A new year begins and it's time to refocus and remember useful ideas that will make you the improviser that everyone wants to play with this year. 

Fear filled improvisers pass the responsibility of definition onto their partners. This year, practice being the expert in your imaginary world. Know the names of other characters, be able to read the ancient manuscripts on your adventures, define the gift that's in the box.

Your scenes will move forward, your partner will be inspired and the audience will be amazed that you KNOW what you are doing.

Keith Johnstone suggested that If you have a choice to go negative or positive, make the positive choice.

Stress makes us negative and bend towards conflict. Foster a positive attitude and your scene will have a grounded base with more possibilities and your characters will generally be more connected to the audience. Go negative too early and you limit your possibilities prematurely.

Create an honest judgement of your own work. Too critical and you won't grow. Too accepting of the self indulgence, limitations and habitually poor choices and you risk blinding yourself to what matters: Inspiration, Authenticity, Truth and connection to your work, your partners and to the audience who has paid to see a performance that they can connect with.

If it's shit, Call shit, "shit". Don't be drawn into the cult of YES if that means seeing your own work without clarity.

Beating yourself up about every "mistake" does nothing to make you a better improviser. In fact it does the opposite in the long run.

Imagine yourself 20 years in the future in the middle of your great career. Look back at that one scene or that difficult phase in your development as just a part of your process to become a better improviser.

Making mistakes is normal.  It's ok. It will be ok. The failures are great teachers. Creating a healthy relationship with that normal reality goes a long way to making you great.

CARE of your partner doesn't always mean making life EASY for them. Knowing when to challenge your partner and knowing when to protect them is a flexible skill that everyone should have.

It creates safety in the chaos and inspiration in the moments when safety is just a trap for lazy improvisers.

Throwing them a lifeline or throwing them under the bus is a choice of what they need in the moment.

You are filled with answers, wisdom and information. Bring your life experience into the imaginary worlds you create on stage. This makes improvisation easier and the choices more grounded. The details you bring from your truth might bore you but they inspire those you play with and the audience who watches.

David Mamet said, "CREATE NOTHING, DENY NOTHING". THis is so true for improvisers. There's no need to work so hard to create irrelevant fluff. Not denying the tools you have earned in your life up to now should be one skill you don't ignore.

Forget everything you know.

There comes a time when you must play. What's important will find its way to the surface. Play fully and commit to your partner and the ideas that spring forth. 

The spirit of an improviser is a reflection of their ability to play with all that is in the moment.

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