The 5 Stages of Being an Improviser in the Audience
POV: You’re watching this lot perform
As improvisers, we love to perform. It’s not a shocking statement to declare that most of us a pretty comfortable in front of an audience. But what about when when we’re in the audience? We’ve all been there. There’s a certain set of conflicting emotions and states of mind that we experience when we’re watching, and not performing. From our experience, this rollercoaster of feeling can be broken down into five distinct stages.
Stage 1: Denial
Often, improvisers who haven’t been cast in a show will still act as though they have. They’ll turn up early, way before the rest of the audience. They’ll chat to the performers about the show, provide opinions on potential scenes/games (if it’s a short-form show) and even sometimes take part in the warm up. There’s clearly more than a little bit of denial at play. It’s almost as though we expect to be allowed to perform if we just act like we’ve been part of the cast all along. But you can’t blame us (Ok. Maybe you can a little bit). We’re just excited for improv.
Stage 2: Over Analysis
Ok. The show has started. You’re there for a good time and a fun time. But your improv brain seems to be having a little bit of trouble shutting off. Instead of just sitting back and laughing, you end up over analysing each and every aspect of a scene. You ride the ebbs and flows of each scene, congratulating yourself when the performers make a choice that you had already chosen for them in your head and keenly noting the audience’s reaction to each line of dialogue. You might even take physical notes. What is supposed to be a relaxing watch can turn into a tense evening.
Stage 3: Screwing with the performers
Improv shows invariably require audience suggestions. Chances are you’ve performed a few times with some or all of the cast of the show you’re watching. So you probably know, or have some idea, of what they do and don’t like when it comes to performing. You’ve also just realised that the best way to quieten your brain (see stage 2 above) is to give in to that little devil on your shoulder and loudly provide some, let’s say, challenging suggestions to ‘inspire’ the performers. Let’s be clear, you’re not trying to derail the show - but you also don’t want the performers to be let off easy. So you’re not shouting “the morgue” or “german porn” before every scene (Ok. Maybe just once) but you are the most enthusiastic shouter of “should have said” or “sing about it”. Who said being in the audience couldn’t be fun?
Stage 4: Damn, they’re good
Ego and improv don’t really mix. When improvising, you need to be able to collaborate effectively with others and let go of any need to be the centre of attention at all times. However, we wouldn’t be human if a little bit of ego didn’t creep in here and there when performing, or indeed, watching improv. You would be outright lying to yourself and others if you claimed to have never thought “I could do better” when watching a scene play out in front of you. One of the great levelers of improv is that, when watching a show, you will invariably see a moment or scene that you could not have “done better” in a million years. For example, the performers at the particular show you’re viewing might perform a wonderful improvised song about playing Monopoly that leaves you astounded, appreciative of the wonderful display of improv skill and a little bit jealous. It’s a great way to keep that ego in check.
Stage 5: So when’s the next show?
You make it through the show without causing too much chaos (see stage 3 above) or throwing yourself onto the stage and into the spotlight (see stage 1). You’re ego may or may not have been bruised (see stage 4) but either way, you’ve resolved that you simply must perform when the next opportunity arises. So you congratulate the performers on their successful show and do your best to find out how you can take part in the next one. Who knows, performing may actually be less of a rollercoaster than being part of the audience.