Improv Update - Your Improv Brain Podcast & Show
Articles and episodes about learning, coaching, and performing improv and comedy. Some of these articles will specifically consider the cognitive aspects of performing improv & comedy (stage or digital).
Better communication means better improv (four steps to great improv)
Hello improvisers, If you're neurodivergent, you may have experienced your fair share of misunderstandings in life. And probably when it comes to doing improv in our respective communities, theaters and/or teams. And because of masking and that exhausting effort we know pretty well, it can be difficult to receive the support we need in the community. That we even might need support at all (how many of you have seen that look of disbelief there's even an issue in the first place? or like... I...
Mind Go Blank in a Scene? A 3-Step Reboot for Your Improv Brain
Hello improvisers! More improv resources for you! This week I put out a new episode about things you can do when your mind goes blank when you're doing a scene. If you think a process to have on hand is useful - keep reading (or you can watch on YouTube). Mind Blank in a Scene? A 3-Step Reboot for Your Brain One of the most common fears for any performer is that moment in a scene when your mind becomes a white, empty room. Your scene partner says a line, you open your mouth to respond, and...
The Pain of Learning Improv: What to Assess, How to Respond
Hello improvisers! Another new episode this week, this one about how difficult it can be to learn improv as a new skill. Or heck, even one that you are layering on top of similar related skills. It's not easy for most of us! Also, neurodivergent improvisers, I have a special note for us in this week's episode. So check it out! Here's a summary of what to expect and where to find the episode. The Pain of Learning Improv: What to Assess, How to Respond Learning any new skill, especially a...
Get out of your head AND add specifics to an improv scene? It's possible.
Hello improvisers, A new video and podcast dropped this week about getting out of your head, and while doing so, adding specifics easily to a scene without having to "think". Free flow improv while dropping many details and specifics in there effortlessly? Yep! A source of improv ideas in the scene (and you don't gotta think on your feet) In any system, technically, output is dependent on input. And this can be really easy to forget when you're busy being creative. We might end up forcing it...
Improv Burnout? Prioritizing Yourself for Better Performance
Hello improvisers! Another episode of Your Improv Brain is out, and this week I'm talking about how I take care of myself to sustain yourself in scenes and on teams a bit better. Maybe something in this episode will resonate somewhere about something. Improv Burnout? The Truth About "Selfishness" & Comedy Performance Many of us in creative communities, especially the people-pleasing, team-focused world of improv, might have internalized the idea that constant agreeability and putting the...
Playing Grounded, Reasonable Improv Characters
Hello improvisers! The Improv Update newsletters are back. I have rebranded the show with a new name, and all of my improv content from two sites is now merged into a single site: ImprovUpdate.com. I have a new episode of the show for you this week, too! It is now offered as a YouTube show, if you prefer visuals, and as a podcast. Ep 24 - Grounded Improv Characters - Is "Just Be Yourself" Enough? When learning improv, many of us are are given a piece of advice for playing the grounded...
Is an inner monologue useful for improv comedy? (ft. NYC improviser Sabrina Banes)
Hello improvisers! The neurodiversity in improv newsletters are back. I have rebranded the show with a new name, and all of my improv content is now at a single site, ImprovUpdate.com. I have a new episode of the show for you this week, too! It is now offered as a YouTube show, if you prefer visuals, and as a podcast. Ep 23 - Is an inner monologue useful for improv comedy? (ft. NYC improviser Sabrina Banes) Many improvisers are familiar with the well-intentioned advice to “get out of your...
Articles and episodes about learning, coaching, and performing improv and comedy. Some of these articles will specifically consider the cognitive aspects of performing improv & comedy (stage or digital).