Your Improv Brain

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 assumpt...

SURPRISE! I'm back. Hi! :)

Starting a scene with two people standing there asking "who are you?" or explaining a bunch of backstory is one of the quickest ways to lose your audience. In this episode, I talk about why exposition bogs down the top of your scene and how starting in the middle of the action gives your scene immediate momentum.

This is the first in a short four episode series about the top of the scene, initiations, and ...

Get the PDF "Vocal Basics for Improv" with all the exercises and concepts from this episode at https://improvupdate.com/downloads.

This episode is all about using your voice in improv. You do not need to do "funny voices" to be a good performer, you can work with the attributes of your own voice and make some subtle shifts.

I explain how to use your own voice effectively. These subtle changes to your vocal dynamics can create clear...

In this episode, I explain how to commit to your authentic self in your improv practice. You will learn to reframe perceived weaknesses into compelling strengths on stage. Your messy and imperfect parts are exactly what your scenes need.

I discuss how neurodivergent performers can use their unique traits. The episode also covers how to collaborate effectively with scene partners who have different brain wiring. I share a personal st...

In this episode, I'm really getting into what I believe is the most important element for creating a compelling character: their point of view. I’ve found that the most interesting thing about a character isn't what they do, but why they do it. A strong, consistent POV is the lens through which your character sees the world, and it’s what separates a memorable performance from a flat cliche.

First, I'll give you a clear de...

Alt title: Get to Skin Suit Town: 3 Exercises to Improve Your Acting

In this episode, I'm diving into one of the best acting exercises you can give yourself: practicing scene work with little dialogue, or even none at all. I’ve found that learning to use physicality, emotional reactions, and environment is what changes a performance from "just saying words real good" to truly embodying a believable character. Or like... as I like t...

Your inner critic might be a key reason you feel stuck, anxious, or in your head during an improv scene. But trying to fight it or ignore it doesn't work. This episode reveals a completely different approach: give that critical energy to your character.

I break down the science of why your brain creates that critical voice and how it’s connected to a deep fear of social rejection. You will learn a practical three-step system for wor...

We know that failure is the engine of learning, but how do you actually practice it in a safe and productive way?

In this episode, I provide a full workout plan with SIX specific exercises designed to put you in challenging situations.

Learn practical drills for your practice groups or classes that train you to handle wild scenes, distracting environments, and even challenging scene partners. This is your guide to getting your reps...

We are often taught that forgetting is a weakness, especially in improv where details seem really important. It's what we practice all the time!

However, forgetting can be a skill to practice. In this episode, I explore the science behind why our brains are designed to forget, and how we can use this adaptive process to our advantage in our scenes and shows.

Learn how letting go of details can reduce cognitive load, improve listenin...

What if the key to becoming a great improviser is the number of failures you accumulate?

That moment when you feel like you have failed in a scene, or a scene is falling flat, can feel awful. But it is also one of the most valuable data points for your growth.

In this episode, I help you reframe failure as a solvable technical problem. You will learn a toolkit of seven specific, actionable techniques to use that moment you feel a sc...

To be a successful improviser, you have to communicate effectively with everyone on your team. But what happens when people think, communicate, and experience the world differently?

In this episode, I break down the common causes of communication breakdown between improvisers, and why assuming everyone is on the same page can lead to invisible struggles and burnout.

Discover the single most important skill that allows great improvi...

That feeling of your mind going completely blank on stage is a top fear for any performer. But what if it's not a personal failure?

This week, I explain how this is often a biological response to being overwhelmed, not a lack of ideas.

In this episode, you'll learn a simple, three-step system to effectively reboot your brain when it crashes. This practical technique works with your body's natural responses to get you out of your he...

Feeling frustrated, stuck, or even like you're getting worse at improv? This episode reframes the struggle.

Discover the difference between productive learning pain and the unnecessary pain that you can walk away from. Learn a clear framework to assess your comedy practice, connect with your "why," and decide if your creative struggle is worth it. Doing this can help you re-engage in improv with more confidence and purpose. And may...

If you struggle to come up with specific or original ideas in your improv scenes, there's something you can do between scenes to help with that struggle.

This episode of Your Improv Brain reframes the problem of trying to get ideas into a scene. Discover why the key to better creative output isn't forced thinking, but quality input and curiosity to get it there. So you can use your noggin RAM.

Learn a practical, no-cost method to fue...

Are you sacrificing your well-being for your improv team? This episode of Your Improv Brain challenges the myth that good improvisers must be comedy doormats. Always saying yes outside the scene doesn't help your scene partner in the end.

Discover why putting yourself last leads to burnout and how "doing comedy for you first" actually creates more exciting, sustainable, and authentic performances for everyone. Learn practical ways t...

Tired of being told to "just react like you would in real life" to ground an improv scene? This episode of Your Improv Brain explores advanced techniques for playing the voice of reason or grounded characters in a scene or sustaining them long-term.

Discover how shifting from simply "acting normal" to dynamically balancing the scene can make you a more adaptable, supportive, and funnier improviser, especially if "normal" feels chall...

Tired of being told to "get out of your head"? This episode of Your Improv Brain explores a different approach. Discover how your active inner voice, often seen as a distraction, can actually become a powerful tool for your improv.

Host Jen deHaan and guest Sabrina Banes discuss practical ways to understand and even harness your mental chatter for more grounded, spontaneous, and less anxious performances.

How can an inner monologue ...

This episode provides general suggestions to comedians, especially neurodivergent ones like us autistic and ADHD actors in comedy and improv, to protect our minds while engaging in comedy and with others in the community.

Find the video for this episode (has my face, not just captions): YouTube video (you can leave your input here!)

Find the written article for this episode here: NeurodiversityImprov.com article (you can also leave ...

This marks one year of making podcast episodes! There are some changes happening next week, and here's what those changes are. And the things not changing (most of it isn't change). Yeah, STUFF IS HAPPENING!

This kinda-but-not-really-an-episode talks about how this series started, and what I have planned with the name change for the podcast project.

Downloadable content

Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent t...