Improv Basics: The Game

The "game" is the unspoken dynamic or emotional thread that brings a conversation to life. It’s not about a specific story or fact—it’s about finding a shared experience or emotion that resonates with everyone and creates a deeper connection.

In improv, this concept is central. For example, imagine two characters starting a scene as a teacher and a student. At first, their interaction might seem mundane. But then, one of them makes a bold choice, like the teacher revealing their feelings for the student. Suddenly, the interaction has depth, direction, and tension. This is the game. Both characters can now play off this shared reality based on their own understanding of this complex dynamic, transforming a basic scene into something memorable and relatable.

Conversations work in much the same way. A casual chat with friends might begin in a predictable back and forth until someone shares a unique detail or emotion that resonates with you, like an awkward date or a funny encounter on the subway, this is the game. By identifying and building on a shared experience, you add depth to the interaction and create a natural direction for the conversation to flow.These moments make conversations more exciting and meaningful. However, unlike in improv, where the game is a shared goal among performers, identifying these moments in real life can be more challenging.

Improv thrives on people recognizing and building on the game together. Performers are expected to be constantly making clear, collaborative choices about how their characters interact within their shared reality. This mutual understanding keeps the scene alive and evolving.

However in real-life conversations, there is no mutual agreement to create and nourish the game. This means you need to be very present in the subtle choices of details or changes in emotions expressed by the person you’re talking to. Are they trying to tell you something without explicitly saying it? Are they adding in context to a story that you wouldn't expect them to add in? While this sounds excessive to think about during a conversation with friends, the easy alternative is to just truly listen to what the other person is saying. This will help you uncover and build shared experiences that ultimately make the conversation and your relationship with the person richer.

While this isn’t a perfect formula for becoming a great conversationalist, it’s a powerful starting point. In improv, performers rely on clear signals to create meaning together. In real life, it’s about staying present, following the breadcrumbs of a conversation, and uncovering the shared experiences that bring deeper connection and joy to your interactions.