Improv Advent #9

9 - Shaking hands and kissing babies

Improv is not a big community. It's very much a niche type of theater. The disadvantage to this is that it can be difficult to explain (No, it's not like stand up. It's not always like Who's Line... uh ... it's like SNL but we don't have a script. No really, we don't know what we're going to do....),  but the advantage is that the people who are committed to it are really  committed to it.

I'm in Pittsburgh, at best a tertiary market, and I'm really lucky to be doing my work during a serious upswing in interest. What this means is it is extremely important to be supportive and open to other people who are getting into and working on their craft. We're all on the same side, and it'll do you craft and soul good to make sure that you're out there getting to know and finding the time to support you colleagues.

There are only so many hours and nights in a week, but find a way to go out and meet the local people that are passionate about improv like you are. You don't have to make it a full-time job (as exciting a prospect that is) but make an effort to keep abreast of what's going on in your backyard. You never know who could be doing things that will inspire you. You never know if you'll meet someone who you can help on their journey. And we all need to pitch in to maximize success.

Not all improvisers are extroverts, but even if you're not (I'm definitely not) go out every once in awhile. Shake hands, see what's coming down the pike, kiss babies, encourage young talent. It's easy to indulge in dismissal and negativity, I'm as guilty as anyone, but for an artform that is predicated on agreement and collaboration that kind of attitude is poison. Give a hand, guide when you can and but out when you know you should.

Rising tide lifts all ships.

At least where I am, we're not gunning for writing jobs, we're not fighting to get parts,  we're all in this for the love of it. Approach it all with that love.

I may be a Pollyanna in the worst way but that's the truth: Love all the people.