(Improv) PodCLASS with Billy Merritt
(Improv) PodCLASS with Billy Merritt
Podcast Description
Improv icon Billy Merritt shares real-life longform classes. There are 1000 forms, and if you are (or want to be) an improviser, you will commit to learning all 1000.
You hear the origin story of the form, its iterations, the key elements, and then...
CAN WE HAVE A DRUM ROLL, PLEASE?
You will listen to Billy walk actual students through relevant exercises and then guide them through the form itself.
Billy thanks his students in advance for allowing listeners to learn from their mistakes. They also do some great work.
Of course, because Billy is a master instructor. That was NOT sarcasm. He really is.
I'm going to stop now.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show primarily focuses on longform improvisation techniques, with specific episodes highlighting different forms such as the Monoscene with its Scenic Paint Opening and variations like Road Trip and Pretty Flower. Each episode involves discussions about the origin and key elements of the forms, along with practical exercises led by Billy.
Improv icon Billy Merritt shares real-life longform classes. There are 1000 forms, and if you are (or want to be) an improviser, you will commit to learning all 1000.
You hear the origin story of the form, its iterations, the key elements, and then…
CAN WE HAVE A DRUM ROLL, PLEASE?
You will listen to Billy walk actual students through relevant exercises and then guide them through the form itself.
Billy thanks his students in advance for allowing listeners to learn from their mistakes. They also do some great work.
Of course, because Billy is a master instructor. That was NOT sarcasm. He really is.
I’m going to stop now.
Join Billy Merritt and his international bench of students as he expertly (and hilariously) guides them through specific iterations of long form improv.
Today’s class is ROAD TRIP – a character-based monoscene.
Our players will be stuck inside a car* heading to a specific and important destination. Think “graduating members of the University of Fairfield, Connecticut’s a cappella choir heading to Regionals in New York City.” To make things fun, characters are developed over the set by being given GIFTS and answering QUESTIONS from their fellow travelers.
Billy leads the “amorphous blob” exercise. Just two blank slates giving each other interesting gifts within BIG INITIATIONS: Clean Parker, Strong Cologne Game, Smart Glasses, Fashionable Color Matches, First Alien Abduction, Captain’s Hat, and so many more!
The class then plays “classic pairs.”
We are_______________, going to ________________. YEAH!!!!!!!!
Then it’s right on to seven people in a car going somewhere. Ergo, a group of accountants is off to visit a pillow factory.
Finally, the class does a campfire monoscene in the road trip form. As a group, they “gift” their way to figuring out who they are to each other and why they are on this trip; and then do another round of “gifting” to go a little deeper into the wants and characteristics of the gang.
You can HEAR how much fun the students are having giving and receiving these over-the-top gifts!
I promise, Billy brings sense and purpose to all of this.
Today’s students (in order of “appearance”):
- Adam S. – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Tyler Drew – Seattle, Washington
- Hill Kane – San Antonio, Texas
- Jason Luna – Los Angeles, California
- Amber Bellsdale – Washington, D.C.
- Murphy McKew – Washington, D.C.
- Luke Bovard – Berlin, Germany
*car, mini-van, paddle boat, etc.
Next up: Monoscene: Pretty Flower (May 12)
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