How to level up your improv show and get better gigs
A team I was coaching recently asked me a brilliant question - outside of developing our improv skills, how can we improve our show and get better gigs?
This got me thinking about how the shows I’ve been a part of have developed from being a new act to a headline spot.
So if you’re a new group looking for some guidance or an established team on the lookout for some fresh inspiration, here are those thoughts:
Decide exactly what the show is
There are an abundance of teams doing Harolds / Short Form / Improvised Musicals. So be super specific about what your show is.
For example:
Showstopper! is an improvised musical that is of West End quality with pastiche songs.
Music Box is an improvised musical that is all about anarchic comedy and big characters.
Dreamweaver Quartet is an improvised musical with deeply layered harmonies and surreal scenes.
All of these shows are improvised musicals, but they all know exactly what they are. Audiences know what they’re going to get and will return time and time again if that’s what they like.
By knowing and deciding exactly what the show is, the pitch, promotion and direction of the show will all improve.
Dreamweaver Quartet at Hoopla Impro. L-R Richard Baker, James Witt, James Whittaker, Greg Birks, Rhiannon Vivian.
Stand out from the crowd
What makes your team/show unique? Is it a one-of-a-kind? Is it the spirit in which you play?
I think it’s really important to work out what makes you different and think about why a booker/producer would want to put your show on a main stage slot. I don't think it's necessarily about reinventing the wheel but rather shouting about what it is you do best.
So perhaps it's that you've got a great social media presence, or you have unique special guests, or an insane level of audience participation. That is what makes you stand out from the crowd - so be loud about it.
Put on a show
For me, this is the most important of the bunch. PUT ON A SHOW!
These are the wise words from my first improv teacher Adam Meggido. Adam was the best improv teacher I've ever had and I highly recommend his book Improv Beyond Rules.
Putting on a show is routinely overlooked by teams and one of the easiest ways to level up a performance.
Believe in your show rather than apologising for it. If an audience is paying to see you, then turn up in every possible sense and put on a show.
The London Improvathon 2019. Directed by Adam Meggido.
Add some polish
This leads on from putting on a show in more obvious and more practical sense. It's certainly possible to do a low-fi / jeans-prov style show. But if you want to step up your game then consider adding some polish.
Think about your production values. Could you invest in some costumes / outfits for a cohesive look? Could you get some set or props for your show?
Think about how you introduce your show. Is it messy? Do you have a scripted ‘get’? Where could you add some shine?
Have fun
I’ve seen so many shows over the years that could have been levelled up by the performers looking like they actually want to be there.
Undoubtedly, nerves can get in the way sometimes, but having an outward focus and enjoying the moment can be huge for a show.
It doesn’t have to be all out cheesy and wacky, but when you’re on the sidelines - enjoy what your teammates are doing, smile at their scenes. And when you’re in scenes follow the fun.
Create your own success
Lastly, as much as we can all dream of the phone ringing and Cameron Macintosh offering our improv show an 8-week run at the Gielgud, it just ain’t gonna happen.
And on a much more realistic level, producers of improv nights are busy people and there’s only so much space in the calendar to programme shows. So it’s important to build your show into something that would be beneficial to their programme.
Consider creating a monthly improv night somewhere. Book an off-west end venue for a week and record a sizzle reel. Apply for festivals. Grow a social media presence. Reach out to some high-profile guests.
Ultimately, growing a show takes time and success is rarely achieved overnight but hopefully the thoughts above can be of some use to kickstart that journey.