I’ve been taking beginner improv classes for a few months and I just can’t seem to grasp it. I try to be an active participant but when I open my mouth nothing comes out that’s worthwhile. I’m mostly just agreeing with the other person and leaving the heavy lifting to them.

I feel like I’m just behaving like a dud on stage. My mind is just blank and I know I’m solidifying some bad tendencies. Are there any resources that may help me stand on firmer ground onstage? I would ask the teachers but they’re incredibly supportive and say that anything done on stage is the correct choice. But I need some concrete direction

I realized that one of the biggest blockers I have from fully experiencing the best part of life is social anxiety. I get anxious around new groups of people, especially those from work. I feel so alienated at work and the feeling is a heavy load to carry. I want to feel less socially awkward not just at work, but in my personal life too. I want to be able to think on my feet while being authentic to myself. Will improv help?

Just curious how often people here practice improv

This sub is all about supporting its fellow players! Please use this thread to talk about the shows, classes, and improv events you have coming up, what's got you excited about it, what makes this event unique, what makes it a challenge for you, etc. Also, feel free to promote your shows, classes, and other new improv projects. Since this is an international message board, be sure to include a website or location info for any live events. Hope to see you at the show!

Please note, any local plugs and promos posted outside of this thread may be removed, and the user will be directed here (There's some wiggle room on stuff like sites, podcasts, apps, blogs posted outside this thread, since those are not location-specific).

I've got my first ever improv show tomorrow (a longform), and while rehearsals have gone great and I've really enjoyed it, I'm very nervous about the show. I'm not generally a performer so I'm worried that as soon as I'm in front of a crowd I'm going to freeze up, break too much, or just do bad improv. I'm so nervous I've actually been feeling physically sick, which is weird because I've been excited for this for so long!

Does anyone have any last minute advice?

I know this sub has threads for promoting shows and discussing things we've loved, but is there a place where we can see each other's shows? It would be really cool to see what the scene is like in Chicago vs Sydney vs LA etc.

I live in the UK and have trained in improv here but I'll be staying in Toronto for two months. I'd love to get recommendations for places I could maybe sign up for an improv jam/workshops or beginner clowning classes? Thanks in advance!

I have remained silent for some time, but I feel compelled to address a concerning situation regarding the Space Clash on Clark, which is hosting an event specifically for LGBTQ+ minors, some as young as 12 years old.

EDIT: I would like to clarify, as a few people have reached out, the event (Queer traffic) is NOT an in house event, it is a rental. Please do not send any hate their way as they were probably unaware of these issues/the issues of legality with the space. I was unaware of this at the time and apologize to anyone who was hurt by this.

A friend of mine, who was in the process of producing a show at this venue, shared an email thread that detailed troubling and potentially exploitative behavior by the owner, Conrad/Justin Franzen. The emails contained accounts from individuals in his previous community in Colorado, as well as reports of continued inappropriate actions since his relocation to Chicago. At the time, I encouraged my friend to reconsider her involvement, hoping the issue would resolve itself. However, ongoing reports and my growing concerns for the safety of teams and performers at this venue have prompted me to speak out.

I have learned that the venue operates as a theater in name only and lacks the necessary certifications to do so. The owner appears to be exploiting the desperation of newer and less experienced producers and performers for affordable space. He presents himself as a mentor due to his age and experience, but many have reported that he manipulates the truth.

Numerous individuals associated with the venue have departed due to his lack of transparency and unprofessional behavior. Reports of unkind and exploitative treatment towards staff and a disregard for safety protocols further raise red flags and it’s concerning that he does not seem to take the suggestions for proper inspections and certification seriously. Additionally, there are alarming allegations regarding drug distribution within the space (he runs a separate mushroom-distributing “business”), which poses significant risks to everyone involved.

I urge our community to reconsider producing, performing, or attending events at this venue. While I have hesitated to speak out due to my connections with those involved, the ongoing reports cannot be ignored. The Chicago arts community deserves a safe and supportive environment, free from exploitation.

EDIT: Here are two examples of behavior listed in the email my friend showed me

“A will just relay to you the facts of what has happened in Denver. Justin has been banned from theaters in Denver Including mine. However when he was banned I did not own the theater. He was banned for theft and harassment toward woman. He abused his power and has often use the “N” word in class to black community members and onstage with me once at the Denver Improv festival. Many people from his “community” will come help him look good, but I still believe it to be all smoke and mirrors. I’d be careful with him and keep a watchful eye for the safety of your community. I don’t want to say people can’t change, but I don’t know with this guy. I feel he’s burned his bridges here and is trying to do stuff somewhere else.”

