The SoCap Improv Comedy Podcast

Ralph MacLeod

Hosted by Ralph MacLeod. Owner and Artistic Director of SoCap Comedy Theatre in Toronto. A bite-sized, 5-20 minute show on improv. This show is less about improv as performance (though that will be in here) but more about how improv can improve every aspect of your life.

Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

20 episodes
Updated July 23

Episodes20

Newest first

July 23 · 13 min
Vulnerability
Why Vulnerability Works Saying “yes” to uncomfortable or self‑deprecating offers is playful. It shows others that they can let their guard down Audiences love vulnerability — low status is non‑threatening and endearing It opens the door to bigger comedic payoffs. If that’s true, what else is true Not everyone is comfortable with this level of exposure, and that’s okay
July 16 · 12 min
Be Specific
Being Specific in your offers, leads to three main benefits... 1 - audiences find it relatable 2 - roots you in the present moment and 3 - suggests character
July 9 · 14 min
Smile When You Say It
The Power of the Smile A smile transforms villainy into comedy “I cheated, and I can’t wait to do it again.” “I stole your car and wrecked it — wow, that was a nice ride.” Smiling signals: we’re playing, not hurting Audiences love watching someone enjoy being bad
June 18 · 14 min
Reframing
Flexibility, the ability to pivot, is a terrific skill to have on stage and off. Today, we look at reframing as a way to that.
June 11 · 14 min
Doubt
If your audience - be that your scene partner(s), the people watching, or the chap at the dinner partner - is in doubt as to your intentions, the way forward will often be more difficult for you.
June 4 · 16 min
Why You Need Status
Status is great in comedy and in real life. You likely use it all the time and don't even know it. It's one of those things that once you see, you see everywhere. Once you understand it, it'll make your life much better.
May 28 · 14 min
My Character Wouldn't Do That
Remaining open to 'who' your character is, what they stand for, what they love, what they hate, and more, keeps you open and alive to your audience (on stage and in the real world). You can be flexible, surprise yourself, and learn about points of view different from your own.
May 21 · 13 min
Say Less, Seymour
Listening as a gateway to presence and reduced self-consciousness.
May 14 · 13 min
Mistakes? We Don't Need No Stupid Mistakes
Mistakes scare the crap out of us, but they're usually only as bad as you think they are! They have wonderful upsides.
May 7 · 15 min
In The Beginning
Starting a scene is one of, if not the most, difficult and critical things in improv. I discuss two of the ways to begin scenes and reveal my favourite!
Oct 9, 2023 · 15 min
Letting Go of Self-Consciousness
Falling in love. Hanging with good friends. Being in a moment. These are all times when we tend to lose ourselves, get over our self-consciousness, and forget about our selfish needs and serve an experience.
Oct 2, 2023 · 20 min
Avoid Gaslighting Others
Whether on stage or in life real, try not to gaslights others. In improv, it often leads into the argument trap. In life, it escalates tension, shows others you're not listening, and more. Instead, treat the opinions of others as legitimately theirs and deal with it except in one situation.
Sep 25, 2023 · 18 min
Playing Strangers
Scenes in which the characters are strangers to each other come with an extra added level of difficulty. For that reason, I encourage improvisers to stay away from them. But, when they do happen to try and figure out what's at stake.
Sep 18, 2023 · 24 min
The Process Scene
Having a process in a scene will help in a multitude of ways, however, there are also a couple major pitfalls with which to be aware.
Sep 11, 2023 · 19 min
I Am A....
A discussion of the third exercise I use when starting almost every class I teach. I Am A... is a game of patterns in which three people are elements within a certain pattern, category, etc. The more recognizable the pattern and elements, the better it is received.
Sep 4, 2023 · 20 min
Improv Rule For Life #4 - Be Process Oriented
Being process oriented, or systems based, allows one to make modifications if their goals aren't being realized. Conversely, relying on magical thinking to achieve a desired outcome can leave one at the mercy of a stochastic, unfeeling universe.
Aug 28, 2023 · 11 min
Is Mocking Some People Okay or Not Okay - REPEAT Episode 8
Improv has changed a lot in the 35 years since I started. One thing is that we are much more sensitive to people different than us and no longer mock people based on generalities about them. However, two areas have escaped that scrutiny and I have no idea why.
Aug 21, 2023 · 20 min
Dissonance in Comedy
Dissonance is a powerful tool that can grab your audiences attention and make them laugh whether that's on stage or at a dinner party.
Aug 14, 2023 · 18 min
The Actor/Character Duality
When in scenes, there is the actor and the character the actor/improviser is portraying. Sometimes, their goals are aligned but often they are not.
Aug 7, 2023 · 21 min
Why Is This So Boring?
There are many reasons a scene, or interaction, may be boring. Here are the top two reasons why scenes can be boring and make you want to gouge out your eyes.

The SoCap Improv Comedy Podcast

Vulnerability

Be Specific

Smile When You Say It

Reframing

Doubt

Why You Need Status

My Character Wouldn't Do That

Say Less, Seymour

Mistakes? We Don't Need No Stupid Mistakes

In The Beginning

Letting Go of Self-Consciousness

Avoid Gaslighting Others

Playing Strangers

The Process Scene

I Am A....

Improv Rule For Life #4 - Be Process Oriented

Is Mocking Some People Okay or Not Okay - REPEAT Episode 8

Dissonance in Comedy

The Actor/Character Duality

Why Is This So Boring?