The Backline

It's the launch of Season 9! Rob and Adam discuss how to start off a monoscene, things to avoid in your initiation, and finding a nonverbal, secret contract between you and your scene partner. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

It's the season finale of The Backline.  This episode Adam and Rob reflect, vivisect, and/or project the past, present, and future of improv. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

It seems like there's a billion improv teachers each with their own philosophy, terms and way of improvising.  But what do you do when those ideas contradict each other? Who do you listen to? How do you choose what you to practice onstage?  Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

To perform comedy, you have to be vulnerable - but its incredible difficult to do so when surrounded by people who make fun of things for a living. In this episode Rob and Adam discuss vulnerability, courage, likability, and uncynical play. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

In this episode, Rob and Adam open up the Backline Mailbag to answer listener questions about Rob's book Improvising Now: A Practical Guide to Modern Improv and the new concept of "The Act of ..." Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

This week Adam and Rob, use extensive metrics and data (definitely not just their opinion) to determine an ongoing ranking system for all shortform games.  Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

After a big audition, it's not uncommon to be disappointed with the results. This week Adam and Rob discuss their own feelings about rejection, disappointment, and feeling lost. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Built into the fabric of improv is going with the flow, not thinking ahead, and letting go of control.  But being completely "out of control" isn't a good thing either? This week, Rob and Adam discuss the need to control what happens next. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Eventually, every improv professional needs to teach their first class. But what about? How do you pick a topic? How do you make that workshop successful? Is there any pitfalss to avoid?  In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss teaching your first workshop. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Strong characters! It's whatever everyone wants to do onstage. In this episode, Rob and Adam go over techniques, tricks and tips for better characters. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Can improv be taught? What about funny? What about stage presence? What about "star power"? This episode Rob and Adam discuss what can and cannot be taught in the classroom and the mysterious, and amorphous qualities make for a great improviser. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

This episode Rob and Adam discuss the powers of game tape, the shame of watching yourself, and how to challenge yourself to be a better player. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

At a certain point, you have to let go of The Rules. This week, Rob and Adam discuss forgetting what you're learned and why it's so important for your play. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

This week Rob and Adam open up the Backline Mail Bag to answer all your questions. If you have your own questions find us @thebackinepod on Instagram and drop us a line. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

This week Adam and Rob, use extensive metrics and data (definitely not just their opinion) to determine a complete ranking system for all shortform games. This episode details the secrets of making a perfect shortform show. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

This week Adam and Rob, use extensive metrics and data (definitely not just their opinion) to determine a complete ranking system for all shortform games. This episode details the secrets of making a perfect shortform show. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

This week Adam and Rob, use extensive metrics and data (definitely not just their opinion) to determine a complete ranking system for all shortform games. This episode details the secrets of making a perfect shortform show. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

This week Adam and Rob, use extensive metrics and data (definitely not just their opinion) to determine a complete ranking system for all shortform games. This episode details the secrets of making a perfect shortform show. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

This week Adam and Rob, use extensive metrics and data (definitely not just their opinion) to determine a complete ranking system for all shortform games. This episode details the secrets of making a perfect shortform show. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Improv is supposed to be easy, comfortable, and fun.  But what happens when improv gets hard? Should you quit? Should you work harder? What do you do when improv isn't fun anymore? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

There are few things more taboo than going negative on an improv stage. But does negativity at the start of a scene preempt the possibility of a playable dynamic? What does it mean to go negative onstage and why do some improvisers love doing it? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

No training. No teaching experience. A classroom full of students. What could possibly go wrong? This week Rob and Adam discuss the challenges of teaching improv, their pet peeves in a classroom, and mistakes they've made along the way. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Sometimes you step onstage with someone and it just feels right. Other times … it's confusing, turbulent, and awkward. What makes for good chemistry onstage? What can you do if you're struggling to connect with your Harold team? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Years ago, if you grew up in an "improv town" you would train at a local improv school and and learn from local instructors. Unless you moved cities or frequented comedy festivals, you didn't have a chance to learn a different style or technique.  Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

What do you do when your parnter is COOKING, and you are clearly not?  In this episode, Adam and Rob discuss how deal with a partner who seems to be dominating a scene and you feel stuck. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss DEAFO - a new system for creating more dynamic, intersting stage pictures.  Also on this episode, heightening through proximity, and intentionally throwing your scene off-kilter, and five sweet spots. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Amongst the many terms improvisers have invented to describe a bad scene, "Crazytown" might be the most evocative.  This week Rob and Adam discuss scenes that try to do too much, too soon - and how to prevent your scenes from going off the rails. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Rob and Adam discuss what to do when a scene fails, how to fail gracefully, and how to get a struggling scene back on track. Also on the episode: recent travels across the US, Rob's artistic residency in Sweden, the best pizza and an adult love of trains. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

In this epsiode, Rob and Adam discuss what to do if you are obligated to create the who, what, where in the first 30 seconds of your scene. How much information should you add? How much room should you leave for you partner to contribute? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

This week Rob and Adam chat about improv festivals: how to run it, how to market it, and the small perks that make it all worthwhile. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

We all know the Harold, and The Montage - but what's in the in-between? Are there some formats better for new players than others? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

In the final rundown of 2023, Rob and Adam share the gifts of what's making them feel thankful this holiday season. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Improv dogma tells us, "Mistakes are a gift" but are they always ... Certainly, there are miskakes you can make that derail, confuse, or even ruin a scene. So are there some moves that are better than others? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Not making a team can be frustrating. Not being hired by your local troupe or theatre can be heartbreaking, but that doesn't mean you have to leave your improv journey in the hands of those theatres. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

This week Rob and Adam discuss team bonding, alternatives to rehearsals, and if you can get better at improv by just being friends with your team. Also, an important letter from THE BACKLINE MAILBAG, featuring John from Wisconsin. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

This week we open up The Backline Mailbag and answer your questions about the longform format The Deconstruction. Also discussed: Future Favors the Bold, types of longform openers, 2-person improv, Cubism, and so much more. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

This week, Rob and Adam open up the Backline Mailbag to answer your questions. In this episode, you'll learn about object work and why it's neccessary, building constructs from character, and why physicality can be so hard for new improvisers. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

We've all heard the expression "Support your partner", in this episode Rob and Adam discuss support, agitation, heightening through proximity, and dynamics.  PLUS Martin Short, comedy criticism, 2000 AD and Jeopardy.  Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Adam and Rob return for a new season of The Backline! This week Rob and Adam chat about beginning scenes, deals, the moment before, Johnstonian platforms, UCB initations, and so much more. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

For the final episode of the season, Rob and Adam discuss ending scenes from within the scenes, how to pull edits, and what a satisfying ending might look like. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Warm-ups are an essential part of any show or class. This week, Rob and Adam discuss types of warm-ups, why we do them, and what it means to warm-up before a show. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

What does it mean to go first in an improv show? How does it affect the way you play? This week Rob and Adam are back to discuss cold rooms, running orders, and the selfless act of going first Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/