The Backline - An Improv Podcast

We're told that Yes And is the building block of every improv scene, but are there are drawbacks when using this tool? This week Rob and Adam discuss the origins of Yes And, how to agree effectively, and how to use emotion to hold the story in place.

This week Rob and Adam discuss how to find your ending onstage, what a resolution looks like onstage, and how your ending might differ based on what format you're playing. Thanks to ITS Company Director Kate Coates.

This week Rob and Adam discuss scene painting within scenes, openers, and transitions.  As well as Mitch Marner, ceremonial swords, and the science of revenge.

The Backline launches a new series of mini-episodes called Come Render With Me - a Patreon Exclusive where host Rob Norman directly responds to Patreon questions and comments. In this episode, Rob offers some tips for new coaches and how to navigate tricky personalities on your team.

This week Rob and Adam discuss story-structure, the limitations of modular improv, and how to create simple narratiaves for your improv show. Thanks to Garrett for his contribution to the Backline Mailbag.

This week Rob and Adam discuss nuanced characters, creating active audience members, and avoiding going too big when onstage. Plus, the shame of not feeling enough onstage, some upcoming touring in the fall, and how every improviser is either Superman or Superboy onstage.

This week Rob and Adam discuss emotional gravitas, vulnerability, and channeling darker emotions onstage.  How real can emotions get on an improv stage? Are there any emotions that just aren't funny? What if funny isn't the goal?

This week Rob and Adam discuss finding the fun in physicality, object work for your improv essay and the antidote for Talking Heads Syndrome.  Also covered: playing negative, not judging yourself, and Adam admits he was wrong about stacks/sacks.

Every improviser has experienced "being in your head" and every improv podcast has discussed what it feels like. In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss the opposite, being "in the pocket", as well as, the exciting improv scene of Buffalo New York, softball, and Adam's new Dune-insipired improv catchphrases.

PATREON EXCLUSIVE: This week Rob and Adam discuss receiving quality notes, how to take a note, and ultimately what notes make you a better improviser.

This week Rob and Adam discuss what to do when your improv team breaks up, and how to move forward with the artform you love.  Also, a birthday week, reconnecting after a long break, and the Backline Stacks VS. Sacks 2025 debate.

While there are many different forms of improvisation, there are none more derided than Barprov. This week Rob and Adam discuss crowds, controlling the room, and why improv performed outside of a theatre is classified as it's own format.

This week Rob and Adam pull a handful of questions from the Backline Mailbag to discuss casting an improv show, creating community, building energy throughout a show, teaching a new workshop, and support scenes. Also, the mysteries of Season Nine...

It's the launch of Season 9! Rob and Adam discuss how to start off a monoscene, things to avoid in your initiation, and finding a nonverbal, secret contract between you and your scene partner. Also, we now have a Patreon! Find us at patreon.com/TheBacklinePodcast.

It's the season finale of The Backline.  This episode Adam and Rob reflect, vivisect, and/or project the past, present, and future of improv. We'll be taking a short hiatus, in the meantime feel free to reaach out to @thebacklinepodcast on Instagram for improv questions, or queries.

It seems like there's a billion improv teachers each with their own philosophy, terms and way of improvising.  But what do you do when those ideas contradict each other? Who do you listen to? How do you choose what you to practice onstage? 

To perform comedy, one must be vulnerable - but its incredible difficult to do when surrounded by people who make fun of things for a living. In this episode Rob and Adam discuss vulnerability, courage, likability, and uncynical play.

In this episode, Rob and Adam open up the Backline Mailbag to answer listener questions about Rob's book Improvising Now: A Practical Guide to Modern Improv and the new concept of "The Act of ..."

This week Adam and Rob, use extensive metrics and data (definitely not just their opinion) to determine an ongoing ranking system for all shortform games. 

After a big audition, it's not uncommon to be disappointed with the results. Change can be hard. Lack of change, can be equally demoralizing.  Whether you didn't get onto the team you wanted, or you feel stuck with your current situation, this week Adam and Rob discuss their own feelings about rejection, disappointment, and feeling lost.

Built into the fabric of improv is going with the flow, not thinking ahead, and letting go of control.  But being completely "out of control" isn't a good thing either?  Why do some improvisers want to direct the scene, and others are happy to see what's around the corner?  This week, Rob and Adam discuss the need to control what happens next and how to work around it.

Eventually, every improv professional needs to teach their first class. But what about? How do you pick a topic? How do you make that workshop successful? Is there any pitfalss to avoid?  In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss teaching your first workshop.

Strong characters! It's whatever everyone wants to do onstage.  But how do you do it? What's the difference between a strong characters and a cariacture? How do I avoid stereotypes? What do I do when I run out of things to say?  In this episode, Rob and Adam go over techniques, tricks and tips for better characters.

Can improv be taught? What about funny? What about stage presence? What about "star power"? This episode Rob and Adam discuss what can and cannot be taught in the classroom and the mysterious, and amorphous qualities make for a great improviser.

This episode Rob and Adam discuss the powers of game tape, the shame of watching yourself, and how to challenge yourself to be a better player.