I was parousing (computer/dictionary says that isn’t a word, I say it is) Reddit today and came a cross a thread which asked people “what was the best money they ever spent?” Oddly enough, this lead me to an improv thought.
To my surprise, most people didn’t talk about TVs, computers, or cars. They were mostly practical and charitable. The three that stuck out to me (and others, as they were heavily upvoted) were the following:
1. Whenever anyone gave money to a homeless person and it turned that person’s life around.
2. Condoms
3. Preparation H Wipes
I know the list gets progressively silly in a way but hear me out. I think at the core of these there is something that we all can relate to and understand. Here’s how I think they apply to improv, respectively:
1. People like helping other people. It makes the helped feel good, the helper feel good and everyone who hears/sees it approves. Think about that when you’re in a scene. You are there to help someone else. There are few things more satisfying than setting up your scene partner with something that can help them progress and succeed. It’s also something an audience will recognize.
2. People like being protected. Whether it’s from something that is going to harm their well being directly or if it’s going to harm them by giving them a responsibility they don’t want. Your scene partner (like your genitalia) needs to be protected from harm.
3. It’s nice to have a little relief. Be the Hemroid Wipe on your team that relieves any type of stress or uncomfortable situation your scene partner might be in. Make things OK.
There was also a post that everyone upvoted about going to a state fair for $6 that included a performance by Weird Al. That doesn’t apply to improv but that’s a real good get if you ask me!
