Why It's Good to Be Vulnerable In an Improv Scene
Vulnerability is a great way to connect with your scene partner in a deeper way, and usually being vulnerable in a scene leads to unexpected choices because you are working from your heart instead of your head.
Where being vulnerable can be the most effective is when your character is being blamed or baited into a fight with another character. When people are blamed, our natural reaction is to defend ourselves. So scenes like this often end up with improvisers going back and forth blaming each other, making the scene go nowhere. Scenes like this are frustrating to watch and even worse to be in.
If you’re in a scene like this, instead of being defensive, trying being vulnerable instead by playing someone who is sacred, sad or filled with shame.
For example, if someone starts a scene by blaming you for something, make it your fault and take full responsibility.
Let’s take a cliché roommate scene.
Player A: “Meg, I have asked you for months to wash the dishes! I am tired of cleaning up after you.”
Player B: “Molly, I wanted you to get mad at me. It makes it easier for me to leave.”
Player A: “You’re leaving?”
Player B: “Yes, I was afraid to tell you. Every time I have to say goodbye, I get into a fight with the other person, so I can be mad and not sad.”
Player A: “You’re moving in with Kevin.”
Player B: “I love him. He proposed to me.”
Playing vulnerable is a great tool to have in your improv toolbox, because when you are able to play with vulnerability, you are tapping into something deeper. It makes your character more human and more relatable to the audience.
I have seen in my classes and workshops when improvisers start doing this, it takes their scenes in totally unexpected directions. Players have access to a bigger range of choices, like a singer who now can hit both the low and high notes.
Next time you're faced with an argument scene in an improv class or show, try being more vulnerable and let me know how it goes.
Want to take your improv to the next level? Don't miss Jimmy's next Scene Work Bootcamp on Nov. 2!