Any tips on improv interaction? (e.g. how to stop people doing a “comedy bit”)
Robert Turner from Norwich, England asked this question. And it’s a good one.
Controlling others
Here are a few thoughts. Controlling others is a lose-lose proposition. If you do it… they feel resentful and the audience can see the tension between the performers. And the scene becomes about the struggle for control instead of a story. This happens so much improv. It can be easier to ‘fight’ with a fellow performer about control of a scene than it is to move a scene forward; into the unknown.
If you are having a problem with ‘comedy bits’, can your group talk about the ‘purpose’ or ‘mission’ of your group? And uncover the group attitude towards ‘bits’?
If this is not possible, and you don’t like bits… don’t play with people who do. Yep… simply leave the stage. You can do it politely and within the context for the scene but get out of there. After the show your fellow performers may (not always) come to you and ask you where you went. That’s the time to tell them that you don’t like doing bits. If they don’t (just as likely) you need to tell them how you felt. But don’t expect an apology. Consider it information that they need to hear, not agree with.
If you tell them that you don’t enjoy the ‘comedy bits,’ be sure to follow it with what you like to do. Otherwise you may find yourself in a defensive conversation.
Who can you control?
The challenge and joy of improvisation is finding a place with yourself, your fellow performers and the audience where you can collaborate and create in the moment. Play. So the challenge is how to play together. And the tough love advice is: You are the only one than can change. You can’t change others. So ask yourself: How do I find a way to play with (name of improviser here) ?
Robert wrote back and said that his concern was less with ‘comedy bits’ and more with flow.
This is a tough one. One performer’s ‘flow’ is another performer’s ‘interruption’.
A conversation about ‘purpose’ and ‘mission’ might help surface these values. Does your group have a mission statement? A value proposition?
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Thanks.