Are you the asshole?
The energy you bring to the stage has more of an impact on your work than you think
Chicago improviser Susan Messing often says “If I’m not having fun then I’m the asshole” when referring to improvising on stage. How true is this? Possibly more true than we at first realise.
In June I wrote about how fun can be the magic ingredient in a show but it turns out it’s not magic. It’s science (sort of).
I’m a big believer in getting into the weeds when practicing and training. Sometimes training can be hard. Reps build better improvisers. Coaching nudges you in a (hopefully) good direction. A bit of struggle takes you out of your comfort zone. However, I see little use for struggle and strife when playing on stage. Play and fun are key words here.
Having fun helps the production of oxytocin which helps foster trust, social bonds and connection. This article from the BBC dives into it more. It’s not a cure-all for being better on stage, but it’s likely to be helpful, especially in combination with other factors.
Having fun and playing can also increase norepinephrine levels. This is a neurotransmitter that enhances attention, alertness and focus, and it helps cognitive function and energy levels.
Combine these two benefits of having fun and you have a pretty mighty combination to help you on stage.
There’s just one thing - we can’t always time our improv shows for when we are in the best mood for having fun. Life happens. We have jobs that give us stress, interpersonal relationships that need dealing with, we get tired, we have annoying practical matters to sort. Sometimes we just don’t feel very fun. It’s all very well saying “have fun on stage” but when we don’t feel very fun, how do we access that important state?
For some of us, improv is the very escape we need and we can leave our problems at stage door. For others of us, it’s a bit more complex than that.
One thing I like to do before a show is give the chance for folks to offer up their dreams and aspirations for the show. I’m not sure where this idea came from originally but I think I got it from Jorin Garguilo from CIC in Chicago. I sometimes phrase it like this:
“If the opportunity presents itself, what sort of things would you like to do on stage tonight”
When asking this I’m not after specific content. I’m asking about types of scenes. For example: “I really like playing characters close to myself” or “If there’s a chance for a small moment of pathos I’d enjoy that”. These aren’t obligations to be fulfilled but opportunities to be seized if they present themselves. The idea is to get players to think about what would be fun and joyful for them and for those going on stage with them. It creates an invitation to play.
Are you an asshole if you don’t have fun? I don’t think so. Shit happens. However, I do think committing to facilitating a fun space is not only a good thing to do, but has a real benefit on an ensemble’s ability to create great work.
Shows
We are fast heading to final shows of the year. Get your secrets out before Christmas when you come to The Secret Show’s Christmas spectacular (well, just our usual show with some tinsel) at Fisher Gate Point in Nottingham on Saturday 20th December at 7.30pm. You can get your festive tickets here!
Have a great week,
Lloydie