Improv Tips

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. When an audience comes to see an improv show, they already understand that you’re making everything up on the spot. So there’s no need to wink at the audience if you struggle to come up with an idea or stammer over a line. It’s better to attribute the flub to something that’s happening in the scene than to break the audience’s suspension of disbelief by turning a spotlight on it. We all know you’re making this up, but it’s better if no one can believe you’re making it up. That’s your improv tip for the day. Stay safe, stay healthy, love each other, and I will see you next time.

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. On this, the 100th episode of “Improv Tips,” I’m reminded of the Henry Ford quote, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.” I’m not sure that I expected to do 100 episodes, or maybe even that I should do 100 episodes, but here we are. Certainly, if I had thought that I couldn’t put together 100 episodes, I never would have. Like with any endeavor, keeping the mindset that you’ll succeed in your improv is much better practice than assuming you’ll fail. Believe you’ll succeed. That’s your improv tip for the day. Stay safe, stay healthy, love each other, and I will see you the next hundred more times.

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. The audience’s suggestion is only meant to inspire your performance. If the suggestion is “candy,” and that makes me think of candy corn, which makes me think of Halloween, which makes me think of a werewolf, so I start my scene howling at the moon, even though that all happened in my head without the audience’s knowledge, that’s a fair and valid approach. If later in the scene, that werewolf learns that he only turns into the wolf when he eats candy, all the better. But don’t feel the need to explain your inspiration for a scene. If it’s entertaining, that will be good enough for the audience. That’s your improv tip for the day. Stay safe, stay healthy, love each other, and I will see you next time.

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. Asking for a “word, any word,” is fine when you’re soliciting a suggestion, but don’t be surprised if you don’t get suggestions that you like. When people are asked to give a suggestion of a word, they can be overwhelmed with all of the choices of words that they know. On the flip side, if you ask them for their favorite memory, a song lyric, or even something that would fit in a bread box, they’ll likely be quicker to come up with a response. If you direct your audience by asking for suggestions with more specificity, you’ll get better suggestions in return. That’s your improv tip for the day. Stay safe, stay healthy, love each other, and I will see you next time.

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. Don’t betray the audience’s trust by throwing away suggestions. If you don’t get a “good” suggestion, part of that might be how you’re asking for suggestions, but occasionally you’re just going to get a bad suggestion. However, the good news is that you are an improviser. You can make something out of any suggestion and, yes, that includes even the ones that are racist, sexist, or childish. Making something brilliant out of a “bad” suggestion is more respectful of the audience’s trust than throwing that suggestion away or pretending you didn’t hear it. That’s your improv tip for the day. Stay safe, stay healthy, love each other, and I will see you next time.

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. Even though it can be a downright cringy experience, if you get a chance to watch videos of your performances, take it. While watching, don’t second-guess your moves or regret things you said or didn’t say. That will lead only to frustration. But do take the opportunity to observe whether there are any physical moves you make subconsciously that you don’t even notice. I had a physical tic that I didn’t realize I had until I saw it on video. Seeing it helped me be conscious of it so that I could learn to control it. That’s your improv tip for the day. Stay safe, stay healthy, love each other, and I will see you next time.

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. You may dislike popular things, like unpopular things, and just not “get” certain things. Of course you should have your own opinions, and it’s great that you do. But don’t close yourself off to a certain comedian, form, TV show, film, or podcast because of your preconceived notions. You’ll miss out on a lot of great comedy. Keep an open mind to new comedy experiences, and put your pre-judgment away the best that you can. That’s your improv tip for the day. Stay safe and stay healthy, and I will see you next time.

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. Always keep in your mind that improv is a team game. If you want to control every single thing that happens onstage, go do standup. Your improv team is only as strong as its weakest link. Strive to put everyone onstage into the best position to succeed, and work toward making everyone around you look good. By doing so, you’ll elevate the level of play of your entire team, and you’ll make yourself an invaluable teammate. That’s your improv tip for the day. Stay safe and stay healthy, and I will see you next time.

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. It’s important to listen to notes that you get from your fellow improvisers, coaches, and teachers. You may, however, occasionally get notes that directly conflict with other notes you’ve gotten. When that happens, it’s important to remember that notes aren’t necessarily gospel. Improv is very fluid and transitory, and what works well in one set might not work well in the next one. So, listen to notes, but don’t listen blindly. That’s your improv tip for the day. Stay safe and stay healthy, and I will see you next time.

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. Whenever you have to open a cabinet, write on a chalkboard, or paint a wall, put it downstage. The nice part about imagining everything onstage is that there is no actual cabinet, chalkboard, or wall blocking the audience’s view, so you can face them when you’re interacting with those things. Put them downstage, and the audience will be able to see your beautiful face. That’s your improv tip for the day. Stay safe and stay healthy, and I will see you next time.