Eating Your Veggies

There’s an interesting tension in improv: it’s supposed to be fun, but growth as a performer typically comes from getting out of your comfort zone. How is a person supposed to navigate this?

I could write something about how fun it is to explore the unknown and to discover things about yourself, but I don’t believe that. Instead, my take is  getting outside your comfort zone to grow as a performer is a like eating your vegetables. Sorry to my vegetarian friends…

I use this analogy because there’s a parallel between a child being coerced into eating their vegetables and the desire to access the same silly playfulness children tap into so effortlessly. A kid who is just eating their favorite treats may be fine at first, but eventually they will get the tummy ache that sidelines them from recess or playtime. It’s important to get a balanced diet to keep playing!

You’ll have to pry my puns from my cold, dead hands…

For me, my improv veggies are anything super physical or “clowny” because I’m more comfortable as a witty, heady player (you’ll have to pry my puns from my cold, dead hands…). Just last night, I had rehearsal with my team, Personality Hires, and our coach, Irene Deniston, had us do some exercises to get us into our bodies. My nightmare.

But afterward, we ran some scenes and then a full set and… it was great! I found myself making choices I wouldn’t usually make AND HAVING SO MUCH FUN. The little jaunt out of my comfort zone - eating my improv veggies, if you will - made my overall experience so much better. And that’s the whole point: this is supposed to be fun.

Get yourself a coach who can do both!

-Jon