Author: Preston Smith When people hear I do improv the expect me to be much funnier they I actually am. Recently, I was told by a group that I presented to that I was not nearly as funny as they had hoped… they announced prior to my presentation that I do improv (thanks, right?). The truth is, improv is a team sport, It is hard for me to do improv on my...

Author: Preston Smith Ask yourself at the beginning of every scene: Who is this person to me? How do I feel about them? Asking yourself these questions will help you focus on the emotion and relationship of the...

Author: Preston Smith The best reactions are real reactions. Reactions that aren’t planned are real. When you plan a reaction you usually stop listening to what your scene partner is doing or saying. Be honest and real. If something that is said in a scene shocks you, say it, act shocked. If something in the scene makes you sad, act sad… don’t...

Author: Michael Yichao When in doubt, say “I love you.” This is true in marriages and improv scenes. (Well, really, I can only speak from experience on one of those two subjects, but still.) It all comes down to the relationship. Whenever I’m uncertain what to say or do next, I make eye contact with my partner and tell them as honestly as...

Author: Preston Smith A lot of the time an improvisor will spend so much time trying to create funny moments in scenes. This generally ends badly, with a joke or some forced epitaph that is completely unrelated to what is happening in a scene. Every time I teach a class of new students or an intro class, I always ask them if they can tell me the funniest moment...

Author: Preston Smith A scene is not a complicated thing or, at least it shouldn’t be. When you enter a scene, with in the first 30 seconds you should have everything you need to have a great scene. Accepting the reality that has been created is absolutely important to having a good scene. Not only what is happening in a scene but also, who you are in the...

This is the moment… I say this a lot when I’m teaching improv because it is what makes a scene interesting to watch and participate in. This is what it means. Improv consists of short scenes… even long-form improv consists of relatively short scenes (when compared to one life time). Each short scene is a moment in which players enter the stage...