What is Improv?

by | Jan 12, 2025 | Articles

Improv is when a group of performers create a comedy show off the top of their head without any preparation or planning. Improv teams can be as small as 2 people but some shows require a cast of 10 or more. But most improv teams have between 6-8 people. Improv shows come in a couple of different flavors. In this video I am going to talk about three:

Short Form Improv
Long Form Improv
Narrative Improv

You are probably more familiar with Short Form improv – Short form improv shows feature performers playing improv games. “Whose Line is in Anyway?” was a popular television show featuring short form improv.  Usually there is a host that explains the games, asks the audience for a suggestion, and then various performers on the team play the different games. There are several types of improv games that use different skills, like guessing games, character games, even physical games. Some popular short form games you might have heard of are Scenes from a Hat, Party Quirks, or the Dating Game. Most short form shows are fast paced and feature a lot of audience interaction. Some short form shows are all ages so the entire family can attend. 

Long form improv shows feature a collection of improvised comedy scenes. It’s as if Key and Peele or Saturday Night Live were made up on the spot. Long form shows feature scenes with dynamic characters and comical situations. There is usually less audience participation in these types of shows- usually a host will ask for just one suggestion at the beginning that will inspire the entire show. And usually these shows are meant for adults. 

Narrative improv shows are a type of long form improv that features a complete story. The plot of these shows might resemble a television show episode, a movie, a play, or even a musical. Again, there is less audience participation in these types of shows and most of these shows are for adults. 

All three of these types of improv shows feature different improv skills, but one thing they all share is that there is no pre-planning, it is all made up on the spot. It’s like magic. 

We have a ton of different improv shows at the Comedy Spot you might like! Short Cuts and Girls, Gays, & Theys Improv Show are both short form shows. Lady Business and Anti-Cooperation League are long form improv shows. And Genre High, Murder, You Wrote, and YOU! The Musical are different types of Narrative Improv Shows.

If you are interested in learning how to improvise, you are in the right place, the Sacramento Comedy Spot is Northern California’s largest Comedy School. Drop into our weekly Taste Test for a sample and when you are ready,  join one of our Improv 101 class.

Hope to see you at an improv show or class soon!