Improvisation In Chicago

Many clients come to Chicago to cast because we are the improvisation capital of the world and they are looking for great improvisers.  Some of the most talented and successful comedians have come through Chicago’s improv circuit, including John Belushi, Chris Farley, Mike Meyers, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Eric Stonestreet and hundreds of other actors, writers and producers. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard actors say “Well I’m a dramatic actor and don’t need comedy skills” or something similar. Think Meryl Streep ever said that? Gone are the days when an actor doesn’t have to be multi-dimensional. Think about the film “The Artist”. When talkies arrived, he didn’t have a place in the acting world. Do you want to be a dinosaur? All forms of acting require the tools you learn from the art of Improvisation – listening, affirming, being present/in the moment, and supporting your fellow actors are just a few things. No one can teach you how to be funny, but you can learn how to react in situations that require quick thinking, wit and how to trust yourself and rely on others. Ever been asked to do a cold dramatic reading? With an improv background, you’d have confidence and the ability to go with the flow and if you make a mistake you’ll know how to cover it. And it makes you much more fun to be around on set. Make a director laugh and they’ll want to book you and hang out with you all day or for weeks, etc.  So get out there and take some improv classes with an understanding of how it relates to on-camera projects.  BIG NOTE:  Understand that subtle goes a long way in auditioning.  Just because we say improvisation or ad lib, doesn’t mean to go all Fozzie Bear with it.