Chicago also has more improv than any city in the world.

“You gotta know the rules before you can break them.” I’ve never liked

that expression. If they’re eventually going to be useless, you’ve probably picked the wrong rules in the first place.

clever premises can be a bit of a trap, because they can make us feel that once we reveal the clever premise we’ve done all the work we need to do for a successful scene. In fact, our scene, and our workload, have only just begun at that point. Strong players don’t need funny ideas; they make simple ideas funny by playing them well.

feelings like disappointment, failed expectations, and the notion that one’s will is being resisted. These are valuable components to defining a point of view.

You don’t need a funny first line or funny response to have a successful scene.

Don’t blame an outside force of higher status. You did whatever you did because of a flaw in your moral character that you’re either proud or ashamed of.

teachings. For an audience to laugh or cry, they must care. For them to care, they must believe.

Playing the simple reality that your scene presents to you is always a strong and correct choice.