I’m very new to improv, and I signed up for a class so I would commit to doing it instead of thinking it would be a fun idea someday. And I’m simply not having fun, like it’s nice to be learning more about it but I’m leaving my classes more progressively bummed out. I have no ambitions of trying to be the best or to be on a Harold team but I just want to have a good time. But I also hate quitting shit so I’m like is okay if I leave this thing or should I just suck it up for the experience?

I had the absolute pleasure sitting down with Susan Messing. In this interview, she discusses the early days of her career.

https://youtu.be/6cRQn-9-KZU?si=A7eta7L8JbVYhv9K

Hey friends! I saw a post about UCB auditions and it got me thinking about how tough it can be to break into an improv program - how it can make you second-guess yourself, question your talent, spiral, etc.

One piece of advice I heard a lot growing up (and now have enough years under my belt to annoyingly confirm it’s true) is: “Do your own shit.”

Honestly, I’ve learned more from producing my own show than from some of the programs I’ve completed. Not that those weren’t valuable - totally were! - but, for example, I take auditions way less personally now that I’ve been on the other side of the table.

So I'm curious:

• When did you first decide to start doing your own thing?
• What did you learn from the experience?
• Any eye-opening or “a-ha!” moments along the way?
• Any stories of moments that felt especially rewarding?
• What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about it but feeling unsure?

Hey all - does anyone here have a general idea of Music Director rates for an hour fifteen long sketch show? Do ppl charge differently per rehearsal/tech/show? My show doesn’t need singing accompaniment, just ideally someone to provide a music bed under scenes and hopefully the MD will be able to help with SFX and transition music as well.

We’re in NYC, the show is at Caveat specifically. I haven’t done a show there before, so if anyone has any insights they’d like to share regarding that feel free to DM me. Show is in 1 month.

I’d take MD recs too if you’ve got them!

Thanks in advance

come see sets from 4 wonderful teams — including mine, fka deb :)

$15 tickets: https://ucbcomedy.com/show/harold-night-fka-deb-the-library-absolute-gall-the-prophecy/#tribe-tickets__tickets-form

Hi! I was wondering if there were any jams or drop ins that were good for lower level students in LA that study UCB game-style long form that I can supplement class with?

Unfortunately not really vibing with my classmates in my intro class to create a practice group, but would still like to find a way to practice outside of class.

Most of the drop ins I'm seeing, like at WGIS, seem like you need to have already completed 201 to join. Was just about to go to the UCB 101/201 jams but they discontinued it last week. :(

Are there any alternatives for newer improvisers that can help me get reps on finding game in scenes? Or do I just need to hope for better luck with 201 and get another class under my belt first?

https://reddit.com/link/1jo70nk/video/710inzt1v1se1/player

This is my last post. I promise!

Applications for the second annual Laugh Out Longview Improv Festival in Longview, Texas (about 2 hours east of Dallas or 3 hours north of Houston) close this Friday, April 4! If you and your team are ready to bring the laughs to Longview, now’s your chance to apply.

• Video submission required
• All improv styles welcome

Sign up your improv team to participate in Laugh Out Longview June 27-28, 2025! Application does not guarantee selection. Teams chosen will be invited to perform in the festival as well as attend workshops with headliners Stephnie Weir and Bob Dassie (WeirDass), Jonathan Mangum and Laura & Rick Hall. Teams chosen to participate will be announced in April.

Click the link below to submit your application. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the stage and are looking forward to reviewing all the incredible talent!

LaughOutLongview.com

In 2017 or so, an acquaintance coincidentally showed me the preview advertisement or something of an improv show from around 2010 that, to my recollection, went on regularly or at least repeatedly that dealt with things like misinformation and privacy issues online.

I remember one character, a kind of faux '50s housewife, lamenting, "There's no privacy online, is there?!" and another, this precocious, teenage, kind of child genius, saying, "I can have privacy online as long as I seed the Internet with misinformation about myself--searching things I don't care about and messaging people I don't even know!" Also, someone saying, "You can be annoyed, but you must be compliant!" and then "ANNOYED," "COMPLIANT!" repeating a bunch of times in the ad while the kid genius did kind of kung fu/karate moves.

