What if the thing we call art is just something humans learned to take seriously after we got too old to call it play? A toddler grabs a crayon when she’s upset and starts scribbling. A teenager puts on headphones and disappears into a song. An exhausted lawyer takes a weeklong music class and suddenly…
Tag: creativity
BEEP! MEEP! It’s Not What You Say: Chuck Jones and the Hidden Architecture of Comedy
With the release of Coyote vs. Acme, the creator of its title character has been at the forefront of my mind. Chuck Jones is a comedy legend and he knew something that takes some comedians a lifetime to figure out. The man who gave us Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Wile E. Coyote, who crafted…
The Improviser’s Job: The Three (or 4) Parts of a Great Improviser
I often think of the improviser’s job as consisting of three different parts, but using those three parts, you then must do a fourth thing, so maybe it’s really four? I’ll let you be the judge. In my opinion (and it’s just my opinion), an individual improviser is simultaneously a writer, an actor, and a director, but they…
How to Start an Improv Scene: Premise and Discovery
I approach an improv scene in one of two ways, what I will call: premise and discovery. Premise Improv Let’s start with “premise.” When you start an improv scene with an idea about what you want the scene to be about, you’re starting with a premise. Your job is to efficiently and effectively communicate this…
(try not to) SAY SOMETHING FUNNY!
I’m guessing it happens to every improviser at least once, and if you’re anything like me it happens a hell of a lot more than that: you’re on stage with a scene partner or two and you’re waiting for your turn to talk and you’re ready to talk because you thought of something to say…
Object Work in Improv
Object work: the oft overlooked and under-practiced piece of the fully armed improv arsenal. So many improv scenes, especially in an improviser’s beginner years, are what I call, “talking head scenes.” The two players in the scene usually stand 2-3 feet apart near the middle of the stage and proceed to have a conversation. All…
Improv Books – My Recommendations
The Classics When I first started doing improv, these were pretty much the only books out there. They have their uses, but they are most interesting to me as historical perspective. The History The Practical Guides These are the books that I refer back to the most when I feel stuck in a rut. Some…
Tag! You’re it!: Why Teachers and Adults Should Join in Tag Games
We all know that play is an essential part of childhood. It’s how kids learn, develop social skills, and have fun. However, when it comes to games like tag, many adults often find themselves on the sidelines, watching kids run and laugh. But what if I told you that teachers and adults can reap numerous…
The Transformative Power of Improv: Your Ticket to a More Vibrant Life
In a world where the days blend together and digital screens dictate our interactions, we all crave something more. Something that breaks the routine, forges deeper connections, and lights the fire of personal growth. Enter the world of improvisational comedy, or improv, an extraordinary journey waiting for anyone willing to take the leap. You don’t…
Play for a Lifetime: How Fun and Games Can Slow the Aging Clock
Play is often associated with childhood, but as we age, it becomes increasingly clear that play should never be relegated to our youth alone. In fact, play can be a powerful antidote to the aging process, offering a wealth of benefits for our physical health, mental acuity, and emotional well-being. Let’s explore how play can…