How to learn improv from a book
Note: This is a reprint of a previous Improv Illusionist newsletter. If you’re not receiving my email newsletter, you can subscribe here and get my “Learning the Improv Illusion” series as a bonus.
Welcome to another issue of the Improv Illusionist Newsletter, a monthly update from me, David Raitt, with a focus on the improv skills of environment, object work, and physicality in character and performance. I’m honoured by your interest.
Hello from Nottingham, UK! I’m at the Robin Hood International Improv Festival, on until Sunday, September 8th.
There are some SERIOUSLY IMPRESSIVE shows and workshops happening here this week. If you’re in the area, don’t miss this incredible opportunity. (And if you know someone who lives nearby, please forward this to them.)
How to read improv books!
I found an old blog post by business author Seth Godin called “How to read a business book”. It’s actually a very useful guide to learning any skill from a book, including improv. You should read the post in full, but here are Seth’s three main points (paraphrased) and my extra thoughts:
Change three things
Decide, before you start, to change three things about your improv. Then, as you’re reading, find the three things and do it.
You learn, absorb, and remember more information by actively engaging with a book than you do by passively reading. If it’s a good book, there will be more than three ideas you’ll want to take away. Limiting yourself to three forces you to analyze them, compare and inquire which is really the most important and applicable to YOU. (Not what the author thinks.) The rest of the ideas will still be there for you to come back to later.
This tip keeps you from rushing to do everything. It’s exciting to learn new improv techniques, and tempting to want to change your style. But that will be difficult, and it may push you into steamrolling others as you try. Experiment with one small idea and see the results. Then choose another, and so on. Keep what works for you instead of bending yourself to fit a completely different model.
Another good practice before reading is to think about why you want to read this book. Look at the table of contents and take a guess at the author’s mindset and what you think you’ll learn. Whether you’re right or wrong, thinking about this in advance helps you engage with the book.
Give yourself marching orders
Use notes and highlights to make marching orders for yourself. Commit to doing them within the next 3 weeks.
Highlights and margin notes are great, but they stay inside the book where they’re easily forgotten. Convert your notes into goals and implementation steps, so you actually put what you read into practice.
For example, suppose you read a great passage about point of view when playing characters. Thinking about how you can put it to use, you could make a note like: “In my next show, try playing a character who’s excessively chatty.” It may seem too simple to bother writing down, but doing so is an active step that motivates you and prompts you into action.
Share with someone else
Share what you read. Get your fellow improvisers in sync so you can work on new ideas together.
Improv is a team sport. If the other people you regularly play with have read the same book, then you can all play more easily with the ideas inside. They will understand the new moves you’re trying and can support you better. And you can all elevate your skills together.
Try an improv book club with your team. It’s a great way to keep learning and growing.
People will say you can’t learn improv from a book. And you can’t, really. But books are fantastic for learning new ideas, techniques, and exercises to try on stage. If you want to get the most from your reading, engage with your books!
Things to Try
Exercises, scenes, and practices to work out your physical improv skills.
- Find an improv book to read. There are dozens of great ones out there, and lots of recommendations to find one that fits your style, whether you want a classic or something more modern. Here’s my ever-growing list of recommendations.
- Another great way to build your improv skills is to see lots of improv shows. Not just the shows at your home theatre, or whatever’s on the same bill the same night you perform. Expand your horizons by visiting different theatres, even different cities. If budget or geography limits your options, find something online to watch.
- Solo exercise: At the Gym. A good object work exercise that also helps you play safely. Show us how you might lift weights at the gym. Try different weights, types, and sizes. Are you using free weights or machines? Use this to practice portraying effort without physically tensing your muscles, which might cause injuries. More about this idea.
More from Improv Illusionist
The Improv Illusionist book – Preview and order info
Improv Exercises for Physical Skills
Improv Books — Reviews & Recommendations
Improv Podcasts — Reviews & Recommendations
News and Links
A rant about chairs
A shout-out to my friend Lloydie, one of the organizers of the Robin Hood Improv Festival. (A few shows left this week, don’t miss it!) Here’s a link to one of my favourite articles from his excellent newsletter.
Notes on narrative
Also at the Robin Hood Festival is Chris Mead, who provided these recent tips on improvised storytelling. Point 15 is Animate Your Stage – a good way to describe using object work to enhance the environment.
Do you have any feedback about Improv Illusionist? Send me a message or just reply to this email. Seriously, I read everything and respond to nearly all of it as my schedule allows.
I’ll be back with my report from the Robin Hood Festival on Thursday, October 3rd.
Ex nihilo!
— Dave
