During my trip to Chicago and Calgary in the summer of 2008, I started asking a question to the improvisers I met:
What is the most important thing in improv?
Here are their answers so far:
The willingness to fail and letting people laugh at that (Becky), doing it and not knowing how to do it (Alistair), working with people you trust and who challenge you as an artist (Tim S.), being truthful, understanding what the other person wants and getting rid of fear (Keith), having the spirit of improvisation, being honnest and acknowledging when things don’t go well but releasing the safety mechanisms when they do (Shawn), not knowing what’s coming next and finding ways to mess yourself up (Steve), being selfish (Mick), finding characters that are real and have a grain of truth in them (Jennifer), developing something new (Andy M.), being responsible for having fun and committing on stage (Rachael), listening (Andy S.), laughing (Lina), being real (Lisa), playing with a sense of joy (Farell), building trust with your partners (Tom), communication (Tim W.), enjoying yourself (Josh), honnesty and truth as an artist (Michael), creating a reasonable reality (Bill), not being afraid to look stupid (Susan), playing with confidence (Jill)…
…but remember that there is no “single most important thing”, it’s all important in impro (Keith).
If you’re thinking about Comedy Writing, the secret is to wear comfortable shoes (Joe) and write together (Nancy)!
[For an added bonus, notice the wild haircut evolution in the videos below!]
Becky Johnson
Alistair Cook
Tim Stoltenberg
Keith Johnstone
Steve Jarand
Mick Napier
Jennifer Estlin
Andy Miara
Rachael Mason
Andy St. Clair
Team Cornwallis (Lina, Lisa, Farell and Tom)
Tim Whetham
Josh Walker
Michael Gellman
Susan Messing and Bill Arnett
Jill Fenstermaker
On Comedy Writing…
Joe Janes
Nancy Becket
