robthenorman

This week, Rob and Adam open up the Backline Mailbag and find, wouldn’t you know it, two questions about rehearsal. In this episode they discuss the strange shift that happens when rehearsal turns into performance — why things that feel easy in practice suddenly feel impossible on stage. They talk about whether it’s okay to revisit ideas that worked before, and why a team that looks great in rehearsal might struggle in front of an audience.

New PATREON EXCLUSIVE! In this episode, Monika Smith—actor, writer, and comedian—dives into the art of solo improv, sharing how she transforms a single suggestion into an entire world of characters, stories, and unexpected turns. Drawing from her years touring with The Second City and performing at UCB in iconic shows like ASSSSCAT and Harold Night, Monika unpacks what it takes to hold the stage alone with nothing but instinct, imagination, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.

Join us this Monday April 27th for an international PARTY HARD with guests from across over two countries (three countries). Featuring Cale Bain (Improv Theatre Sydney, AUS), Lloydie (Improv Chronicle, UK), Second City alumni, and Toronto’s favourite improvisers.

This week, Rob and Adam explore how to navigate scenes with a partner who brings a limited emotional range. Together they break down the difference between performing emotion and truly embodying it, and offer practical ways to create better scenes using radical acceptance.

In this episode of The Backline, Rob and Adam explore why performers lose their footing, from overthinking to disconnection, and share practical ways to stay present, reconnect, and move forward without spiraling into shame when you get lost in a scene.  Also, a question about basketball, bullying anyone about anything, and the special relationship between a man and his dragon.

This week Rob and Adam discuss how to create interiority in a character, how focussing too much on heightening can create undesired outcomes, and how intentionally burning your own Game of the Scene can make for a more interesting, and psychologically complex characters.

PATREON EXCLUSIVE: Mick Napier @mickjnapier is an acclaimed director, teacher, and author of Improvise: Scene from the Inside Out.  Mick founded Chicago’s Annoyance Theatre, served as the artistic consultant at The Second City, and worked with comedy icons like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Amy Sedaris. This week, Adam and Mick discuss directing in Toronto, what makes a strong scene, and why bold choices matter.

'I asked for a note. He gave me a confession. ' . In 2017, it the growth of my improv career, I had the opportunity to go to Canada for improv but my visa got rejected. I didn't even get a 'sowrie,' . But this time Canada came home to Goa. Not only an Improvisor but this bugger belongs to the big leagues. @thesecondcityto . Not just belong, he's the National Improv touring director and THIS guy, has connections in Goa. Like legit family ties to Goa. It's like improv 'laxmi' is knocking at my door and I had to be there and offer my salutations. Then the moment arrived. And ol and behold, HE'S AN ACTUALLY DECENT GUY who shares the same passion of improv that I do. We talked, spoke improv, shared lives, spoke more improv, did a scene together and said our goodbyes. Then USA hit Iran. Thank you @robthenorman for being a tall bunch of improv love. And thank you for this 1-of-1 version of your book. His book 'Improvising Now' is available on Amazon. Go get it.

LET'S TALK IMPROV | Special Edition featuring ROB NORMAN | 22nd Feb | Goa | Done When @clydetell said a Canadian Improvisor reached out to @improv.in and said they're coming to Goa, I first asked who and then why Goa. He said @robthenorman was coming to town. This was different. Now we heard someone mention Rob across the international improv forums as an effective teacher but after little googling, Rob was the alumni of the @thesecondcityto and National touring director of Canada. He specializes in long form improv and a published author of 'Improvising Now'. And now he was in our backyard. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of @improv.in , they set up a workshop for Rob and helped curate #LetsTalkImprov. Talking Points | LetsTalkImprov x RobNorman 22nd Feb 2026 - Improv: Spontaneous creation of scenes, stories, dialogue without a script—“Yes, And,” deep listening, collaboration, discovery. - Be in the moment: React to now—awareness, listening, honest reactions, not forcing jokes. - Safe stage: No ridicule, support risk-taking, failure is learning, mistakes are gifts. - Shame: Shame is adopting someone else’s judgment. Improv mindset—detach identity from mistakes. - Psychonaut: Inner explorer of consciousness—either through meditation, or self-inquiry—like astronauts for the mind. - Can improv be difficult? Yes—challenges include letting go, fear of failure, trust, overthinking—but it becomes easier with practice and presence. Thank you @sadhana_dell_arte and @unboxlabsgoa for hosting us at your beautiful location. Video courtesy - @Naomi_gajjar Lets TalkImprov is an Initiative designed and conducted by @aashurachana.school.of.improv . Lets TalkImprov currently conduct sessions in Mumbai, Pune, Goa & Dubai.

This week Rob and Adam discuss different methods of teaching improv, what’s the best way for a teacher to get their ideas across, and how context changes an improv teacher’s lesson plan.

This week, Rob and Adam unpack a major shake-up at The Second City. Starting January 22, 2026, the historic e.t.c. Stage shifts from scripted sketch to Improv Supernova, a fully improvised show—the first change in its 43-year history. They explore why the move makes sense now and what it means for the future of Second City, improv, and sketch comedy.

Hosted Let’s Talk Improv with @robthenorman and @aashurachana.school.of.improv and what a vibe it was ✨ No stage lights. No scenes. Just a bunch of improv nerds sitting around, swapping stories, laughing at failures, unpacking big scene moments, and geeking out over craft. It felt honest. It felt playful. It felt like community. Sometimes growth doesn’t come from performing — it comes from conversations that stretch your thinking and make you see improv (and yourself) differently. Huge shout out to our venue @sadhana_dell_arte @unboxlabsgoa for the beautiful space