IMPROV 502
NARRATIVE IMPROV DROP IN CLASS
Taught By Stefan Gearhart

What is Narrative Improv?

In narrative improvisation, performers create a complete story based on audience suggestions. As opposed to other improv that focuses primarily on the joke, narrative improv cares most about creating a story that not only makes the audience laugh, but has a complete arc from beginning to end. It requires grounded characters with strong objectives, meaningful relationships, and clear environments. Narrative improv blends the excitement of spontaneity with the emotional depth of a traditional theatre experience. At Impro, performances are often genre-driven, where the improviser can sink their teeth into a style through research and exploration of themes, archetypes, and motifs.

Why learn narrative improv?

Whether you are a professional actor or an improv enthusiast, stories are a part of our everyday life. Stories are how we share ideas with one another. And in improv, telling stories transcends the art form from being a series of jokes to being an experience the audience and the performer will remember for a long time. Narrative improv stories not only make you laugh, but make you think and feel.

For the professional actor, more and more, casting directors are looking for improvisers who can do more than just tell a joke. They want actors who can keep the reality of the scene. Who have an understanding of the bigger picture and where their character fits within that. Directors very often ask actors to improvise, and they are not always looking for a joke. They want to see what happens when you invest in the character within the given circumstances of the scene. So whether you do comedy or drama, narrative improv will make you a stronger actor.

Taught by Stefan Gearhart of Sidetracked Improv and the Creative Producer of Louisville's Damn Good Improv Festival. He has been teaching and performing for 20 years.