One night I couldn't sleep and wrote all this up. I didn't post it right away, wanting to take some time rereading and making sure that I really mean everything I say. Nearly two weeks later, here it is:
I have been doing improv for almost two years, and during that time I have learned and formulated many thoughts regarding the art form. Some of them I still believe to this day, and some of them I have rendered false. These are what have been in my head recently. I may change my mind about them later, but, as is in improv, it is all about here and now.
1. The best improv classes I have had are ones that is beneficial to me NOW. That is, if I quit doing improv tomorrow, I wouldn't look back and feel like I have wasted a lot of time and money on it for nothing. What improv is doing to me today is more important than what it might do for me in the future.
2. I don't think we should aspire to be like anybody else. We shouldn't look for role models in somebody who is more talented and successful than us. Aspiring only keeps us from seeing and improving ourselves, and from being where we are.
3. Thinking about fame and fortune only keeps you from doing good works. It also keeps you from being a decent person. This applies to all kinds of artists.
4. It's annoying to listen to someone talking about how passionate they are about improv, how improv can save the world, and how everybody should do it. It doesn't cure cancer. It's just an art form. GET OVER IT.
5. Talking about improv just takes away the energy from doing good improv.
6. Just like everything else in the world, improv isn't for everybody. There's nothing wrong with you if you don't like it. Try pottery.
7. If you constantly quote improv books in conversations, you probably have yet to internalize the knowledge and practice what you preach.
8. I'd rather do an unfunny scene than get laughs from making a mockery of the theater by playing caricatures.
9. Instead of telling students not to try to be funny, improv teachers should teach them how to do a good, wholesome yet non-comedic scene.
10. During class, instead of trying to be a better improviser, I constantly try to be a better person.