“A few years ago I spoke to someone who wanted to remain anonymous about Justin Franzen. The broad overview is he did not have the ability to keep personal and private matters separate, and didn’t remove conflicts of interest and avoid romantic entanglements with people he has power over who have expressed that they’re not interested in him. I don’t have the greatest memory and I didn’t keep records of the phone call but that is the upshot. I can imagine what that other person said is true, that he has done work on himself since that time”

EDIT: Someone left a comment with important context. Including it here.

“Having worked very closely with one of the owners he roped in over the past year (he brought in 6 owners and 5 of them left within 7 months):

I don’t think he’s sexually harassing people or using the N word anymore.

He does, however, lie, manipulate, and exploit young, impressionable artists. His theater is also a shithole. He left a dildo on the tech desk before a show that wasn’t 18+, and the producer renting the space was livid because he brought his tween daughter. Tech is NEVER good and shows frequently start an hour late. He charges more than Bughouse or other comparable venues. He mixed personal expenses with business expenses and lied about how much it costs to keep the theater running to the other owners. He lied and still lies about the theater being legal. He doesn’t have liability insurance, but the lights frequently don’t work during classes and there was an electrical short that was shocking people, and he thought it was hilarious. He didn’t get it fixed until it destroyed their computer and they couldn’t do tech for a night. And even then, he just fixed it himself and relied on a very kind buddy who just happened to be a master electrician.

And yes, he sells shrooms out of the back of the theater. He wanted to start selling PBR out of the back too, but one of the owners convinced him not to before she left.

I don’t think he’s a shit person, but he’s a terrible theater owner. You could be fined up to $10,000 for performing at a venue that doesn’t have a performance license in Chicago, and you might get electrocuted. He should just be an improviser, but then he wouldn’t get to just chill and smoke weed all day and let desperate new performers pay his rent.”

EDIT: MORE CONTEXT

“Conrad sexually harassed my friend in November of last year. She and her husband both left the theater because of it.”

This thread is about that things have you seen recently that you loved. Did you see a show last weekend that was awesome? Did your teacher give you a note that hit you exactly the right way? Did a teammate do a cross in your scene that made the game super clear? Post about those things here!

Our showcase for friends and family is next week! It's been a fun couple months, I've learned a lot and starting to understand some things about myself.

One thing that always gets to me is getting stressed/worked up and anxious in a scene. It's free, anxious stress and probably (ok maybe definitely) comes from some lack of experience and insecurity. It's chatter.

Sometimes I take a conscious moment to listen actively and breathe but this seems very reactive and is like to stay grounded and comfortable before, during, and after a scene.

I thought to ask here if folks have any tried and true things they do that help keep them relaxed and having fun during performance? What do you do to stay calm while making stuff up on the fly?

Class has been a blast, I've enjoyed all of it, and I'm likely hooked. I'm just trying to keep a focus on improvement in the meantime before classes open up again.

Hi all, I made it onto a Harold team lately so I'd love to get more exposure to the structure. I listen to a bunch of great improv podcasts, but they tend to take the form of interviews/talk shows (e.g., Comedy Bang Bang) or unstructured montages (e.g., Improv4Humans). I don't think I've come across one that performs in the Harold format. Other live improv formats like the Dusty or Pretty Flower would be cool too. Thanks!

Hi. I’m a mom with a toddler and in the past I did some short form improv which I miss doing now. I also want to build a small community of moms and do with them what I like to do and one of these things is improv. I want it to be something informal not as a performance but playful mom-kids group and in my head the idea is the following. The kids (of any age) are basically the audience and they’re free to do make suggestions depending on a game or on the age of them and how good is their language and then mum plays simple games following the suggestion. The idea is that it could boost kids vocabulary too and it’s fun for them to see that they kinda control their mums (or parents in general). But I have no idea where to start, I’m not sure can sure it’ll work like that with kids as kids are usually very chaotic. Also I don’t have a mom friend who did improv. So what would be your advice? Where should I start? I’m thinking just to fine at least one like minded person and try it out. What other nuances or tips?

Many thanks!

Hi Everyone:

I've taken two improv classes so far. One thing I need to improve on is how to be a high status character. I'm not sure if it a personality thing or something else that cause me not to be able to do it. Any tips or tricks would be great thanks.

