Bill Murray, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and Steve Carell – some of the biggest names in the industry – all trace their humble beginnings to improv comedy. We’re not certain whether they were drawn in by the cult following, but it proved to be a great launching pad for their careers nonetheless.
Improv comedy is a form of theatre that is unscripted and created by performers on the spot. It generally falls into two categories: short-form and long-form. Short-form improv is constructed from a prompt, idea, or suggestion from the audience, and most likely encompasses one-liners and short scenes. ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’ is a wildly popular show that introduced and familiarized viewers with short-form improv comedy.
Long-form improv features short, interrelated scenes that are gradually developed into a seemingly full-fledged ‘sketch’. The number of performers can range anywhere from two to twenty. One of the most common forms is the Harold, comprising of three scenes in which characters and sets and introduced and culminating in an organic interconnection of the scenes.
However, is improv comedy really everything it’s chalked up to be? The jury’s still out on that one. While some claim it’s the new and improvised stand-up, others go as far as to brand it the Scientology of comedy. Yes, and they may not be that far from the truth.
Improv comedy certainly has potential. An entire scene or play built spontaneously from a single prompt? That’s a feat in itself. However, this very notion might be the reason why improv is a dying art. Expecting performers to churn out quality entertainment, a solid plot, and top-notch acting, all while they’re learning about the characters and scenes just as you are, is no doubt a tall order. It creates a whole lot of room for mediocrity.
If done well, an improvised play can far surpass a run-of-the-mill sketch. Experiencing the impulsive response of a performer to a scene is often a fresh and welcome change from scripted content. On the flip side, improv can just as easily lose structure and purpose in a sea of one-liners with no direction, which is what the majority of improv has become today. And if that’s how low your bar is, you might as well save yourself some time and read 100 Best Jokes.
That being said, it would be churlish to deny that there are certainly some diamonds in the rough out there. If you’re looking to dip your feet into improv comedy, be sure to check out Middleditch & Schwartz on Netflix.
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