17 – Musical Improv

17 – Musical Improv

Author: Curtis Retherford April 26, 2018 Duration: 1:24:07
Musical improv is exactly what it sounds like: an improvised musical. A bit of dialogue, and then a lot of singing and […]

Ever wonder how the best improvisers build entire worlds out of thin air? Improv, Beat by Beat pulls back the curtain on that very process. Host Curtis Retherford sits down with seasoned performers from the legendary UCB Theatre in New York City, but instead of just trading backstage stories, they break down the craft of long-form improv into its essential components. Each conversation focuses on a single, crucial concept-whether it’s finding the game of a scene, building a grounded character, or navigating a group mind-and examines it with a practical, detailed lens. You’ll hear these artists dissect their own choices and thought processes, offering a rare glimpse into the mechanics of spontaneous creation. This isn't about quick jokes or one-liners; it's about the foundational tools that make unscripted comedy compelling and real. The discussions are insightful, often funny, and always geared toward understanding the 'why' behind the 'yes, and.' Tune in to this podcast for a masterclass in comedic intuition, straight from the practitioners who live it on stage. Whether you're an aspiring performer, a writer, or simply curious about the art of making things up, you'll find something to think about in every episode.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 27

Improv, Beat by Beat
Podcast Episodes
16 – House Teams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:09
A house team is a team that is created to perform regularly at a particular theater. At UCB NY, there are 3 […]
15 – Forms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:35
Your first several years of learning long form improv will likely focus on scenework, the Harold, montages, and perhaps another form or […]
14 – The Monoscene [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:44
The Monoscene is a form in which the location never changes: there are no edits. In this episode, we talk about how […]
13 – Acting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:52
Improv scenes should be more than just reciting lines. In this episode, we talk about how acting influences improv, and how to […]
12 – The Harold: 2nd and 3rd Beats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:45
In a Harold, after the first beats and the first group game, the team returns to the first 3 games for second […]
11 – Auditioning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:22
Most theaters hold auditions to add people to their house teams. Every year around 600 people audition for UCBNY house teams. Molly […]
10 – The Harold: Group Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:21
In a Harold, in between each set of beats is a group scene. These scenes can be tough if the entire team […]
09 – Best Notes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:24
Each improvisor recounts the notes that shaped their understanding of improv or their understanding of themselves as improvisors. Featuring Jessica Morgan, Lydia Hensler, Jesse Lee, Jenny […]
08 – The Harold: 1st Beats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:48
The 1st beats of the Harold are the most important part of the Harold. In each 1st beat, the ideas from the […]
07 – The Pattern Game [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:41
The Pattern Game is one of the fundamental Harold openings. It can seem intimidating at first, but once mastered it can be […]