I am part of a troupe that is now getting to the point where we need to keep our funds separate as we start getting some money (not much) from shows and have expenses to pay. Any recommendations on what to do? Do we sign up with a bank with few of us for a joint account? And if so any recommendations?

Also will having a bank account affect our taxes? (Many of us at sole proprietors already with our own businesses on the side but don’t want mix with the troupe work)

I can’t seem to find much info online or with CRA’s website about how money and taxes work when in a troupe or collective- help! Any advice from anyone who knows about this stuff or who to go to that can give us official answers?

I used to do improv back in the U.S. through a club I joined in college. I even became part of the inner circle of the local improv group in my city, so it was easy to stay connected to the scene there. I recently moved to the Vancouver/Surrey area to broaden my horizons and gain new perspectives. Now, I’d love to get involved with an improv or theater group here. Vancouver, often called the 'Hollywood of Canada,' seems like a fantastic place for it! I really enjoyed being part of an improv group as a college student, especially since theater wasn’t an option in my Korean high school. How can I find an improv group in Vancouver/Surrey?

I am not sure this matter, but I do have full time job to pay for my living cost, and I am not a student, I basically have Canadian PR. I would prefer free if possible, but I can spend up to 100 dollar per month.

Hi! I have a drama group of 10 (11-14 years old) we have 1 month to create a short play, performance the topic of Christmas/preparing for Christmas. In the past we succesfully created performances using this method: 1. Improvising in little groups according to certain promots. 2. Choosing the Best scenes and. develop them. But now we don't have much Time for this and I feel lack of creativity now. Any great propmts/source to use in this topic? What kind of performance would you do?

Hi all! I'm interested in taking a beginner course in improv. I've read that improv can help with self-discovery, public speaking, being present, etc. and wanted to dip my feet in. I've searched this subreddit and have seen that Magnet seems to be more open and focused on being yourself sort of thing whereas UCB is more structured? But since I'm looking at the beginner courses I'm not so sure that it matters too much. I'm also open to other schools that are convenient to access from PATH stops.

Wanted to get all your more experienced thoughts on this!

I've only been to 6 jams in my life vs. way more classes, rehearsals and shows. I know I need to go, I just never seem to find a flow or have success at jams. Is there a certain approach I should take at jams to hopefully break this pattern?

Hi, I'm a drama and creative writing student in the uk. Next week I have a performance to do as my assignment... I'm 3rd year so it weighs heavily on my degree.

I'm doing a 1 woman autobiographical show in the style of postdramatic theatre. It's in similar style to victoria maxwell and bobby baker. My lecturer advised me to improvise but I've never done improvisation on my Own. Any tips? All welcome and appreciated

This sub is all about supporting its fellow players! Please use this thread to talk about the shows, classes, and improv events you have coming up, what's got you excited about it, what makes this event unique, what makes it a challenge for you, etc. Also, feel free to promote your shows, classes, and other new improv projects. Since this is an international message board, be sure to include a website or location info for any live events. Hope to see you at the show!

Please note, any local plugs and promos posted outside of this thread may be removed, and the user will be directed here (There's some wiggle room on stuff like sites, podcasts, apps, blogs posted outside this thread, since those are not location-specific).

Does anybody know any trans improvisers in Seattle? Hi, all. I'm Kate. I'm a trans improviser from Arizona. My wonderful friend Jonah, a trans man, lives in Seattle, and wants to put together an improv team made up of trans improvisers. Do you know any trans improvisers in Seattle? Please have them contact me! You can send me a D.M. on here or on my Instagram, @katetheboredomslayer. I'd love to get them in touch with Jonah so he can launch this exciting new project!

Officially signed up for my first improv class… second city Chicago!! Long time comedy fan, avid SNL viewer… never thought it could be me but I finally asked myself why not? I’m totally out of my comfort zone with this, but gonna give it a shot!

Edit: Thanks so much, everyone, for the support on this post!!!!!! I will definitely follow up with an update!!!

Wow.

Anyone in Melbourne, Australia you must go see something good. I started going to their shows about 2 months ago and now I can't stop. Every week the lineup rotates a bit but everyone they bring on has such character and fits in perfectly. 2 months ago I'd never even been to a show, and now I spend my entire week excited waiting to come to their show, and now I want to start myself they're that inspiring.

https://www.instagram.com/somethinggoodcomedy?igsh=NXVpZ3ZzNXRlbmoz