The Complete Improviser: Concepts, Techniques, and Exercises for Long Form Improvisation

Avoid vague accusations and sweeping generalizations. It’s perfectly okay that your scene partner “always does that,” but you must vigorously define “always” (Daily? Weekly?), “does” (On purpose? Are they just dumb?) and “that” (What is it specifically?).

Don’t blame an outside force of higher status. You did whatever you did because of a flaw in your moral character that you’re either proud or ashamed of.

The solution here is the same as with any impasse: someone must lose without changing their character.

that expression. If they’re eventually going to be useless, you’ve probably picked the wrong rules in the first place.

Chicago also has more improv than any city in the world.

More Scenes Are Ruined by Unasked Questions Than by Asked Questions

Good argument scenes feature a reasonable point of view colliding with an unreasonable point of view. Inside Out and Outside In

If I had to throw a net over all of the reasons why we don’t like certain movies or books, it would be this: we quit believing what we’re seeing is real.

teachings. For an audience to laugh or cry, they must care. For them to care, they must believe.

“You gotta know the rules before you can break them.” I’ve never liked