A name can set status, but not in the way you think in Eastern improv. — Last weekend I had the pleasure of a Queen City Comedy class with improvisers from the USA. It was fantastic. One reflection was that many of scenes start with an opening line with a name. “You’re late, Steven.” “We need a holiday, John.” I’ve written before about how names narrow down the possibilities…

Everyone gets into a losing streak. Do boring things to snap out of it. — Improv is a mental sport. Therefore, the same mental problems in sports are the same in improv. I play lots of online chess. Now and then, I run into strings of fugly losses — hanging my queen, giving away checkmates, tantrums over the computer. No player escapes this. It usually…

There’s a concept used a lot in sports, but not talked about enough in improv, and that’s rhythm. This concept came to me as I was choking water in a pool. I’m a beginner swimmer; just learning the rhythms of freestyle breathing. There I was swimming at a nice rhythm…

Eye contact is important. I argue that breaking eye contact is even more important — whether you break eye contact by force or by choice, determines your status. But at the end of the day, it is a cultural thing. — Recently I saw a question on an improv FB group, tips on how to be “in the moment”. Among the repeated answers was, eye contact. “Eye contact, eye contact, eye contact.” Maintain eye contact. I see where it’s coming from. But I don’t 100% subscribe to this myself. Blasphemous to…

As improv teachers, we all want to show everything. But it’s good to leave room for students to make their own discovery — Tourist season is back now that travel is in full swing. Improv friends from afar come to Oslo. I get really excited to show them ALL foodie places in Oslo. I want to make sure they don’t miss ANYTHING. I made a foodie map, even. But this is my mistake…

Of all the things I created, I have a special place for CLOUD ATLAS. I like having a bit of cultural touch to my improv scene. Most of them have been of Asian culture, given who I am, with teams like Monosodium Glutamates, and Herring and Chopsticks, and the online…

What you can still learn from a basic exercise — I’m always amazed at how much insight you get from the simplest of improv exercises. In this case, it is the circle game “Zip, Zap, Boing” (Zip=pass to next; Zap=pass across circle; Boing=return to sender), which might be our first improv exercise ever. …

I like USA. I was chatting with a good (US-)American friend about a podcast, when they said, “It’s just like NPR.” “What’s NPR?” “It’s like PBS. Oh right, PBS is also an American reference.” “That’s ok. I know PBS.” (public radio) I do fool some people that I know all…

Don’t be precious to throw away your idea — We often make a personal rule which works for us, right? A rule I made up for myself is a “5 Second Rule” (You won’t find it in improv textbooks) Let’s say I am on the sideline/backline with an idea for a walk-on or an edit. …