Hey Improvisers, It's Okay to Care.

7 dudes get out of their seats in the audience - and walk directly onto the stage with their hands in their pockets. Let's be honest - they're all wearing plaid shirts and jeans. A few of them are wearing hoodies. Once on stage, they chat to each other jokingly while one of the dudes gets the suggestion from the audience. "Hey could we just get like any word? Thanks."


Dear Improvisers,

I want to let you know... it's okay to "care" on stage. In fact, if you are performing improv because you love it and want to do it professionally - then you should care on stage. If you have a paying audience, then you especially should care - they deserve it.

A very visible, noticeable difference between improv in New York, (where I am now) and improv in Boston (where I performed for 9 years), is the lack of stage presence. Not only do improvisers get on stage in hoodies with their hands shoved deep in their pockets leaning against the back wall - but they even SPEAK to the audience like they don't give a shit. (IMHO) Improvisers instead tend to seem like they are performing for themselves. I've even seen (well known, reputable) groups speak to the audience as if they are doing them a favor - they don't really care if the audience is there or not. "Just give us one word and then don't shout out anything else. We'll make the funny. Thanks."

The truth of the matter is that although we may not be doing a scripted, highly directed or choreographed play - let's not sell ourselves short before we even utter a sentence. We are still a visible performance art form - and our goal is to provide a show so tight, that our audience comes up to us afterwards to ask the ol' "Was that scripted?" question.

In presenting ourselves as if we don't give a shit, we are short selling improv as an art - and short selling our audiences as well. Lastly, we get on the stage and provide this kind of show... but then we get pissed off when "civilians" (non-improvisers) shit on improv.

"The only people that are a worse hang than spoken-word poets are improv actors. All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women around them are merely an audience for their shitty plays." - Jacoby

No need for jazz hands or matching bowties. But, lets start caring a little more on stage. Put some pants on. Give your audience a little attention and be grateful for their being there. Let's respect this art form that we love so much - and show people why it's worth their time and money.


Please note - all of the above is just the opinion of one person - me. No personal offense to be given out or taken. Thankyouokaybye.