Improv Mantra

[Holmes]

I feel like each and every improv performer develops his or her own unique point of view or strategy; each person takes what they've learned from different teachers and experiences and books to create their own take on improv.

What is your improv mantra?

If you had to condense your improv philosophy into a succinct message, what would that be?

[Amie? Amie!]

This has changed for me over time, mostly due to whatever recent experiences in classes and workshops I've had. Lately I'm wild about character and I've been really focusing on discovering who I am in a scene.

[Holmes]

I will concur that stories are about the people in them.

[kristenschier]

do whatever you think is the most fun
- sometimes i don't do this, but i am pretty sure i always have a great show when i do -
a cautionary note may need to be added: respecting the ideas others bring to the table - and having fun with them too

[Loki]

There isn't one singular mantra, as my overall philosophy shifts and adapts as I do more and learn different approaches. Still there are some simple notes I've heard over the years that have remained with me and at the forefront of my mind. Two of my favorites came from Joe Bill and Mark Sutton, respectively:

- Don’t find the game. There’s always a fucking game. Decide what your shit is and use that to inspire instead of burden.
- Don’t play to the top of your intelligence; play to the top of your character’s integrity.


And if I ever feel lost or drifting, I center myself on the same thing I've heard from Matt Holmes for years:

- Do something. Do it more. Make it bigger.

[amutepiggy]

for a while now I have believed that improv is the art of pretending that what just happened, was exactly what was supposed to have happened.

i think that i have come to believe that improv is the art of knowing that what just happened, was exactly what was supposed to have happened.

[Holmes]

Do something. Do it more. Do it bigger.

There are subtle variations and tactics for how to apply that in different situations, as well as different tones and techniques for how and why to do that, but I think it all boils down to getting out there on stage and doing anything (without hesitation) while your partner(s) do the same and then doing more of what we've all just seen and then doing it bigger.
Having fun is a great tip. Respecting and using whatever happens and whatever your partners give you is a great tip. Being real and having strong reactions might help you. Being aware of how storytelling is centered around characters helps, etc.

But it's all just doing something and sticking with it and investing in it and making it grow so it's not just the same thing ten times until the lights go off.

[amutepiggy]

That's why I work with you, dude.
By doing something and repeating it with confidence, you're confirming the truth of the world you've created.

You're all like, "Yeah, we knew that was supposed to happen." And the audience is all like, "Whoah, did they write that or whatever?" And then you're all like, "No. We didn't." Craaaaaazy, man.