This week Rob and Adam discuss what to do when your improv team breaks up, and how to move forward with the artform you love.  Also, a birthday week, reconnecting after a long break, and the Backline Stacks VS. Sacks 2025 debate.

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

While there are many different forms of improvisation, there are none more derided than Barprov. This week Rob and Adam discuss crowds, controlling the room, and why improv performed outside of a theatre is classified as it’s own format.

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This week Rob and Adam pull a handful of questions from the Backline Mailbag to discuss casting an improv show, creating community, building energy throughout a show, teaching a new workshop, and support scenes. Also, a mystery.

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

It’s the launch of Season 9! Rob and Adam discuss how to start off a monoscene, things to avoid in your initiation, and finding a nonverbal, secret contract between you and your scene partner. Also, we now have a Patreon! Find us at patreon.com/TheBacklinePodcast.

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

It’s the season finale of The Backline.  This episode Adam and Rob reflect, vivisect, and/or project the past, present, and future of improv. We’ll be taking a short hiatus, in the meantime feel free to reaach out to @thebacklinepodcast on Instagram for improv questions, or queries.

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

It seems like there’s a billion improv teachers each with their own philosophy, terms and way of improvising.  But what do you do when those ideas contradict each other? Who do you listen to? How do you choose what you to practice onstage? This week, Rob and Adam discuss competing philosophies, building your own artistic practice, and so much more.

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To perform comedy, you have to be vulnerable – but its incredible difficult to do so when surrounded by people who make fun of things for a living. In this episode Rob and Adam discuss vulnerability, courage, likability, and uncynical play.

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In this episode, Rob and Adam open up the Backline Mailbag to answer listener questions about Rob’s book Improvising Now: A Practical Guide to Modern Improv and the new concept of “The Act of …”

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This week Adam and Rob, use extensive metrics and data (definitely not just their opinion) to determine an ongoing ranking system for all shortform games. 

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After a big audition, it’s not uncommon to be disappointed with the results. Change can be hard. Lack of change, can be equally demoralizing.  Whether you didn’t get onto the team you wanted, or you feel stuck with your current situation, this week Adam and Rob discuss their own feelings about rejection, disappointment, and feeling lost.

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network