Ask Improv Andy

 Andy does welcome all questions and will answer whatever he can thoughtfully and respectfully.  Write him at improvandy@improvreview.com.

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Dear Improv Andy,

I was recently at a show where a performer was pimped from the audience to do a celebrity impression for which he is renowned.  He asked the moderator if he could decline the suggestion, as he did not want to be a "pre-planner" or a "trick pony."  The moderator insisted that he continue with the game and take the suggestion.  Who was right?  - M.T., New York, NY

The truth is they were both right, and they were both wrong.  They were wrong simply for allowing this debate to go on in front of the audience.  They were both right, but only partially so.  There are many ways they could have respected each other and the show itself by using the suggestion in a new, or unexpected way.

The moderator could have allowed the impression, but upped the stakes.  For instance, "Since we already know Bob does a fine Bullwinkle impression, Bob will now have to do Bullwinkle as if he were skydiving."

Or, the performer could have offered up something that neither he, nor the audience was expecting.  "Of course I’ll do Nixon.  Pat Nixon!"

No one wants to feel like they are just a "trick pony," especially when they are aware of their own expansive capabilities.  Of course when we invite the audience to suggest what they want to see, it becomes up to us show them something they may not expect.

Dear Improv Andy,

I am with a group whose members have worked together for 5 or more years.  Things go very smoothly in performance as we always feel we are on the same page.  Because of this, I find jams almost unbearable.  Is there any value in jamming with strangers who are at different levels and who have different philosophies? - Comfy, Los Angeles, CA

The benefits of jamming are numerous.  Would you say, "What are the benefits of taking a class that teaches things I don’t already know?"  Of course not.

When you jam with improvisors of greater ability, it raises the bar for you.  When you jam with improvisors of lesser ability, it allows you to examine just how much you can really trust and "yes, and…"  Jamming with folks who are of different schools of thought than you lets you learn from them, and hopefully get a better understanding of what works best for you, and why other methods work better for others.

These are all important lessons that you can take back to your group to strengthen you as performers.  Someone who only performs shortform can learn a lot from someone who regularly performs Harolds, who can get a lot from someone who works with linear narratives, who can benefit from a person whose initiations are movement based, and on, and on.

If your intentions are to always have things go smoothly, and always be on the same page with the actors you perform with, then by all means don’t jam.  But if you are seeking to expand your knowledge, and explore your capabilities, then be game for anything and jump into every performance situation possible.  Also remember, you may be helping someone else learn what you have to teach.

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To pose a query to Andy, please e-mail him at improvandy@improvreview.com.