The Art of Making Sh!t Up

Chapter 10Small Decisions Add Up

For me, the joy of doing improv comes from the fact that as a performer I am allowed to follow wherever the scene goes without any real expectation to end up anywhere. Once we get the suggestion and the scene is set in motion we have no idea what is going to happen.

The absolute freedom in creating this way is intoxicating. There are very few constraints, and you are not only allowed but encouraged to ride the creative wave wherever it takes you. The unknown, far from being scary, becomes limitless opportunity. When you are improvising on stage, the unknown is alive with possibilities. The sheer pleasure of diving into that pool is exhilarating in the freedom of creativity it allows.

Yet, much like ordering off a menu at The Cheesecake Factory, you may enjoy having hundreds of choices but eventually you have to make a decision.

The ability to make decisions is the catalyst for being able to make shit up. Performing improv requires constant decision‐making. Because there is no script explaining stage directions, or director telling the actor where to go or what to say or do, the individual is required to make all of those decisions for themselves.

Indecision on the stage will result in absolutely nothing happening, which will be boring as shit to the audience. The actor is required to make decisions at every step of the way to help move the scene forward.

Improv actors are trained to limit their questions onstage and instead make declarative statements. ...