Andy Eninger is the Head of the Writing Program at The Second City Training Center in Chicago, and performs his solo improv form “Sybil” all over the world. He will be appearing next at IMPRO International Improvisation Theatre Festival in Amsterdam in January 2012.
8 Reasons Why I Love Working With Improvisers
Over the past twenty years, I’ve worked with thousands of improvisers. Sometimes, we were doing actual improv stuff - shows, classes, playing giant tomatoes for a corporate event. Sometimes, we were improvisers in daytime drag, freelancing in our ‘day jobs’ while taking classes at night and performing on the weekends. Through it all I’ve realized that improvisers are great people to be around. Even if I’d never discovered improvisation, I think I would gravitate toward improvisers for their many qualities. They may not be tidy, but they’re very entertaining, and they have specialized skills that make life better for everyone.
1.) They know how to say ‘yes, and’
Improvisers are good at saying ‘yes.’ More than that, they’re good at saying ‘yes’ and then building on a idea. They take pleasure in heightening a bit, pushing a game, or exploring a line of thinking - usually in hopes of being the first one to the funny comment about something. Improvisers make YOU feel funny by jumping onboard your idea.
2.) They make good listeners
As much as they love to talk, the best improvisers make great listeners. This is because they know they’ll only be able to make fun of you if they pay attention to the details. Still, everybody loves being deeply listened to…at least until your personal revalation gets ‘called back’ in a bit 30 minutes later.
3.) Improvisers have your back
If you go down in flames in a scene or in a stressful moment, improvisers know to take one for the team. Sometimes this means getting you off-stage so you can recover from a bad scene; sometimes this means stealing your potential date the moment you’ve been shot down at a pub. Nonetheless, they are there to fill the vacuum you made when you sucked, and for that, you should be thankful.
4.) Improvisers are forthcoming
Improvisers are not afraid to tell you about themselves, both in real life and in made-up improv-character life. “Let me tell you about my gluten allergy…” is not so different from “I bet you’ve never seen a man with lava-feet and ice hands like THESE.” The same instinct that can feel like a curse when you’re trapped at the office party can be a gift on stage.
5.) They see the humor in everything
They say that Comedy is Tragedy plus Time; Improvisers are so ambitious, they like to cut out the “time” part. Nothing is off limits. The bright side is that you always have a support network that can bring you up when you’re feeling down. The down side of this is watching your improv team gleefully launch a thirty-minute longform inspired by an audience suggestion of some inappropriate recent international tragedy.
6.) Improvisers are better than a Twitter Feed
You think you know what’s trending? People who ask for suggestions from drunk strangers every night REALLY know what’s on the public’s mind. Want to know what’s ‘hot’ right now? Ask an improviser.
7.) Improvisers are always up for a beer
After years of late night shows, late-night rehearsals, and late-night beers after late-night shows, improvisers are conditioned for late-night action. Want a beer on a Wednesday? I bet your improviser friend is up for it. Heading home late from work and want to blow off steam? Text an improviser - they’ll be there for you. Of course, you may have to sit through their late-night show first…
8.) You never have to worry about who’s going to pay for drinks: You are. (Hey, at least it takes the guesswork out of your evening.)
If I was going to be stuck on a desert island with one person…I’d choose an Engineer. Maybe a Doctor. But otherwise, in this world that moves too quickly and takes itself too seriously, I’ll take an improviser any day.
Previous guests: Jeroen Van Dyck, Remy Bertrand, Caspar Shjelbred, Sean Michaels, Kareem Badr, RobYn Slade, Ian Parizot, Rachel Klein, Dave Morris, Alex Wlasenko, From the old blog
