(Katie, Jeff and Rachel Pan - 2011)

As an improv director and performer, one of the questions I am often asked is: “How can I get better at improv acting?” What the person usually leaves out is the next obvious part of the question—“...by tomorrow or next week’s show.”

It is common for people to want to be good or to rush their improv acting experience so they can be their best.

I make suggestions and give feedback when I feel it is appropriate, and what I say will be considered seriously.

I feel that art and speed don’t necessarily go hand and hand. One of my favorite quotes is from Sandy Meisner, Sandy said “it takes twenty years to become an actor.”

This is a rough translation of the quote, so forgive me if it is off a little in wording. 

I also remember having a conversation with an acting teacher at Studio ACT who quoted the same number of years, though he also said improvisers seem to hit a stride after about ten years.

In conversations with one of my favorite improv acting directors and coaches, Doug, I am often humbled. His thirty-plus years of performing, directing, and coaching helped me keep my own ego in check and help me appreciate the importance of being a beginner.

Some of the things I’ve found helpful are revisiting the basics on a regular basis. Take a beginning improv class at a different theater or school.

Re-take your basics class as an assistant or to help out. Lose the ego and don’t try to show up those with less experience. 

Actively try to re-learn the games. Learn the bigger picture of what’s being taught.

Look for ways you can apply improv in your life or how life mirrors improv. What are your patterns? Where do you block or control yourself or others from moving forward? Learning to “yes, and” off stage can be an amazing life expander. Enjoy the adventure!

Look for what you can learn in your improv acting or what you can re-learn on a deeper level. Take classes on scripted technique. This is critical for any improviser. Take classes in voice, singing, tai chi and related skills.

Read books on improv acting, scripted acting and directing, art, classics, and history. See tons of movies, plays, and, of course, improv. 

Watch all kinds of different groups from all different skill levels. Get as much performing experience as you can. (One of my favorite improv books is: Impro by Keith Johnstone).

Don’t do too much improv acting. There has to be a balance between improv and life (says the improv teacher and junkie). 

I’ve found that a directed practice once per week and an undirected/jam-style practice once per week make a huge difference. More than that doesn’t make a huge difference.

Best if you can do them about two to four days apart. Note: I am talking about practice outside of performing. If your goal is to be a good performer get in as much performing (stage time) as you can.

Practicing twice per week keeps you in the improv zone or space. Study a specific style of "scripted acting" as much as you study improv: Method, Meisner, Suzuki Technique.

Or, just enjoy the journey and see where it takes in ten or twenty years. That isn't such a long time in the course of world history.

Cheers,

David Alger
Founder
Pan Theater