I'm more of a writer than an actor, and I used to say that I'm mostly an improviser, though I haven't improvised in awhile.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Improv has been immensely beneficial to me as both an actor and a writer.
See, that's the thing: I'm not one of those actors who thinks, 'God, I've got to improvise and make it my own.' No, my first job as an actor is to take what's written and make it work. And then, if they want me to improvise, I'll do that.
There are very few actors who are truly good at improvising; that's a real skill.
I never did improv professionally, but that was certainly in my training as an actor. I like it.
My friends, we all improvise together usually. So we write what I think is a good script but always leave a lot of room to find stuff on the day; and we always do find something. That's the advantage to having actors who are, in their own right, writers.
I'm an improviser. I came up doing improv at the U.C.B. Theater in New York for seven years. That's where I started, so improv is what I love.
I know there are some actors who are just brilliant at improvising and brilliant at just being in the moment and doing it there and then. I'm not one of those actors.
I can't imagine doing anything without being an improviser. I can't imagine trying to write or act or direct without what improvising offers you.
I'm an actor first and foremost, who happens to do improv. I've also done sitcoms, I've done stage.
Improv is a very big thing for me. The thing with actors is I do not understand at all how they do what they do. I'm fascinated by it, and I have such a respect for it.