I like improv. And funny stuff. And funny looking stuff. And facts. And dogs. And cats. And music. Hello. And I like learning new things, like what you’re into. So what are you into? What’s going on?
I am also going to talk about improv a bit more in this newsletter. This week, I’ll start a new series called One Thing to Try, which is just a simple improv or comedy tip to try out this week (or next week if you’re not doing any improv this week).
I’ll try to focus on things you can practice on your own. But really, we’ll just see how this goes and it will certainly be about improvs.
One Thing to Try: Being present to hear unusual things
Being present is difficult. Listening is hard, despite how much we have to listen every day outside of improv. But getting good at being present and really listening can help you pick up on unusual things, those offers that are fun to play with in a scene.
One way to practice this is listening for unusual things while you’re watching – well – pretty much anything. You can be watching a documentary, listening to a lecture on YouTube, or even a dramedy on Netflix. Or a Lifetime Christmas movie (oof). Or maybe even reading.
What’s leaps out? What would you play with? You can even do this while watching an improv livestream (and you win a free cookie if that thing you noticed ends up being the game).
Take notes, and compare them. Does the source material make a difference about what you pull from it. Then think about how you would adjust it to use it in a scene.
This is so very simple of an exercise, but this is a big help in learning to just listen, to stay present, to not let your mind wander to your to-do list.
Practice ACTIVE listening.
Letting your mind wander is what happens half the time when watching a show (or I guess 100% of the time if it’s a Lifetime Christmas movie).
Discuss this topic with improvisers
This link will take you directly to the forum for this newsletter on the Improv Update Discord.The discord also contains a bunch of channels for improv nerds. Nice.
Improv resources, podcasts & shows
Some new improv and comedy things to check out this week from the online space. Everything is free and accessible to you, right now!
- Article 1: Literally about literalism in improv (Neurodiversity in Improv) [Read Article]
- Article 2: Sexy Santa is coming for your Seriously Stupid Improv (Physical Media) [Read article]
Improv & Comedy Livestreams
Comedy Livestreams that I think look pretty cool that happen to be coming up soon or available right now (no affiliation):
- Until Dec 25th: CONNOR RATLIFFpresents THE ACTING CLASS,focused entirely on the art & craft of playing the role of “Santa Claus” at a professional level. [Livestream info]
- Jan 8th: Artists on Artists on Artists on Artists LIVE!with special guests Paul F. Tompkins, Caitlin Reilly, and Amanda Lehan-Canto [Livestream]
- Jan 15th: West Wing Writers Presents: Speakeasy [Livestream]
Do you have a stage show that’s livestreamed and want it added? Or a FREE jam or workshop I should add? Reach out or comment on the website for the next newsletter (every two weeks).
Fact or Word of the Week
As per usual, here’s yet another fact or word of the week…. this week we have a word. Heck yeah, WORDS RULE!
WORD: Adronitis. This word is for the emotion that you feel when frustrated it is taking too long to get to know someone. Uh… feeling called out on this one.
Do you have a cool fact or word I should add to this section? I know you do. Let us know in the comments for this post! (Click the button above or below)
That’s it, improvisers!
A real human wrote this. Not AI! And a real human makes these following things too. It’s getting more and more difficult to find real human creations online, so I’ll help you access some more things that are. Check these real human made things below!
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my warmest of regards and salutations from my cold, damp and lonely forest cavern bunker forest dwelling house,
Jen deHaan
BONUS SONG SHARE: Old Devil Moon by dodie. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO? Let me know using this link or button (depends on what you’re looking at this newsletter in)
