I love improvisation. I have always loved improvisation. I am good at improvisation. I think that I am much better at improv then I ever was as an actor. My brain worked quick. I could always think of a thousand circumstances and a thousand characters to inhabit those circumstances. I also loved to teach improv. The classroom was always engaged and entertained and a there was a sweet air of fear as all worried about their time up in the spotlight – but a good fear – a fear that was natural and desirable when it came to performance.
BUT it was after all of my hard lessons getting certified as a Meisner teacher that I recognized improv is rather the OPPOSITE of all that Meisner sets out to do. Meisner is all about foregoing the thinking and planning and truly being in each and every moment that is there with your partner in front of you. Planning was the ultimate transgression in this technique. With improvisation it may all look impulsive, but the brain is constantly being called to task to come up with something – come up with something clever – always be just a few moments in the future. I have seen in class after class how difficult Meisner work is for the gifted improver. To brain or not to brain? – that is the question.