some frustrations I've been having with improvised shows for the last few years. I was coaching a group this weekend and I challenged them with the question -- what's your vision for your group? One of them chimed up about taking big risks... doing an entire show with their eyes closed or something along those lines... and I agreed that I want to take greater risks, and I want them to take greater risks. But I was somewhat disappointed that the idea of a big risk was doing something gimmicky. To me, authentic heartfelt characters are much more risky. Sharing your own deep struggles honestly through a character is much more hugely risky. Authentic trust and intimacy between scene partners is also risky. But all of these things have the potential to pay HUGE dividends. I could list on one hand the improvised scenes I've witnessed where the characters expressed genuine love and affection. It seems like all improvised families are horribly dysfunctional, all relationships between men and women are one-sided (he likes her, she can't stand him or vice versa). And don't get me started on same-sex relationships. I've already forwarded this blog post to the group for reflection. I'm looking forward to challenging them to take the risk of intimacy in their scenes. Jak I think for me the connection between intimacy and impro is where permission to be real is important. Not to pounce on someone you find attractive and use the stage an an excuse, but