Listening in Improv

First I must mention that improv is short for improvised, as in improvised theater or improvised comedy. Discussion of my history in improv may be discussed in a later post. Another purpose of this blog, to keep an improv journal, was suggested to me by my artistic director and primary instructor at the Roving Imp Training Center, John Robinson.

The Roving Imp Theater, has a Facebook group, and is located in Bonner Springs, Kansas, and is set to takeover the world, expanding with the recently-opened Roving Imp Coffee House, which has a Facebook fan page.

Listening to one's scene partner or partners is an important part of improv. Details are important, but the most interesting or the most unusual details in particular are the most important to move along the scene and make the scene entertaining. To describe the how one should listen in a scene, all of my present improv instructors use the analogy of listening to your scene partner as if you have a crush. If the previous paragraph had been spoken by my scene partner, I would have listened very intently for anything.

The most interesting or most usual detail would be that the Roving Imp Theater is set to take over the world, specifically by expanding with a coffee shop. Other details like the name of the theater, the location of the theater, and the references to a Facebook presence are important, but most of all the globe-dominating intentions.

Assuming that a scene already has an emotional connection, a good relationship, and setting established, listening can also help one find the game in a scene; however, this point is largely immaterial if either scene partner earlier missed any of those pieces of information.

Besides doing the technical work for some shows, attending classes and shows at the Roving Imp Theater, I am also part of Project Improv at Johnson County Community College. For the moment my goal for my improv is to listen more, like your girlfriend. What's that you say?