Matt and Steve are friends and improvisers. These are friendly chats they have about improv.
“Have some fun with your new friends.”
Steve: Well, first I think we should pass on Craig’s advice about improv auditions. Do three things: Initiate a scene, support a scene, show some range
Most of the time, the energy in an audition can be funky.
Matt: Yeah, you feel like if you support the other guy’s move, you make him look better, which means you won’t get noticed as much. It’s tough to make the other person look good when you’re competing for slots.
Steve: Or, they’re so spaz-town and keyed up. No matter what, you can’t do a scene with them.
Matt: Oh yeah, and they’re throwing six different trains of thought at you. “Grandpa, I don’t like this shirt because when I was a boy you pushed me down an enclosed slide and I got scratched by a cat…” that’s definitely where the basic training kicks in. What was the last thing said, how do you feel about that?
Steve: I think I’m the most successful, and I like watching people, approaching it as calm and confident. Not pushy. Just be in the moment, and enjoy it line by line, the basics.
Matt: The kind of person I would want to be in an audition with plays hard, supports just as hard and is engaged in the whole thing
Steve: I want to be with someone who is confident and wants to have fun.
Matt: I want to see the most supportive person there. I think, as an auditioner, you have to trust that they will notice a big support move. I don’t want to be in a group that can’t spot that.
Steve: What’s your stance on having a character in your back pocket to do for an audition?
Matt: I don’t mind it, honestly. I mean, don’t come in and do a sketch but, if the southern accent guy normally works, I don’t mind seeing that character. Auditions are a time to let them know that you’re working with a solid base. What has been your experience in improv auditions?
Steve: My experience has been good for the most part. I’ve done like, 4 or 5 improv auditions. I think you have to not think about the outcome in order to have a good one. My Twisty audition was the worst I’ve done.
Matt: Tell me about that.
Steve: I was thinking, “oh I get this, next step a boat.” I viewed it as a stepping stone rather than just doing scenes. I played ‘nervous guy’ three scenes in a row. All I did was make references and try to be clever.
Matt: My worst audition was definitely the one for the Playground Incubator team.
Steve: The first month you were in the Chi?
Matt: I was so wrapped up in the perceived importance of it, that I froze.
Steve: Exactly.
Matt: There was an “everybody sings the national anthem” group game at the end of the audition set. I just walked around and looked at everybody like I didn’t understand what they were doing. Now I know I stood out like a sore thumb, not supporting the singing game. Strong supporting move? Didn’t make one.
Steve: Auditions are a lot of pressure. I get that it can be hard, hard, hard.
Matt: Even if your whole audition sucks, you could be a great improviser who isn’t that adept at auditions yet.
Steve: For sure.
Matt: You gotta put all that out of your mind and try to have some fun with your new friends.