Subvert Expectations

I’m Michael Bradt for The Bit Theater. A very wise improviser once told me, “If you satisfy an audience’s expectations, you’ve failed as an improviser.” As an improviser, it’s not your job to satisfy an audience’s expectations. It’s your job to subvert your audience’s expectations. Improvising is all about creating something new. Predictability can be the bane of an improviser’s existence. If you’re onstage merely satisfying the audience’s expectations, why are you up there, and why are they down in the house? Make it your goal to subvert your audience’s expectations. 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.