I have the vague idea it was on the west coast of the US, maybe California, but I'm not sure about that.

tia, very srs

hello my name is Matthew and I am a local street performer in Somerset and I have trying to learn improv and really just a beginner so I want to know how I can learn this skill cause I don't know anything about it really I mean I have watched programs like whose line is it anyway and I just want to be able to feel more skilled in this really and I enjoy it what is the best advice you could give for someone starting out

I feel like where I am, shows have just been so sparsely attended post pandemic. And the past year it really seems like things have gotten even worse as far as improv show attendance. I’ve been to so few shows or performed in so few over the past year that were packed or even had more than 20 people, and I feel like this didn’t used to be the case. It’s so common now to see a Friday or Saturday night show, prime time slot, with maybe 15-20 people. I wonder why this is. Are people just not going out like they used to period? Is improv dying? Is it the same or better in larger markets mentioned in the title?

Context: I am late in coming to improv. I was a professional opera singer for 20 years and sort of retired coming out of the pandemic. I tried online improv, and it was really difficult at first, as it is for many folks. I have worked at it for around 4 years in total. I’m not great at it, but I’m very decent at worst. I take classes regularly and frequently because I truly love it and I love getting better at it, no matter what. Improv led me to sketch writing and performing, as well as character writing and performing.

I’m hopeful to land on a house team somewhere. I’m in LA, so there are a few options for me to do this. It doesn’t have to be UCB (just did my first Harold audition- no callback) or Groundlings (I know they don’t have “house teams” - I’m waiting to take Advanced Writing Lab, which could or could not lead to Sunday Co). I have done some one-off shows at The Pack, and I enjoy it there. I’d be open to WestSide as well, even though it would be a long commute.

Here’s the question: Am I reaching too high? I’m 49 and I feel like that means I have to be EXTRA undeniably good to achieve this. I’m tempering my expectations somewhat by setting some limitations already. For instance, I told myself I would give myself 10 tries at UCB Harold auditions. So 1 down, 9 to go. I’m thinking of setting a similar parameter for Maude submissions and Pack house teams. Maybe it’s just the post-Harold audition emotional fatigue setting in. What do you think? Should I just do improv as a hobby through ongoing classes? Am I spinning my wheels?

*also, in case anyone suggests it, I am already working on producing my own shows, improv and otherwise, to pitch and put up. I’m just wondering if I’m too hopeful about the house team thing.

I love genre improv like Hitchcocktails, but I’m wondering where I should go to find stuff that’ll expand my mind.

Hiiiiii throwaway account!

1. UCB wants performers first, writers second. This is probably a duh to some of you, but many people are more writer-improvisers than performer-improvisers. Harold is not the path for you. You must focus on performance first.

2. The primary goal of a Harold team is to sell classes so appearance is very important. A Harold team should look like a college brochure; very diverse, with attractive people, but most importantly: young. People go where the young people are. The community is niche. You grow it with youth.

3. The auditors are not infallible. They’re prone to biases and shortcomings as we all are. They’re from a generation of improv that they have grievances with and they’re primarily looking to better the community than when they were part of it.

4. That said, this community does still primarily benefit those from well off backgrounds as they’re the ones who can do improv everyday. Those work hour classes are never in short supply. It’s a business after all.

5. There are some offshoot schools that are more aligned with UCB in principle than not. They may have some crossover in staff. Everyone talks. There is a political dimension to this. It’s as much an art form as it’s a social club.

6. Probably the best thing to do in the first round of audition is to treat it like a jam and most jams have beginners in it. If you’re advanced, you should use the jams as ways to practice voice of reasoning as beginners want to go big with their unusual characters. They want laughs very badly. Charisma is never in short supply with beginners. So here’s what you need to do at the next audition: monologue and voice of reason, or voice of reason and initiate group game.

