The Backline

The Backline episodes:

• 04.25.2024

  Five Sweet Spots

  In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss DEAFO - a new system for creating more dynamic, intersting stage pictures.  Also on this episode, heightening through proximity, and intentionally throwing your scene off-kilter. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 04.15.2024

  Crazytown

  Amongst the many terms improvisers have invented to describe a bad scene, "Crazytown" might be the most evocative.  This week Rob and Adam discuss scenes that try to do too much, too soon - and how to prevent your scenes...

  
• 04.03.2024

  SOS (Save Our Scene)

  Rob and Adam discuss what to do when a scene fails, how to fail gracefully, and how to get a struggling scene back on track. Also on the episode: recent travels across the US, Rob's artistic residency in Sweden, the...

  
• 02.28.2024

  Inventing the Who What Where

  In this epsiode, Rob and Adam discuss what to do if you are obligated to create the who, what, where in the first 30 seconds of your scene. How much information should you add? How much room should you leave...

  
• 01.17.2024

  improvfestivals

  This week Rob and Adam chat about improv festivals: how to run it, how to market it, and the small perks that make it all worthwhile. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 01.09.2024

  First Time Format

  We all know the Harold, and The Montage - but what's in the in-between? Are there some formats better for new players than others? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 12.26.2023

  The Holiday Special

  In the final rundown of 2023, Rob and Adam share the gifts of what's making them feel thankful this holiday season. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 12.06.2023

  The Right Mistakes

  Improv dogma tells us, "Mistakes are a gift" but are they always ... Certainly, there are miskakes you can make that derail, confuse, or even ruin a scene. So are there some moves that are better than others? Brought to...

  
• 11.27.2023

  How to Launch a Show

  Not making a team can be frustrating. Not being hired by your local troupe or theatre can be heartbreaking, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave your improv journey in the hands of those theatres. Brought to you By:...

  
• 11.22.2023

  Let’s Go to the Bar

  This week Rob and Adam discuss team bonding, alternatives to rehearsals, and if you can get better at improv by just being friends with your team. Also, an important letter from THE BACKLINE MAILBAG, featuring John from Wisconsin. Brought to you...

  
• 11.08.2023

  Deconstructing the Deconstruction

  This week we open up The Backline Mailbag and answer your questions about the longform format The Deconstruction. Also discussed: Future Favors the Bold, types of longform openers, 2-person improv, Cubism, and so much more. Brought to you By: The Sonar...

  
• 10.26.2023

  The Power of Object Work

  This week, Rob and Adam open up the Backline Mailbag to answer your questions. In this episode, you'll learn about object work and why it's neccessary, building constructs from character, and why physicality can be so hard for new improvisers....

  
• 10.23.2023

  How to Support (and Agitate) Your Partner

  We've all heard the expression "Support your partner", in this episode Rob and Adam discuss support, agitation, heightening through proximity, and dynamics.  PLUS Martin Short, comedy criticism, 2000 AD and Jeopardy.  Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 10.18.2023

  Starting Something New

  Adam and Rob return for a new season of The Backline! This week Rob and Adam chat about beginning scenes, deals, the moment before, Johnstonian platforms, UCB initations, and so much more. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 01.04.2023

  End of the Scene

  For the final episode of the season, Rob and Adam discuss ending scenes from within the scenes, how to pull edits, and what a satisfying ending might look like. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 01.04.2023

  End of the Scene

  For the final episode of the season, Rob and Adam discuss ending scenes from within the scenes, how to pull edits, and what a satisfying ending might look like. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 12.15.2022

  Down With Warm-Ups

  Warm-ups are an essential part of any show or class. This week, Rob and Adam discuss types of warm-ups, why we do them, and what it means to warm-up before a show. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 12.15.2022

  Down With Warm-Ups

  Warm-ups are an essential part of any show or class. This week, Rob and Adam discuss types of warm-ups, why we do them, and what it means to warm-up before a show. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 12.08.2022

  The Bullet

  What does it mean to go first in an improv show? How does it affect the way you play? This week Rob and Adam are back to discuss cold rooms, running orders, and the selfless act of going first Brought to...

  
• 12.08.2022

  The Bullet

  What does it mean to go first in an improv show? How does it affect the way you play? This week Rob and Adam are back to discuss cold rooms, running orders, and the selfless act of going first Brought to...

  
• 10.02.2022

  Creativity

  This week, Rob and Adam discuss the shortcuts improvisers use to make a scene work and how true creativity might be the cost of using these shortcuts. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 10.02.2022

  Creativity

  This week, Rob and Adam discuss the shortcuts improvisers use to make a scene work and how true creativity might be the cost of using these shortcuts. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 09.22.2022

  Imposter Syndrome

  In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss feeling like you don't belong, ego trips, and knowing your own worth. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 09.22.2022

  Imposter Syndrome

  In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss feeling like you don't belong, ego trips, and knowing your own worth. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 09.08.2022

  The Mantra

  This week Rob and Adam discuss how to create characters, why space is necessary to find a character's point of view, and the instant invocation known as the Mantra. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 09.08.2022

  The Mantra

  This week Rob and Adam discuss how to create characters, why space is necessary to find a character's point of view, and the instant invocation known as the Mantra. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 08.26.2022

  Direct Energy

  In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss confusion around "energy", what it means, and what happens when you direct your intention at your scene partner. Also, Adam reveals his recipe for the perfect breakfast sandwich. Brought to you By: The Sonar...

