On Getting Better
Everyone gets to a point where they feel like they’ve plateaued. The good news is that once you do break out of the stall you usually see a big jump in fun. Of course, it can be hard to crack that nut.
Take a break
It’s easy to make your whole social life improv. But improv performance based on a life that’s centered on performing improv can get navel-gazy very quickly. This causes stalls. Do non-improv things! Join a kickball league! Learn how to play crokinole! Book club! Bocce ball! Go to every museum in your town!
Know where you're at
What are your go-to characters? What kind of scenes do you tend to initiate? Do you build similar relationships? Do you build similar relationships with particular other people?
It’s the worst, but record sets and watch how you perform. Ask you coach and teachers to describe your style of play. What do they think your strengths and weakness are?
Think about what you want
After reflecting on what you’re doing, what your instincts are, brainstorm the aspects of your performance you want to work on. Typical areas that come up for players are things like:
Be more intentionally physical (stagecraft, object work, environmental)
“Get out of my head”
Stop writing scenes
Supporting scenemates
More types of characters
Genre exploration
Avoiding arguments
More effective editing
It’s amazing how helpful writing out a list like this can help.
Don't just focus on your gaps
Difficult but freeing truth: Not all performers can do everything. Everyone has different talents, different things that are comfortabe and easy to do. I think, especially for improvisors that have experience, that if you’re going to spend time and money on getting better you are better off honing the things that you know you enjoy doing. Of course I’m not saying try new things. But I think there can be tendency for people focus on trying to be a improvisor generalist instead of leaning into their strengths.
Let people know
Let your coach know, let your teammates know. They will support you. Plus, being open about what you’re working on will let other people open up about what they want to work on.
After shows and rehearsal chat with your coach about your goals, keep it visible!
Leave it backstage
If you’re playing shows, please don’t sit on the sideline thinking about all the things you’re working on. Not the time. Eyes on the ball! You will internalize things soon enough. Which brings me to…
You might not notice a difference
You can work on a topic for months and feel like nothing has changed. Likely it has! This is why communication with your coach/team is so important.
It’s going to be hard for you to notice for yourself because you only improve when the new ideas are second nature. And at that point you’re not noticing all the new decisions you’re making in the moment you wouldn’t before.
