I started a sketch comedy and improv class this week at l’École nationale de l’humour. As though I needed another social activity — I already have CrossFit — or needed to join a cult — again, I have CrossFit. On the cult side of things, part of me is vaguely concerned that I’ll end up getting converted and then kidnapped like Todd on BoJack Horseman, yes-anding my way through increasingly ridiculous situations. Which let’s be honest, I already do.
What do I need an improv class for, anyway? And in French? My spoken French is already mostly improvised. And not in a good way. To be completely honest, I signed up for the class because of my continued interest in learning how to be funny in a structured way, which I know is very neurotypical of me.
Here’s what stuck with me from the first class: you have to discover everything on stage along with the audience. Whether you’re discovering an emotion, an action, an (imagined) item — you can’t plan it in advance; otherwise, you won’t be able to react authentically and the audience won’t be convinced.
Quite frankly, I appreciate the opportunity to show emotion, any emotion, particularly over-the-top emotion. But what I also like about this is the idea that I’m not controlling the narrative, not really — partly, it’s a less conscious part of my brain. It reminds me of my writing process, where I start with a vague idea and discover what I have to say about it as I write.
I realized it doesn’t work if I think too hard — I need to be in my body for this magic discovery improv stuff to happen. Which, in a way, is kind of like CrossFit — you can’t get through a workout like Fran if you give a second thought about what you’re doing. You just need to trust your body and do the movements.
Interestingly, it turns out I’m much better at improvising movements than words. Surprising, considering I’m a writer, but not surprising, considering how much physical humour I use in my day-to-day interactions and how often words fail me in those same interactions. Which makes me think, maybe I should lean into that more.
Charlie Morin-Fournier | Bio
I’m a writer and comedian based in Montreal/Tiohtià:ke. My sketch series, Ferda [Sesame] Boys, is debuting as a table reading on March 8 as part of the Winterlewd queer comedy festival.
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