The Three Best Ways to Learn (or Improve) at Improv

NEW WORKSHOPS! Find all the information on the newly released website at https://YourImprovBrain.com/offscriptSomeone asked in an improv forum how you should actually learn improv, whether that's doing scenes, watching other people, or reading and talking theory. I had a big enough answer that I rebooted the podcast to give it, and to add the one way a lot of people skip or don't think is "a thing" I guess.I walk through how I'd rank the ways to learn improv, starting with the one that counts most by a lot, then the second thing that shapes your taste and your skills over time. After that I get into the most underused way to get better, I think, and probably the central idea of this whole show really.If you're neurodivergent, this is also how you work out which standard improv notes fit your brain and which ones you can set aside, and that changed a lot for me.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Why doing improv beats every other way to learn it, and by how muchWhat to actually pay attention to when you watch better improvisersThe most underused way to get better, and why classes rarely mention itHow to study your own improv brain so it shows up in scenes without thinking, hell yeahWhich improv notes to keep and which ones to chuck out based on how your brain worksCHAPTERS:0:00 The forum question that kicked this off1:50 Why actually doing improv beats everything else2:21 What to watch for when you watch better improvisers3:19 The most underused way to learn improv4:27 What metacognition means for your improv brain9:03 Two things to avoid when you look back at a scene10:56 What you actually get from studying your own improv13:49 How this quiets comparison and self-criticism20:50 A simple way to start after your next set22:32 Off Script: doing this reflection with structure, if that helpsRESOURCES:My answer to the original forum question https://www.facebook.com/groups/improvtalk/posts/2860434757656333/Post-session reflection sheet (linked in my newsletter) and Off Script workshops at https://yourimprovbrain.comRELATED EPISODES:E31: Clear Mind = Get Out of Your Head in Improv: https://youtu.be/QtTu7SvUm-AE33: 3-Step System & Exercise to Manage Self-Criticism in Improv https://youtu.be/d7X1gFgtkn8Downloadable 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