Assume, don't ask: how to start better improv scenes

About this episode

This episode discusses how to effectively start improv scenes by making assumptions rather than asking questions.

Questions at the top of a scene are an advanced move, and if you're still building your skills, they can stall your scene before it gets going. In this episode I break down why questions are tricky at the top, what makes a good question versus a bad one in improv, and how assuming shared history with your scene partner gets things moving faster. I also talk about something that tripped me up early on: the weirdness of making assumptions about another person's character. If that feels uncomfortable to you, especially if you're someone whose brain flags assumptions as unfair, that makes sense. I get into why and how the pivot that comes from those assumptions can actually become the fun part. Two exercises in this one. A partner drill using "you look / you seem / you feel" to practise adding information without questions, and a solo version using a one-sided phone call format to train your assumed knowledge muscle. This is part of a series on the top of the scene, initiations, and base reality. Resources and downloads: https://improvupdate.com Article for this episode: This episode is part of a four episode series available on YouTube and audio podcast. You can find an article for…

People in this episode

Host: Jen deHaan

Topics covered

• improv
• scene initiation
• assumptions
• character development
• improv exercises

Keywords

• improv scenes
• assumptions
• questions in improv
• scene partner
• improv exercises

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: improvupdate.com, YouTube

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