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Hi everyone,

I will be starting a duo show quite soon (hopefully !)

I want to have something like
- 2 short forms (1-7 min)
- One mono-form (1-3 min)
- A longer form (10-20 min)
- One mono-form (1-3 min)
- 2 short forms (1-7 min)

What I call 'mono-form' are forms performed by only one comedian.

Do you have ideas on fun things to do with one comedian ?
Since it shoud be happening multiple times I'd like to have options.

English is not my native language so I hope you understood my question XD

Thanks a lot !

There's a well known backhanded compliment in theater that if a play was bad that you say "you knew all your lines", similarly I've heard people say about improv "looks like you had fun up there", anyone else heard (or given, no judgements) passive aggressive ways to say "good try, sport"?

I read Will Hines’ recent article (above) and thought back over the cities I’ve lived in. In Boston (and this is fully 20 years ago) Improv: The Musical was a hit. In SF, Your F@#*ed Up Relationship (audience interviewee Armando) was - and remains - a hit. In Denver, Mouse Couch (organic longform with is a hit - and art - for improvisers and Hit n Run (musical narrative) is a hit - and art - for non-improvisers.

So… what’s a hit where you live?

Want to do a board game night/ card game with my group. I want some recommendations that are fun but also a little creative. Something that our improv brains are already good at but will be even better with characters or charades.

I'm pretty new to improv and looking to improve. Being in the uni's improv student club, we constantly get new people who are inexperienced and when playing with them, I sometimes struggle to receive a gift that's not really clear or strong (like vaguely looking at something or doing an unclear activity that I can't parse). Sometimes I'm that person as well and I'm working on that. However, when I play with a good improviser, they always manage to take my gift, however weak or unclear, and turn it into something we can both work with.

What are some tips you could give, that would allow me to do that and turn weak gifts into strong ones?

I've got a troupe I've been with for a few years now. I genuinely like them all, and we're a nice balance for each other with a reasonable level of talent. On the whole, we're on the same page with how committed we are to being in shows, continuing training, etc. But I'm getting frustrated at our lack of format.

In general, when we do shows, we do a montage. Sometimes with a theme. It feels unprofessional to me not to have a format with more structure - I'm genuinely embarrassed to go on stage and just wing it over and over, especially when we're in multi-group shows and the other groups have some kind of structure. I feel like our troupe's reputation is suffering.

Recently, we did a show where we did originally have a rough plan. We were doing a modified known form at the top, and then working on some specific types of characters. But whenever I would ask for confirmation that was what we had planned, or how to get the get, etc., the other members would say things like "I'm sure we'll figure it out as we go" and "we know what we're doing - it'll just work out" and then sure enough...by the end of the run, we were just doing montage again.

So I'm wondering a few things. First, how unprofessional *does* it look for a troupe to go out and do montage every time? Second, even if that's perfectly fine, should I be trying to find a different troupe that's more interested in formalizing a structure, or do I need to lighten up?

I always have a hard time finding out about improv festivals. I feel like I hear about a lot of them after they've happened or submissions are closed. This resource seems to aim to centralize an updated list of them, but it doesn't seem like anyone's updated it in a while: https://www.theimprovnetwork.org/festival-upcoming/ Would be cool if r/improv could have a list of upcoming improv festivals.

I'm in a lot of improv FB groups, but still feel like I'm missing out on hearing about a lot of festivals. Anyone know of any coming up, maybe this spring/summer? I'd love to submit for some and do a little travelling for the love of the 'prov.

Thanks in advance!

I can't find my notes on this so hopefully someone can help. There's a book or 2 on improv and the arts being used in prisons. Anyone know the names? Thanks!

I've been lucky enough to travel the world over the past couple of years, meeting improvisers in different cities and immersing myself in their communities. It's been an amazing experience overall, but there’s one thing I keep hearing from nearly every group I meet, regardless of location: the improv world is full of cliques.

Improv is supposed to be about collaboration, spontaneity, and inclusion—creating in the moment with openness and trust. But the reality, at least from what I’ve observed and heard, is that many groups operate like closed circles. People work only with their chosen few and bar outsiders, intentionally or not.

Even in my home city, I’ve noticed the same thing. New ideas, different modes of work, or just fresh faces aren’t always welcomed with open arms. Instead, there’s a tendency to stick with familiar structures, methods, and people. And sometimes, it seems like this is about control—about keeping things predictable or ensuring certain people stay in charge.

But isn’t improv supposed to be the opposite of this? It’s about saying "yes," building together, and leaving ego behind. No one should be the boss in improv—everyone should be equal contributors in the moment. And yet, it often feels like everyone is trying to be in charge, whether it's through deciding who gets included or by sticking rigidly to "their" way of doing things.

This dynamic sucks. It discourages creativity, stifles new voices, and makes the space feel far less welcoming than it should be. If improv is about connection, why are so many communities stuck in this "us versus them" mentality?

I’d love to hear from others about their experiences. Have you noticed these dynamics in your improv community? How do we break this cycle and create spaces where anyone can feel free to contribute, grow, and collaborate?

Happy thanksgiving folks! Visiting family in St.Paul. As it’s my mission to check out the improv scene in each city I visit, I was wondering where the shows/hangs are at. Any theaters I should check out on a Friday? Thanks in advance.

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).

Edit 2: My point is to show that not all troupes would handle things the way they were. A more mature troupe would try a rational conversation first.

Edit: What actually happened was the other leadership went behind their back and called a meeting where they were ambushed (didn't have a clue that anything was wrong) and told they were off the team. They could have appealed to the parent organization but decided to walk away. But this screws them over. There is another local team they could do open swims with but the other leadership goes to them as well and because of the betrayal, they don't ever want to do improv with them even in an informal setting. They are focusing on other things because they are relocating in a few months and can find a new improv team to work with.

