Improv Tips

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . When an audience comes to see an improv show, they already understand that you’re making everything up on the spot. So there’s no need to wink at the audience if you struggle to come up with an idea or stammer over a line. It’s better to attribute the flub to something that’s happening in the scene than to break the audience&rsq...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . On this, the 100 th episode of “Improv Tips,” I’m reminded of the Henry Ford quote, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.” I’m not sure that I expected to do 100 episodes, or maybe even that I should do 100 episodes, but here we are. Certainly, if I had thought that I couldn’...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . The audience’s suggestion is only meant to inspire your performance. If the suggestion is “candy,” and that makes me think of candy corn, which makes me think of Halloween, which makes me think of a werewolf, so I start my scene howling at the moon, even though that all happened in my head without the audience’s knowledge, that&...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . Asking for a “word, any word,” is fine when you’re soliciting a suggestion, but don’t be surprised if you don’t get suggestions that you like. When people are asked to give a suggestion of a word, they can be overwhelmed with all of the choices of words that they know. On the flip side, if you ask them for their favorite m...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . Don’t betray the audience’s trust by throwing away suggestions. If you don’t get a “good” suggestion, part of that might be how you’re asking for suggestions, but occasionally you’re just going to get a bad suggestion. However, the good news is that you are an improviser. You can make something out of any sugge...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . Even though it can be a downright cringy experience, if you get a chance to watch videos of your performances, take it. While watching, don’t second-guess your moves or regret things you said or didn’t say. That will lead only to frustration. But do take the opportunity to observe whether there are any physical moves you make subconsciously...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . You may dislike popular things, like unpopular things, and just not “get” certain things. Of course you should have your own opinions, and it’s great that you do. But don’t close yourself off to a certain comedian, form, TV show, film, or podcast because of your preconceived notions. You’ll miss out on a lot of great comed...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . Always keep in your mind that improv is a team game. If you want to control every single thing that happens onstage, go do standup. Your improv team is only as strong as its weakest link. Strive to put everyone onstage into the best position to succeed, and work toward making everyone around you look good. By doing so, you’ll elevate the level of...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . It’s important to listen to notes that you get from your fellow improvisers, coaches, and teachers. You may, however, occasionally get notes that directly conflict with other notes you’ve gotten. When that happens, it’s important to remember that notes aren’t necessarily gospel. Improv is very fluid and transitory, and what work...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . Whenever you have to open a cabinet, write on a chalkboard, or paint a wall, put it downstage. The nice part about imagining everything onstage is that there is no actual cabinet, chalkboard, or wall blocking the audience’s view, so you can face them when you’re interacting with those things. Put them downstage, and the audience will be abl...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . It’s a good idea in improv, like in anything requiring practice, to form good habits early. From day one, be consistently on time, make strong decisions, make your fellow improvisers look good, and do all of the other things that make for a good improviser. If you do those things consistently, they’ll become habits. When the fundamentals of...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . I can’t count how many times I’ve performed, and I still get a little nervous every time I take the stage. It’s okay to be nervous, no matter how much experience you have. In fact, it might be beneficial. That nervous energy can give you an edge and make you more alert than you otherwise might be onstage. If you find yourself getting...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . No matter how good you are at taking or giving focus in a scene, there will be at least a time or two when you find yourself talking at the same time as a fellow performer. More than one person talking at once, is not likely to be coherent to the audience. Unless that’s an intentional choice in service of the scene, it’s going to have to ge...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . Of course you strive to create the best possible creations that you can. But don’t let your desire to make everything absolutely perfect interfere with your production of content. The beauty of improv is that it’s perfectly imperfect. You don’t get second takes, and you can’t obsess over the smallest details of each scene. Bear...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . You will most likely have a stage or some sort of designated performance area for most of your performances. But unless there’s some sort of rule against it, don’t shy away from using the entire space. Few things bring me greater joy than seeing a performer going into the audience or creatively using the entire space in some way. As Shakesp...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . It’ll probably never be the perfect time to take that first improv class, to go out for that first audition, or to write that first page. But if not now, when you’re stuck at home, when? I understand the fear of failure and rejection as much as anyone, but if you wait forever for the perfect time to come along to put yourself out there, tru...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . As tough as social distancing has been, there is a way to take advantage of your current situation. You might live in an improv desert, where there is not a readily-available place to take classes or see shows. If there is a silver lining to the shelter-at-home, it’s that many reputable theaters are offering a much wider variety of online classes...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . I was recently reminded that everyone is on their own improv journey and comes to the craft for their own unique reasons. I didn’t do a particularly good job remembering that myself, so I want to take this opportunity to remind all of you of that fact. Everyone’s path to and through improv is different, and each individual journey should be...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . Everyone is getting a little stir crazy during this time of sheltering at home. Most of the improvisers I’ve met are very social people. If you’re one of those social people sheltering at home, and you’re alone, make it a point to regularly communicate with other people instead of whiling away the hours on social media. Call, don&rsqu...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . I believe that there is such a thing as making too many connections in an improv scene. Connections and callbacks are fantastic and gratifying and should definitely be used. However, don’t lose the forest through the trees. If you are throwing out dozens of connections and callbacks, you might lose the interesting thread of the scene in all the c...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . Even when you’re not on stage, you’re always part of an improv performance. Whether you’re waiting for an edit, providing a sound effect, or committing a character name to memory that you can call back later, you never know when your offstage contributions will be called upon. You’re just as much a part of the performance off th...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . Keep your mind off your appearance. Face it. You’re a grown person creating a world of make-believe on stage. If you’re doing it right, at some point, you’re bound to look silly. Own it. Be proud of your choices, and don’t preoccupy your mind worrying about how you look onstage. That’s your improv tip for the day. Stay saf...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . You’re going to have ample opportunities to rib, kid, tease, and josh your fellow improvisers. It’s often a way improvisers express affection for their fellow performers. Many improvisers I’ve met can take and dish out the teasing with the best of them, but be aware that not all can. So until you get to know someone, be sensitive to t...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . You can always find relatable moments in improv. Even when your scene has been sent to space, and you’re playing a ten-armed alien bent on colonizing Earth, find the relatable moment. Maybe your alien is just doing this to impress a girl or please his dad. Maybe he wants to colonize Earth because it’s the place he used to go on vacation gro...

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater . Every time you wink at the audience by breaking the fourth wall and acknowledging that you’re doing this crazy improv scene, you’re undercutting the reality of the scene you’re creating. If executed well, it can certainly be very funny, but don’t let the reward of audience laughter get you in the habit of using it as a crutch. N...