Small Talk On a Big Stage

We do our best to see as many improv groups perform as possible. First, it's common courtesy to support your fellow artists, and second, it's important to observe others in the act of creating art so you can better critique and improve your own work.

As we watched, one common thread began to emerge among some of the groups: the practice of engaging in non-productive small talk in scenes.

We all need to be conservative with our time and energy on stage; we don't have the luxury of wasting time that might otherwise be going toward advancing or expanding our story. On too many occasions, however, we've witnessed actors engaging in conversations that neither added information nor pushed the story forward. They were chatting.

"Pay closer attention
to what is

being said on stage"

It must have seemed to them as if they were being productive; they were talking about stuff, but that stuff was trivial and unimportant. It wasn't building character or environment, it wasn't driving the plot, and it wasn't creating conflict. At times it seemed as if there was conflict, but in reality it was only argument.

Dialogue must be purposeful. Ask yourself this question: if I were watching a TV show or movie, or reading a book with dialogue like this, would it hold my interest? Would I watch or read it again? Would I recommend it to my friends? If the answer is "No," then pay closer attention to what is being said on stage.

Dialogue should:

• Reveal character
• Create environment
• Drive the story (plot) forward
• Create/enhance conflict

But what if my character likes small talk? Well, that would technically fall under "reveal character," but be careful you aren't using that as an excuse. Non-purposeful dialogue is a fear reaction, a sneaky form of bridging. Make sure that character also provides dialogue that serves a purpose, otherwise you're wasting everyone's time. The audience deserves to hear what's behind the small talk. Delve deeper and release what's inside.

One easy way to push yourself to use purposeful dialogue is to create a strong character. If the character is well defined, the dialogue should come naturally. Once you have set your environment, put you character in it with all your energy, and trust what the character has to say. Listen to yourself, and if you find yourself babbling, adjust.

Trust that you have something useful and important to say. If you don't, then cede the focus to someone who does, and retake the focus when you do have something purposeful to say. Silence is not a sin; it's a choice that is as purposeful as saying something out loud.

Happy improvising!