Learn The Past to “Improv” The Future

Thoughts on Improv Nation

At the Big Couch, we love to talk about improv. And, yes, our future venue will feature more than just comedy. Improv, though, is what inspired us to do what we are doing. That and the talented human beings that deserve a home for their amazing gifts. But, learning about improv is something we’re always game for, which is why we* read Improv Nation by Sam Wasson.

Subtitled as “How We Made a Great American Art,” Improv Nation is a historical account of how improvisation got started. It wasn’t always it’s own form. It started in play, as “theater games” to improve something else, and the book covers its progress into an end and not just a means. The artform’s beginnings center the story on Chicago, and travels to Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles, highlighting many of the names we know well, like Paul Sills, Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Del Close, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Christopher Guest, Amy Poehler, Jim Belushi, etc. etc. It doesn’t, however, mention the vibrant improv being done around the country in cities like Austin, Atlanta, and Minneapolis, which is certainly serving to elevate the form.

That’s not to say the book isn’t celebratory of the artform. It is, and that feels satisfying. It also covers all the styles of improv without passing judgment. Some critical analysis, however, would have been warranted, especially considering that some improv leaders were/are problematic. The fact that the book is scene oriented means that the author didn’t have to spend time on the figures in the history that are problematic. When it jumps through time and time the way it does, it takes you elsewhere. You get to determine what you keep in your brain, what you don’t let in, and what you might want to explore further. 

Overall, this book delivered information I didn’t have in an enjoyable way. Most importantly, however, Improv Nation gives us lots of ideas on how to explore the history of improv further. Delving into history permits us to learn what went right and identify with how to improve on it for the future. As they say, “you learn history so you don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.” What is the point in discovering how we got here if we aren’t going to use that knowledge to pave a more inclusive path forward. While we appreciate the playful start of improv, which intended to be an opportunity for freedom and growth, that opportunity must be available to all.

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*And, by “we” we mean Carrie (your humble writer) read it and then talked on and on and on and on to Scott about it. So it’s like he read it.