Blog

Improv and Gardening, or The Joy of Planting Seeds

When we get on stage to do improv, we say we get on stage with nothing… But that’s not strictly true. We each bring with us our own cute, little tin of experience-seeds. The audience then give us a suggestion. This is our soil – our dirt – the nutrient-rich foundation in which we’re going to grow our garden

BlogLloydie James LloydMarch 30, 2021liam webber improviser, improv nottingham, improv in nottingham, gardening and improv, planting seeds in improv, audience suggestions improv, balance in improv

The strangest year for improv

For entire improv groups who have been performing in the same room together for years, it has been a hard shift. Some groups have done online shows, some groups have paused entirely. When this is “all over” (whatever that means now?) it is going to be interesting to see how improv builds back

Lloydie James LloydJanuary 1, 2021

Outside influences on your improv

It’s surely impossible not to draw on your real life in some way when you improvise. Everything you have ever experienced is at your disposal when you play characters on stage. You might not ever know what experience or part of your life your brain might be drawing from, but your entire life is at your brain’s disposal when you take to the stage to make up a show.

BlogLloydie James LloydNovember 17, 2020improv in nottingham, improvised comedy, improv podcasts, improvised theatre, musical improv, improvised musicals, lloydie improv, life skills improv, improv life skills, improv choir, improv podcast, improvised theater

You Don't Have To Improvise Online To Validate Yourself As An Improviser

I recently made two episodes about people who have chosen not to do online improv. When I asked for people to participate I had an overwhelming response. More than I have ever encountered for a podcast episode. The response afterwards was equally overwhelming these episodes are already two of the most listened-to episodes I have ever produced. Why?

BlogLloydie James LloydAugust 27, 2020online improv, taking a break from improv, The Maydays improv, john cremer, i've got your back, validation and improv

The unselfishness of breaks

While making the most recent Improv Chronicle episodes I’ve been talking to people who have been taking a break from improv during the pandemic. Sure, they’ve got the option to do online improv if they want to, but they have elected not to.

BlogLloydie James LloydAugust 5, 2020taking a break from improv, improvised comedy, improv comedy, improvised theatre, improvised theater, The Maydays, The Maydays improv, Washington DC improv, Pete Bergen improv, improv in nottingham

Please don’t stop the music

In the midst of a global pandemic it probably sounds a bit frivolous to say how much you miss singing. There is a lot going on right now and there are bigger problems that not being able to sing with other people. However, the power of music and the love of singing are important in millions of people’s lives.

BlogLloydie James LloydJune 22, 2020musical improv, singing, improvised musicals, improvised comedy, improvised theatre, improv in nottingham, improv podcasts, improv podcast, online improv

In Praise Of Two - Why Two Person Improv Is Special

Are two heads really better than eight (or nine or seven or however many there might be in an improv team)? I think “better” is the wrong word but there is something special about being in a two person improv show - if you have the right partner.