Improv Breakthrough!

Ah, yes. I knew it would be a matter of time before I had one of these moments. Less than three weeks after starting classes in Chicago, I finally realized what one of my biggest strengths is, and simultaneously what my biggest weakness is.

I took a workshop with Joe Bill (from BASSPROV, among others) on Sunday, January 24th. He was full of improv wisdom, and it made me really wish I hadn't set my notebook down on the other side of the room. I tried to write down as much as I could remember during the break, though.

Altogether, I did about four scenes with various other improvisers. The first was lousy, which I realized early (we were focused too much on an object -- a sandwich -- and not each other). The next two scenes were much better. The fourth and final scene was very memorable to me.

The exercise was this: start off the scene by NOT looking your scene partner in the eyes (contrasting the earlier scenes we had done). Give a few lines, then start making eye contact. I started off by admiring myself in the mirror. My scene partner was doing a crossword puzzle. The first few lines went like this:

Me: "Tonight's gonna be a good night. I can feel it!"
Other guy: "What's a 5-letter word for dinner?"
Me: "Pasta! Oooh! I'm on fire tonight!"
Other guy: "I don't think that's going to work..."
Me: (looking over his shoulder) "You must've done 14 Down wrong."
Other guy: "Oh, yeah... you're right!"
Me: "See! Can't stop me!"

At this point, Joe Bill told us to freeze. He suggested that I restate my initial lines, with more emotion. I did, and the scene took off. It became a scene where I wanted him to be my wingman, because he was frumpier and dumber than me, and he made me look good in comparison to all the ladies.

Joe Bill said after the scene that he saw I was starting to get distracted with the problem-solving of the crossword puzzle. I had made a strong, declarative statement to open the scene, and had gotten away from it. Chances are, I would never have gotten back to it without the suggestion to restate my opening line. Joe Bill said it's a good tool to keep in my improv toolbelt, and I agreed. I made extra sure to write that down in my notebook.

Class ended a couple of scenes later, and I walked home. On my way home, I kept thinking about that scene, and why that simple note made it work so much better. It finally occurred to me (around Belmont & Clark) that there's a greater reason behind it.

Probably my greatest strength as an improviser is my ability to "Yes And." No matter what comes out of my scene partner's mouth, I'll take it and run with it. However, this can also be my biggest weakness.

Why would I say that? Isn't the concept of agreement the foundation of improv comedy? Don't we teach beginning improvisers this on the first day? Wouldn't that strength make me the most valuable person on a team? Not necessarily. Not when I follow my scene partner's lead AT THE EXPENSE OF MY OWN IDEAS.

In the above example, I was quick to give up everything of my own to support what my scene partner had said and done. My own line of "Tonight's gonna be a good night. I can feel it!" was rich with possibilities. Any two improvisers could have made a good scene out of that. My scene partner's line of "What's a 5-letter word for dinner?" certainly needed to be acknowledged and incorporated into the scene, but it didn't need to be the focal point. Discussing a crossword puzzle can only be interesting for so long. I made a good opening line. I should trust that. Throwing it away doesn't do me, my scene partner, or the audience any good.

I need to re-read Mick Napier's "Improvise." It's probably the best book out there that deals with this exact sort of thing. The concept of "take care of yourself first" can sound like something completely backwards to improv teaching, where it's most important to make your scene partner look good. But if I was to make my character's wants and motivations clear and well-defined, my scene partner has something to work with and the scene will progress.

So, yeah... my brain exploded yesterday afternoon. Once I put the pieces back together, hopefully I'll be wiser for the experience.

Oh, and if you get a chance to take a workshop with Joe Bill, do it.