Why the people you think would be good at improv, probably wont be.

Hundreds of people have told me over the last 8 years that they know someone who would be great at improv. They’re usually wrong, and this is why:

1. They have a funny friend that tells hilarious jokes and makes everyone laugh. This person would not be good at improv because improv is not about telling jokes. In fact, when I use to teach improv, I would have to beat the jokes out of people before I would even let them get on stage.
2. They have a friend that can think so fast on their feet and is always quick to respond. This person would not be good at improv because improv is about listening. The best improvisors are the best listeners. They take the time to listen to what people are saying, rather then planning what they are going to say.
3. They have a friend who has done theater and so they just know they will be good at improv. This person would not be good at improv because we make shit up. We don’t memorize scripts and rehearse them until they seem natural.
4. They have a friend who does stand up at the Improv, he already does improv, right? No. This person would not be good at improv because they write all their jobs out and rehearse them over and over again until they get the timing just right. If an improvisor doesn’t get the timing just right the first time… there’s no going back.

I know I sound like a jerk. I’m not. I really do think anyone can do improv. My point is that what you think makes improv work, is not what makes improv work. Improv is: listening, agreement and team work… the exact opposite of what people think.