly. I am sorry to disappoint, but I don't. A couple of weekends ago it became very clear that this might be becoming a problem. On Saturday afternoon, my […]
As another one of my Art of Slow Comedy improv class prepares to do a long-form performance at The Upstairs Gallery in Chicago this Saturday, I want to share with you some good reminders on what you need to make a long-form work. 1. Have Fun -- When you play with Susan Messing in her […]
Time for a break There is a myth among improvisers that the more classes you take and more shows you do, the better you will be. We can become addicted to this art form, always hungry to do more. But sometimes, you can do more by doing less. If you feel burnt out or over-extended […]
SNL's Tim Robinson and Jimmy Carrane THERE'S NO RIGHT WAY TO IMPROVISE Last month Eric Voss of Splitsider wrote an excellent article about the importance of finding "the game" in an improv scene, quoting some of the biggest names in improv, including myself. Then a couple of days later, Sally Smallwood of People and Chairs […]