184 episodes

Canadian Comedy Award winners Rob Norman and Adam Cawley discuss weekly improv-based topics based on a theme.

The Backline The Sonar Network

    • Education
    • 5.0 • 7 Ratings

Canadian Comedy Award winners Rob Norman and Adam Cawley discuss weekly improv-based topics based on a theme.

    Your Partner is Cooking

    Your Partner is Cooking

    What do you do when your parnter is COOKING, and you are clearly not?  In this episode, Adam and Rob discuss how deal with a partner who seems to be dominating a scene and you feel stuck.
    Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

    • 46 min
    Five Sweet Spots

    Five Sweet Spots

    In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss DEAFO - a new system for creating more dynamic, intersting stage pictures.  Also on this episode, heightening through proximity, and intentionally throwing your scene off-kilter, and five sweet spots.
    Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

    • 47 min
    Crazytown

    Crazytown

    Amongst the many terms improvisers have invented to describe a bad scene, "Crazytown" might be the most evocative.  This week Rob and Adam discuss scenes that try to do too much, too soon - and how to prevent your scenes from going off the rails.
    Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

    • 1 hr 8 min
    SOS (Save Our Scene)

    SOS (Save Our Scene)

    Rob and Adam discuss what to do when a scene fails, how to fail gracefully, and how to get a struggling scene back on track. Also on the episode: recent travels across the US, Rob's artistic residency in Sweden, the best pizza and an adult love of trains.
    Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

    • 1 hr
    Inventing the Who What Where

    Inventing the Who What Where

    In this epsiode, Rob and Adam discuss what to do if you are obligated to create the who, what, where in the first 30 seconds of your scene. How much information should you add? How much room should you leave for you partner to contribute?
    Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

    • 56 min
    improvfestivals

    improvfestivals

    This week Rob and Adam chat about improv festivals: how to run it, how to market it, and the small perks that make it all worthwhile.
    Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

    • 59 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
7 Ratings

7 Ratings

xScrublandx ,

Improviser with Only the Human (Perth, AUS)

Absolutely top quality podcast with two seriously funny dudes. 'The Backline' podcast is an essential resource of knowledge for all levels of improvisers. Rob and Adam discuss so many important philosophies, methods and techniques in such an easy and relaxed vibe. The fellas also do a great job of explaining the more complex ideas.

I have learnt a lot from listening in and would definitely recommend giving a listen!

Keep it going guys! Love it!

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