Episodes

  • Three Ghosts of Improv

    Three Ghosts of Improv
    Dec 24 2024
    It's the season finale of The Backline. This episode Adam and Rob reflect, vivisect, and/or project the past, present, and future of improv. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    34 mins
  • Too Many Teachers

    Too Many Teachers
    Dec 9 2024
    It seems like there's a billion improv teachers each with their own philosophy, terms and way of improvising. But what do you do when those ideas contradict each other? Who do you listen to? How do you choose what you to practice onstage? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    42 mins
  • Defensive

    Defensive
    Nov 29 2024
    To perform comedy, you have to be vulnerable - but its incredible difficult to do so when surrounded by people who make fun of things for a living. In this episode Rob and Adam discuss vulnerability, courage, likability, and uncynical play. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    53 mins
  • Playing the Verb

    Playing the Verb
    Nov 22 2024
    In this episode, Rob and Adam open up the Backline Mailbag to answer listener questions about Rob's book Improvising Now: A Practical Guide to Modern Improv and the new concept of "The Act of ..." Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    38 mins
  • A Comprehensive Guide to All Shortform Games – Part Two

    A Comprehensive Guide to All Shortform Games – Part Two
    Nov 11 2024
    This week Adam and Rob, use extensive metrics and data (definitely not just their opinion) to determine an ongoing ranking system for all shortform games. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Auditions and Disappointment

    Auditions and Disappointment
    Nov 4 2024
    After a big audition, it's not uncommon to be disappointed with the results. This week Adam and Rob discuss their own feelings about rejection, disappointment, and feeling lost. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    52 mins
  • Control

    Control
    Oct 9 2024
    Built into the fabric of improv is going with the flow, not thinking ahead, and letting go of control. But being completely "out of control" isn't a good thing either? This week, Rob and Adam discuss the need to control what happens next. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    53 mins
  • Teaching Your First Workshop

    Teaching Your First Workshop
    Oct 1 2024
    Eventually, every improv professional needs to teach their first class. But what about? How do you pick a topic? How do you make that workshop successful? Is there any pitfalss to avoid? In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss teaching your first workshop. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    48 mins