Answer The "More Energy" Improv Note Your OWN Way

You get the "more energy" note in improv and nobody tells you what to actually change. I take that note apart and look at what your teacher was probably reacting to.The energy note does a lot of work in one word, so it can mean several different things at once, and most of us never ask for the clarification. In this episode I go through what a coach might be seeing when a scene reads as underpowered, and the mechanical choices available to you at your completely normal speaking volume. I also get into why the thing most of us do when we feel underpowered tends to make it worse, and why the option nobody suggests might be the one that holds a room. Before improv I taught dance fitness, and the presence I learned there had less to do with being loud than you might think.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:What your teacher is probably reacting to when they say "more energy"The four things you can adjust without raising your volume at allWhy adding motion when you feel underpowered often reads as something else entirelyThe choice that can command a stage without you doing anythingHow to finish the energy note yourself instead of paying an improv taxCHAPTERS:0:00 What dance fitness taught me about presence2:35 Taking apart the "more energy" note3:05 Show ident3:50 Why the note is hard to use6:00 Focus, and where your attention goes7:19 Stance and where your weight sits8:27 Tempo and cadence in a scene9:13 How you take up the space10:59 Reading "more" as more intentional12:30 The option beyond movement13:48 Why we add motion when we feel underpowered15:16 Performance you might already be doing all day17:04 Choosing big when you want it18:47 Finishing the note yourselfRESOURCES:Previous episode on pauses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vWZM6qoEM8Off Script workshops: https://YourImprovBrain.com/offscriptDownloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://yourimprovbrain.com/notesGet a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You"Get more downloadable booklets here: https://yourimprovbrain.com/shopReview the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options.Apple Podcasts | PodchaserIt helps out! Thanks!Support the showLike this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://learn.improvupdate.com/products/supportWe love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytzWe have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8nddTranscriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqkSchedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZRSupport the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2jAboutThis podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here.This podcast was written, recorded and edited in British Columbia, Canada by Jen.Mentioned in this episode:Visit Your Improv BrainWorkshops, this show, newsletter & Jams, downloads and more. https://YourImprovBrain.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacyPodcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp