Railroading

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. A student recently asked me how to handle a fellow improviser who is railroading him onstage. My strategy on those types of improvisers has been to kill them with “Yes, and.” If an improviser denies or ignores my reality, it’s no sweat. I’ll go with their reality. And if they change that up on me again, I’ll roll with whatever they throw at me. You can only be tripped up onstage if you allow yourself to be tripped up onstage. Keep your mind limber, and go with the flow of the scene, and it won’t matter how much anyone else on stage tries to railroad you. Also, please try not to railroad each other. That’s your improv tip for the day. If you have a rehearsal, class, audition, or show tonight, break a leg, and I will see you next time.