Shaking things up

LisaJackson · Post by **LisaJackson** » May 16th, 2012, 11:57 pm

Has anyone ever come to a point on their own improv rollercoaster where they were bored with their own improv? Still enjoying others' improv just not finding anything fun or interesting in their own performance. What did you do to shake it up?

mpbrockman · Post by **mpbrockman** » May 17th, 2012, 7:00 am

A) You might want to ask Merlin. She did a great newsletter on this very topic.

B) When I find myself losing enjoyment, it usually means I'm falling into patterns. When I hit a wall I try moving, for lack of a better word, sideways. Instead of trying to move up and beyond, I try to go around. It's like being in a maze and hitting a big pile of stuff that makes you realize you've been here before. Rather than climb over, I try to head off in a different direction.

I'm not explaining that very well. I need to find a better analogy.

Sometimes, too. My brain is telling me I need a break. In my case, I don't pick up a guitar (or whatever instrument) for a few days or even weeks. When I sit down with one again, I've got a whole new perspective. It's like picking up a new instrument.

FWIW.

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · May 17th, 2012, 9:10 am

not bored, as such. but i definitely hit that wall where i'm not satisfied with my work and i get frustrated very easily. once i get over the initial pissy artistic ennui, i use it as an opportunity to kind of host a one man performance lab. i try new stuff, take bigger risks, make bolder choices, try to perform in a way that i haven't before or haven't in a while. or even if i'm doing the same thing, doing it MORE! to borrow Brockman's analogy, i stop running into the wall and start trying to run THROUGH it.

and yeah, taking a break, stepping away, doing something else, letting your brain reset helps a lot in rediscovering the joy that drew you to it in the first place.

and always, always remember...you have magic powers.

sara farr · Post by **sara farr** » May 17th, 2012, 10:50 am

Yes, switch it up. For me it was "puppets". They are challenging and freeing at the same time. Other improv variations to try might include: silent improv; movement/dance; masks; working with music... or you can just play with new people that might inspire you.

Good luck!

vine311 · Post by **vine311** » May 17th, 2012, 11:51 am

I love playing with new people. Not just new to improv, but experienced folks that I rarely or have never played with before too. This always keeps me on my toes. Also, I love coming up with ridiculous formats that should never work and trying them out in shows like the Free Fringe...or every Improv for Evil show.

You might also consider trying more musical improv. That shit is hard and exhilarating. It's my favorite type of improv at the moment.

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · May 17th, 2012, 11:52 am

vine311 wrote: You might also consider trying more musical improv. That shit is hard and exhilarating. It's my favorite type of improv at the moment.

agreed! though it also seems to be the ONLY improv i'm doing at the moment, so...y'know...there's that too.

mpbrockman · Post by **mpbrockman** » May 17th, 2012, 2:36 pm

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell wrote:
vine311 wrote: You might also consider trying more musical improv. That shit is hard and exhilarating. It's my favorite type of improv at the moment.
agreed! though it also seems to be the ONLY improv i'm doing at the moment, so...y'know...there's that too.

My plan is working....

Post by **happywaffle** » May 17th, 2012, 2:46 pm

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell wrote:once i get over the initial pissy artistic ennui

Hahaha! Oh, Jordan.

mpbrockman · Post by **mpbrockman** » May 17th, 2012, 3:09 pm

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell wrote:... once i get over the initial pissy artistic ennui...

We're waiting...

mpbrockman · Post by **mpbrockman** » May 17th, 2012, 3:11 pm

Apparently, JTM - you set yourself up for that.

Snarky xposts.

mpbrockman · Post by **mpbrockman** » May 17th, 2012, 3:14 pm

vine311 wrote:I love playing with new people. Not just new to improv, but experienced folks that I rarely or have never played with before too. This always keeps me on my toes. Also, I love coming up with ridiculous formats that should never work and trying them out in shows like the Free Fringe...or every Improv for Evil show.

Yah, this too ^^^^

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · May 17th, 2012, 3:19 pm

mpbrockman wrote:
Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell wrote:... once i get over the initial pissy artistic ennui...
We're waiting...

it's been 16 years...we may still be waiting a while...

but then, we're ALL waiting...for the end...

::stares at rain pulling idly at one loose thread of the old sweatshirt she used to wear and somewhere there's a train or something::

vine311 · Post by **vine311** » May 17th, 2012, 3:24 pm

Dave Buckman gave me this tip once and it works...wear uncomfortable shoes. It totally changes your posture and the way you carry yourself. I found myself doing all kinds of weird characters just because I wasn't used to the shoes I was wearing. I assume the same could work for your entire outfit. Dress up nice. Dress up nerdy. Dress a little too revealing or put too many clothes on.

jillybee72 · Post by **jillybee72** » May 17th, 2012, 5:57 pm

Yes. That's when I started doing solo improv, to make myself nervous enough to almost puke again. Do something that scares you.

Alternately - cross-train. Take a tap class, or a tai chi class, or something else to make your brain go a different angle.