"The most important improv lesson I've learned is: Go For It! Trust your instincts, and don't worry too much about where a given move will lead. In musical improv, we're doing long-form narrative, and when I first started, I put so much internal pressure on myself to make moves that helped narrate or shape the story. I've realized that every initiation can have infinite stories spun out of it, and since I don't have to create that story alone, I can throw weird things out there without thinking too much about where they will lead. The story doesn't have to be linear! That applies to the songs too: if a strange line or unconventional rhythm pops out of my mouth, not only can Frank handle it and play with it, but my teammates can build on it as well. Even while doing a spot song, I'm never alone up there. Part of "going for it" too is being ok with things going in a totally different direction than you intend. One time I initiated the first scene by sighing and I guess it sounded enough like I was singing -- turns out I had accidentally initiated a rock opera, which we definitely hadn't rehearsed! But it turned out to be an epic show, and is still one of my favorites!"
Check out Lauren in Musical Megawatt with Moonshine
|