In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss DEAFO - a new system for creating more dynamic, intersting stage pictures. Also on this episode, heightening through proximity, and intentionally throwing your scene off-kilter.Brought to you By: The Sona

Crazytown

11 days ago 1h 8m

Amongst the many terms improvisers have invented to describe a bad scene, "Crazytown" might be the most evocative. This week Rob and Adam discuss scenes that try to do too much, too soon - and how to prevent your scenes from going off the rail

SOS (Save Our Scene)

23 days ago 1h

Rob and Adam discuss what to do when a scene fails, how to fail gracefully, and how to get a struggling scene back on track. Also on the episode: recent travels across the US, Rob's artistic residency in Sweden, the best pizza and an adult love

Inventing the Who What Where

Feb 28th, 2024 56m 13s

In this epsiode, Rob and Adam discuss what to do if you are obligated to create the who, what, where in the first 30 seconds of your scene. How much information should you add? How much room should you leave for you partner to contribute? Brou

improvfestivals

Jan 17th, 2024 59m

This week Rob and Adam chat about improv festivals: how to run it, how to market it, and the small perks that make it all worthwhile. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

First Time Format

Jan 9th, 2024 50m 41s

We all know the Harold, and The Montage - but what's in the in-between? Are there some formats better for new players than others? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

The Holiday Special

Dec 26th, 2023 39m 51s

In the final rundown of 2023, Rob and Adam share the gifts of what's making them feel thankful this holiday season.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

The Right Mistakes

Dec 6th, 2023 55m 49s

Improv dogma tells us, "Mistakes are a gift" but are they always ... Certainly, there are miskakes you can make that derail, confuse, or even ruin a scene. So are there some moves that are better than others? Brought to you By: The Sonar Netwo

How to Launch a Show

Nov 27th, 2023 1h 1m

Not making a team can be frustrating. Not being hired by your local troupe or theatre can be heartbreaking, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave your improv journey in the hands of those theatres. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https:

Let’s Go to the Bar

Nov 22nd, 2023 47m 9s

This week Rob and Adam discuss team bonding, alternatives to rehearsals, and if you can get better at improv by just being friends with your team. Also, an important letter from THE BACKLINE MAILBAG, featuring John from Wisconsin.Brought to yo

Deconstructing the Deconstruction

Nov 8th, 2023 57m 31s

This week we open up The Backline Mailbag and answer your questions about the longform format The Deconstruction. Also discussed: Future Favors the Bold, types of longform openers, 2-person improv, Cubism, and so much more.Brought to you By: T

The Power of Object Work

Oct 26th, 2023 51m 33s

This week, Rob and Adam open up the Backline Mailbag to answer your questions. In this episode, you'll learn about object work and why it's neccessary, building constructs from character, and why physicality can be so hard for new improvisers.

How to Support (and Agitate) Your Partner

Oct 23rd, 2023 44m 3s

We've all heard the expression "Support your partner", in this episode Rob and Adam discuss support, agitation, heightening through proximity, and dynamics. PLUS Martin Short, comedy criticism, 2000 AD and Jeopardy. Brought to you By: The Son

Starting Something New

Oct 18th, 2023 57m 11s

Adam and Rob return for a new season of The Backline! This week Rob and Adam chat about beginning scenes, deals, the moment before, Johnstonian platforms, UCB initations, and so much more.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarn

End of the Scene

Jan 4th, 2023 1h 6m

For the final episode of the season, Rob and Adam discuss ending scenes from within the scenes, how to pull edits, and what a satisfying ending might look like. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Down With Warm-Ups

Dec 15th, 2022 57m 34s

Warm-ups are an essential part of any show or class. This week, Rob and Adam discuss types of warm-ups, why we do them, and what it means to warm-up before a show.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

The Bullet

Dec 8th, 2022 46m 29s

What does it mean to go first in an improv show? How does it affect the way you play? This week Rob and Adam are back to discuss cold rooms, running orders, and the selfless act of going firstBrought to you By: The Sonar Network https://theson

Creativity

Oct 2nd, 2022 1h 1m

This week, Rob and Adam discuss the shortcuts improvisers use to make a scene work and how true creativity might be the cost of using these shortcuts.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Imposter Syndrome

Sep 22nd, 2022 54m 39s

In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss feeling like you don't belong, ego trips, and knowing your own worth.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

The Mantra

Sep 8th, 2022 43m 39s

This week Rob and Adam discuss how to create characters, why space is necessary to find a character's point of view, and the instant invocation known as the Mantra.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Direct Energy

Aug 26th, 2022 44m 12s

In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss confusion around "energy", what it means, and what happens when you direct your intention at your scene partner. Also, Adam reveals his recipe for the perfect breakfast sandwich.Brought to you By: The Sona

Finding Your Partner

Aug 26th, 2022 50m 14s

This week Rob and Adam talk all things duo! From finding the right partner, to making scenes work, to the dangers of playing a 2-person show!Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Translation

Jul 29th, 2022 1h 34m

There are thousands of improv theatres and schools across the globe, each with their own style of improv. How do you find common ground onstage? How much can you expect of your scene partner? Is anything constant on all improv stages?Brought

Burns

Jul 22nd, 2022 48m 25s

This episode Rob and Adam, discuss burns, roasts, and barbs. Also, why we burn, who to burn, and why saying mean things isn't always an act of cruelty.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

So We Bought An Improv School

Jul 8th, 2022 52m 25s

In this episode, Rob and Adam fantasize about building a training centre. What does it look like? Who are the teachers? Who are the students? Also: the internet is bad, The Secret of Mana, and improv shows where other performers heckle you.Br