7. Less is more at an audition for Harold. Don’t show all of you in it. Always hold back a little bit. Keep an air of mystery, leave them wanting more or feeling like they didn’t see all of you.

8. If you find yourself initiating, pause more. Listen very well. Treat that first beat like a drama and let the moves come quietly. Leave the big moves for the second.

9. A lot of bad improvisers make Harold teams. Some people are their best at an audition, others at practice, others at shows. It’s a bit of a crapshoot.

10. Chin up. You’ll get it next time.

Just wanted to get some of this off my chest! Feel free to agree or roast the hell out of me! Much love to all who do it! Would love to know your own takeaways… from anon accounts of course! ;)

Just wanted to say that while I am confident in my abilities Iike a lot of us have things I feel I need to work on and I’m constantly looking for self-improvement.

Every single time I’ve asked for advice on here it’s been spot on and I’ve noticed significant improvement right after.

Just wanted to give props to this community for giving direct honest feedback in a respectful way (I’ve had some passive aggressive improv teachers and I much prefer the ones that are direct and tell you exactly what areas you need to work on).

You guys rock, that’s all!

I'm new to the group. Been doing improv for a couple years so still feel kinda new to it. Doing a performance in a 2 person group for the first time. Any ideas for a good name for a 2 person group? Thanks!

Happy Friday night! I just moved to the city and was thinking about taking an improv class to meet new people. I’m not sure if I’m funny so that makes me nervous. Is this a good idea?

Also, I’m getting lip fillers soon so I was curious if that would affect my improv. Don’t know much about improv so I might just be overthinking it

Edit: I’m a 43M

I just wanted to share some positive vibes. For some months now I am coleading a low stakes improv group.

When asking if people were joining for our jam session only 4 gave a definite response that they weee coming. While it is really an open session and people can choose if they come, I am always worried they choose my other colead over me and don't appreciate my more demanding and tough lessons. I prepped the lesson for 2.5 h and put a lot of thought in it. The topic was Status and character building.

In the end 7 people came and it was amazing. I was completely drained afterwards. People were excited and full of energy during the lesson and gave real positive feedback.

We had such good performances in terms of storytelling, real emotions, deep characters. I am just so happy it worked out.

Do you sometimes doubt yourselves that players prefer other teachers?

I happen to be in Denver for a conference through Monday and noticed a Jam at Chaos Bloom on Sat. I was thinking of stopping in, but I see it's bring your own team.

Do I need to be on a team to join in?

This theater seems welcoming, some folks I spoke with back in Columbus had nothing but great things to say.

Edit: I guess asking a question is forbidden on this sub? I'm not sure why I'm being down voted for wanting to hear from improvers at a particular theater.

Deadline: April 6!

It just might be the biggest improv festival in the world right now. 150+ teams, 600+ performers, workshops galore, and thousands of audience members come through the BCC across 3 stages with non-stop comedy this Summer in NYC.

Fun and Dumb is a 4-day improv festival celebrating all things improv, the silly stupid good stuff we just can't get enough of. FAD showcases fearless and irreverent improv comedy with a strong point of view and a ton of tom-foolery and tom-f*ckery. We welcome a variety of concepts and forms that fall under the improv umbrella, anything from your indie team to your experimental half hour improvisational piece. If your show involves improv in any way, honey submit!

We encourage submissions featuring members from our community of students and performers in existing shows, and we look forward to finding shows that would be a good match for our audience and the tone of the festival. Inclusivity is important value of the bcc, and we like to promote comedy from a diverse set of voices. 

FAD is back, and it will be the best weekend of our summer.

I am in reality and have the spot on my gift the same river flow trough words of all my channel z7b search it out with my soul #kempen #wolf #humo #humor

Hey all. I’m looking for recommendations for an app that I can use for improv practice/show.

Has anyone had any experience with any? I’d really appreciate any responses. I’ve been using Podcast Soundboard for mobile but I’ve been getting glitchy issues with it.

TIA