While I think it’s always a good idea to focus on the characters in a scene, I think a lesson that resonates more with me is have fun, because there is no reason not to – it’s only improv.

Similar to the “Perform each scene like it will be your last” note, one of the best notes I’ve heard recently was to have fun in your scenes because that’s the last time those 2 characters are ever going to be together in that circumstance.

I am an improviser who likes to read the lay of the land beforehand and while I did audition with two people I knew (unintentionally mind you) I found my most rewarding scene was the one I had actually never worked with before, but had a class with. I knew his playing style and knew that if I listened actively, I would be rewarded with smart, on game gifts.

I’m not saying you should only work with the people you know, more that I feel comforted knowing there are people on the back line I know have my back.

This is however not what I wrote, so I guess that’s a problem.

I think part of it is what she said about being more alert and on your toes. Also, I think I get distracted by thinking about how my friends’ auditions are going, what they think of my scenes, whether I’m making them look bad, etc. Not like my friends are gonna think less of me if I have a shitty audition, but I guess it’s weird to have them there.

It’s easier for me if it just feels like MY audition, I guess. When I’ve auditioned with strangers and done well, I had no expectations of them, and that sort of freed me up.

But everyone’s different!