The joy of improvising online
Can I tempt you?
I have a tendency to assume that everyone has done improv online because that’s the improv world that I live in.
But I know that lots of you haven’t and I’ve heard from a few of you who are sitting on the fence, trying to decide if online improv is for you.
So here are a few of my thoughts and a few questions I’ve been asked to help inform you, reassure you and of hopefully tempt you into signing up. I’ll start by explaining how online improv works (skip ahead if you’re an online improv pro).
The basics:
The first step is you book your place on the event web page, then a few days before the course starts I’ll send you a zoom link. This will be the link you’ll use for every class in the course.
You’ll need a zoom account. Most people seem pretty aware of zoom and have used it with work or family. If you haven’t it’s easy and free to sign up.
On the day of course you click the link and sign in. You’ll meet me and your fellow course mates on screen and you’ll have a chance to introduce yourself. Then the fun begins.
My classes are a mixture of breakout rooms and main space work. Breakout rooms are little virtual online rooms where you can do scenes in pairs or threes away from the rest of the group. And the main space is where everyone is at the same time and we can all see each other.
When people are doing scenes in the main space and you’re being an audience member we turn cameras and audio off. This means zoom isn’t picking up the noise of you sipping your coffee!
Why online improv?
I love online improv, I really do and it’s main selling points to me are:
I can improvise with incredible improvisers from all around the world. When you live in a small place with very little improv like I do, there is a limit to the number and the experience of the improvisers around you. With online improv you have access to very talented improvisers that would be impossible to access at home.
There’s no commute! With online improv you sign on just before the class starts and sign off at the end and you’re at home! There’s no commuting, no public transport, no cost of travel, no getting home late. Plus you’re in the comfort of your own home, you can wear your slippers, drink a hot chocolate from your favourite mug. It is all very easy.
You can access teachers from across the world. I read Kenn Adams’ book, How to Improvise a Full-Length play (i really recommmend it!) back in 2014 and I never thought I’d get a chance to learn from Kenn because he lives in California. Fast forward to 2021 and I got to take a course online with him. So online improv let’s us access awesome teachers as well as awesome improvisers.
You can write notes! If you’re like me and you struggle to remember character names and important information you can jot it all down.
Online improv is accessible. Whatever your circumstances online improv allows people to improvise.
But doesn’t it feel weird improvising online?
It probably initially feels a bit odd and it definitely doesn’t allow the same physicality that you can have when you’re in the same room. But most people find online improv feels very normal very quick.
And like with all improv the connections we make online are strong. I have online improv friends that I haven’t yet met in person but I feel like I know them so well. And I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting quite a few who are based in England, Scotland and Germany. I’ll be meeting with an America online improv friend very soon!
You’d think that being on a screen would prevent that connection and depth but surprisingly it doesn’t. Sometimes I think we can go deeper quicker online.
What if I can’t attend all the classes?
Just like in person improv it’s really normal to miss a class or two and I’m always happy to fill people in with what they missed.
Hopefully this has reassured you and maybe even inspired you to sign up yourself! My classes are always a positive, supportive and encouraging environment and a safe space for everyone to come and play.
As always thank you for reading and happy Improvising,
Katy x
P.S. You know the drill by now. Here’s the link to my upcoming courses - https://buytickets.at/weareimprov