You have a performer on your team who is the most senior member. They are going into their second year of leadership. They mean well and have the troupe's best interests at heart but they can come off as controlling. Since this member has been leadership, social media presence has increased, the troupe has performed more shows both locally and have traveled. This person has booked rehearsal and performance spaces, arranged lodging for an out of state trip, and lead the effort for acquiring team jerseys. So, results were positive but the other leaders would like more of a say. What actions would you take? Once I have your responses, I will tell you what happened. This isn't about me but someone who I care about.

What’s up wonderful people! I’m considering going all in on comedy again. I’m in Los Angeles and have a descent job that’s 7:30 a.m. to 4 ( sales, a lot of focus, and staring at a screen ) I can pursue comedy here or I could move to Chicago which is closer to Cincinnati to be close to family and has the Second City to train at. I’m wondering which would be a better decision for the next 5 years. Can anybody help?

Improv can be so much fun - it can be the perfect thing to play with the family at the Thanksgiving Table (especially if uncomfortable conversations come up and politics). The games I like are Did-ya-ever. and Word at a Time Life Motto. What are your go-to games to play with family and friends?

I'm an improviser and Professor of Business, Marketing & Tourism who is teaching a 3-credit class next term called, Improv For Life Skills, combining the practice of improv and its application to life.

I'm looking for book recommendations that connect the skills we use in improv (listening, collaboration, saying yes, supporting, spontaneity, creative thinking, etc...).

Books I have tried in the past were too closely connected to the workplace specifically. As this is a liberal arts course, I would like to have a wider purview.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! I have a solo improv show I've taken to multiple improv festivals, and its done pretty well so far. I recently submitted my show for the Orlando Fringe Festival. I'm curious to know if anyone here has taken their shows to fringe festivals and what your experiences have been like. Any advice you think would be helpful? I've maybe gone to see one or two fringe festival shows, but I've never been in one. Thanks!

Hey there! I'm coming in having taken classes with PIT and am looking to take another class in the new year. It looks like the next level at PIT is not running on a night where I could attend, but a Magnet class at the same level is. Would Magnet accept prerequisites from PIT (and vice-versa if I go back to PIT at some future date)? I've been trying to find anything referencing this online but haven't gotten any explicit confirmations/denials that they would.

When I was IN high school, I started the Comedy Sportz team and as team captain I coached and trained new players. I passed my improv bible (the CSz manual) to the next captain and 20 years later find myself in need of it. It's not coming back, so I was looking for a simple guide or manual for improv that would help me coach a new high school team. Something that lays out objectives, rules, games, etc...

Seems like too many. Even 8 feels like a lot.

I'm going to teach little kids (5-9yrs) an improv/drama/acting workshop that needs to be about getting over failure, imagination, expressing emotions and movement without judgement. I have a lot of good short games but the problem is I first have separate sessions with 5-7yo and 8-9 yo, and THEN a joint session after 2 hours of another activity.

How do I design the second session so that the day is not just about short exercises but a more cohesive set?

Hello! I'm looking to do an intermediate level improv course but I am struggling to find anything out there that either doesn't make you start at Level 1, or is expert level. I have many years of acting & sketch comedy training, and though I have done improv I have never done any formal training in it (hence why I want to do a class). I know many schools say Level 1 is vital as every school has their own method, but I do not have to time or budget to go through six levels.

"Improv for Actors" at SS caught my eye as its only two levels and you have to have formal acting training to do it (which I do), but theres also very little about it anywhere online. Is it a comedy course, or an acting course? Does it still centre around the 'game' and harold or is it more how to 'use' improv to make your acting better (I'm only interested in the former). Also doing this allows you to audition for their conservatory program (unsure if thats something I want to do but being able to have the audition is a nice cherry on top).

I will be traveling next year and which city I will be going to will probably be centred around this - looking at places like London, Toronto, LA (gross) or NYC. Happy if the course(s) are long (preferably under 6 months).

Thanks!

I run a large festival in Europe and we're about to start putting together merch for the upcoming fest. I'm curious - what do you like? What would you like to see? Any pet peeves?

If it makes a difference, the festival is in a rainy place in winter, so beanies and (unbranded) rain ponchos are already on the list 😂

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!

Hey all! I grew up working at ComedySportz, did college improv, went to grad school to get several theatre degrees, so I like to say I know a little bit about a lot of things.

Recently, as somebody who was trained for a decade on ALWAYS BE FUNNY games-based short form, I'm kind of over it and I've realized that I really want to explore other types and forms, in particular, "what would happen if nothing funny happened but there was a very real moment between two very real characters or maybe even something very sad happened".

I heard about Impro Theatre and reached out via their class form but haven't heard anything back, and I also looked into what James Mastraieni is running as well and plan to sign up when my schedule frees up b/c I don't want to miss classes for prior commitments.

I'd love recommendations on classes, trainings, theatres, teams or other things to check out. I'm based in NoHo but I'm willing to go pretty much anywhere for the right fit.

Doing my first “twoprov” in a few weeks.

I’m so incredibly nervous I could throw up. The way I get through improv nerves is remembering I’m on a team and we all have each other’s backs and I don’t have to be in every scene and if we are stuck in a scene one of my teammates will come save us.

A lot of those mantras feel thrown out the window with twoprov. I gotta be up there for 20 fucking minutes??!!

Any advice is appreciated!

I'm not from the US, and I did some research about the 3 big improv schools: Groundlings, Second City, UCB.

From what I've read, it seems that UCB and The Second City are more about long form improv, and The Groundlings are teaching short form improv and character work.

How accurate is that information?

And are there any online classes I can take?