Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for The SoCap Improv Comedy Podcast
ComedyImprovEducationSelf-Improvement

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.

Play
Open in
  • 25 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 16 min
  • English

Episodes 25

NewestOldestLongest
All20Unplayed20In progress0Played0
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • S1 · E50
    Thursday · 20 min

    Look! Aliens!

    One of the pitfalls improvisers make repeatedly is trying to make the environment around them be interesting in some way. A doctor operating with a chainsaw, a cop who tastes crime scene blood, a fisherperson catching a magical amulet... These things can work but require more work than many of us are willing to put forth.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E49
    September 24 · 16 min

    Playing Villains and Creeps

    Final Takeaway To play villains or creeps: Play them as heroes of their own story. Justify everything. Find joy in the character. Ensure audience and partners feel safe.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E48
    September 10 · 21 min

    The Self Conscious Playfulness Spectrum

    Self consciousness means being in your head, ruled by fear. Playfulness means being in the moment and ruled by curiosity and fun.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E47
    August 27 · 16 min

    Parody and Satire

    What's the difference between the two and why does it matter?

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E46
    August 13 · 11 min

    Elephant in the Room

    We're told not to address the elephant in the room but I say 'nay'!

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E45
    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

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E44
    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

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E43
    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

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E42
    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.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E41
    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.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E40
    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.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E39
    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.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E38
    May 21 · 13 min

    Say Less, Seymour

    Listening as a gateway to presence and reduced self-consciousness.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E36
    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!

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E35
    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.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E34
    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.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E33
    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.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E32
    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.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E31
    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.

    • Transcript
Showing 1–20 of 25 episodes