  
• 08.26.2022

  Direct Energy

  In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss confusion around "energy", what it means, and what happens when you direct your intention at your scene partner. Also, Adam reveals his recipe for the perfect breakfast sandwich. Brought to you By: The Sonar...

  
• 08.26.2022

  Finding Your Partner

  This week Rob and Adam talk all things duo! From finding the right partner, to making scenes work, to the dangers of playing a 2-person show! Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 08.26.2022

  Finding Your Partner

  This week Rob and Adam talk all things duo! From finding the right partner, to making scenes work, to the dangers of playing a 2-person show! Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 07.29.2022

  Translation

  There are thousands of improv theatres and schools across the globe, each with their own style of improv. How do you find common ground onstage? How much can you expect of your scene partner? Is anything constant on all...

  
• 07.29.2022

  Translation

  There are thousands of improv theatres and schools across the globe, each with their own style of improv. How do you find common ground onstage? How much can you expect of your scene partner? Is anything constant on all...

  
• 07.22.2022

  Burns

  This episode Rob and Adam, discuss burns, roasts, and barbs. Also, why we burn, who to burn, and why saying mean things isn't always an act of cruelty. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 07.22.2022

  Burns

  This episode Rob and Adam, discuss burns, roasts, and barbs. Also, why we burn, who to burn, and why saying mean things isn't always an act of cruelty. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 07.08.2022

  So We Bought An Improv School

  In this episode, Rob and Adam fantasize about building a training centre. What does it look like? Who are the teachers? Who are the students? Also: the internet is bad, The Secret of Mana, and improv shows where other...

  
• 07.08.2022

  So We Bought An Improv School

  In this episode, Rob and Adam fantasize about building a training centre. What does it look like? Who are the teachers? Who are the students? Also: the internet is bad, The Secret of Mana, and improv shows where other...

  
• 07.01.2022

  The Cape Boys

  This week's episode asks "Should improv jams be free?" and the result is a conversation about class disparity, improv whales, and the improv cape boys. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 07.01.2022

  The Cape Boys

  This week's episode asks "Should improv jams be free?" and the result is a conversation about class disparity, improv whales, and the improv cape boys. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 06.23.2022

  What is My Improv Type?

  This week Rob and Adam discuss: the First, the Second, and the Cross. As well as glue players, directors, and grinders. Also, Adam's mind is blown when Rob tells a story about jumping in a lake. Brought to you By: The...

  
• 06.23.2022

  What is My Improv Type?

  This week Rob and Adam discuss: the First, the Second, and the Cross. As well as glue players, directors, and grinders. Also, Adam's mind is blown when Rob tells a story about jumping in a lake. Brought to you By: The...

  
• 06.11.2022

  Live From Dallas Comedy Club

  This week, join host Corey Whaley as he interviews Rob and Adam about improv, modern art, and everything in between as part of the DCC Pod. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 06.11.2022

  Live From Dallas Comedy Club

  This week, join host Corey Whaley as he interviews Rob and Adam about improv, modern art, and everything in between as part of the DCC Pod. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 06.03.2022

  Rules

  "Improv rules, but then also there's improv rules." This week Rob and Adam, discuss the history of improv rules, what's necessary in an improv scene, and how to not get bogged by our artform's long history. Brought to you...

  
• 06.03.2022

  Rules

  "Improv rules, but then also there's improv rules." This week Rob and Adam, discuss the history of improv rules, what's necessary in an improv scene, and how to not get bogged by our artform's long history. Brought to you...

  
• 06.02.2022

  225 - Is Improv American?

  In this episode, Adam and Rob look backwards to the origins of improv, how it spread across the world, and what's the difference between an American and a Canadian improviser.

  
• 06.02.2022

  224 - Hacks

  In this episode Rob and Adam discuss the phenomenon of hack jokes, the ethics of stand-up, and comedy's modernist sensibilities.

  
• 06.02.2022

  Threesome

  This week's episode delves into the world of three-person scenes, how they differ from duoprov, and the power of team dynamics. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 06.02.2022

  Threesome

  This week's episode delves into the world of three-person scenes, how they differ from duoprov, and the power of team dynamics. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

  
• 06.02.2022

  Mindset

  "Improv rules, but then also there's improv rules." This week Rob and Adam, discuss the history of improv rules, what's necessary in an improv scene, and how to not get bogged by our artform's long history. Brought to you...

  
• 06.02.2022

  Mindset

  "Improv rules, but then also there's improv rules." This week Rob and Adam, discuss the history of improv rules, what's necessary in an improv scene, and how to not get bogged by our artform's long history. Brought to you...