5 Ways Vulnerability Can Help Your Improv (and your life)

Sure, you’re probably thinking what does vulnerability have to do with improv? It’s supposed to be funny! We want to laugh!

Have you ever thought about the moments that make you laugh? Aside from the bits and silly stuff, think about the times you laugh. It probably includes some realness and something that goes a little deeper that you can relate to because, damn it, you’ve been there.

One dimensional characters are just okay to watch. But good improv with rich characters is so much more than that. Get your audience so involved that they forget all about their life concerns for a moment and are completely engaged with you.

Here are 5 ways that vulnerability can help your improv (and your life):

• Get the scene out of a conflict rut. We’ve all been in those arguments in scenes (and in life) that seem to never end and who really wants to be a part of this, let alone watch this? Stop the arguing and let your guard down, open up and see what happens.
• Get the scene out of any rut! Oh no we’re talking about the dishes again. Or how to drive the car. Or how to bake a cake! Whatever it is, veer off the static path and make a deep vulnerable statement and turn things around.
• Deepen that relationship! Uh oh, did you end up in a bland relationship scene that feels totally robotic? Even a little? Make a confession! Say something bold and vulnerable! Feel the blandness melt away!!
• Make that character richer! Any character gift in a scene is a good and helpful one. But the difference between something like “I’m nervous” and “I’m nervous because I’m afraid I’m not good enough” is pretty great and can send your scene in a powerful direction.
• Engage the audience. The audience paid their good money (or is using their free comp ticket) to see you. Make it worth it for them! Sure cheap laughs can be fun, but really connecting to the material makes things worthwhile. They’re going to want to root for you if they see you letting a vulnerable part of your character (sometimes self) show.

If you think vulnerability and realness isn’t funny, give it a try and see what happens when you hit that first moment of laughter. It comes from a much more authentic, relatable and, dare I say, therapeutic place.