Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Mike Birbiglia

Quote by Mike Birbiglia

“You've got to remember that improvisers are writers and actors and directors all simultaneously. That's what's happening in real time because you're writing on your feet, and you are acting out the words and you are directing what the staging is. You're deciding what staging is.”

Quote by Mike Birbiglia

Create image

Author

Mike Birbiglia
Mike Birbiglia

Mike Birbiglia, born on June 20, 1978, is an American comedian known for his self-deprecating and humorous style. He often finds humor in personal stories and everyday occurrences. Birbiglia gained prominence in the comedy world through his personal narratives and monologue comedy, winning the hearts of audiences with his unique approach. more

You May Also Like

“When I'm taking the subway to my improv shows I will be writing in my notebook different actions that I see people doing on the train whether it's eating yogurt or looking at where their stop is, or tripping or holding a baby. It's not preparing scenes and ideas as much as it is stoking your brain to think observantly. Just to place observations in your head, so that they are available somewhere.”

PeopleThinkingWritingIdeasDifferentShowsActionBrainBabySceneEatingTrainAvailableObservationPreparingNotebookSubwayYogurtTripping
Author:Mike Birbiglia
Create image

“I think in theater it demands that you say the same words every night and make it feel fresh and new. Improv demands that you be operating at the highest level of your creativity intelligence. So these two skills are both very important but I've seen people who are very skilled at one area struggle with the other. Either improvisers feel constrained by having to say the same thing over and over again or people who are really good at doing scripted work feel intimidated and exposed doing improvisation.”

PeopleThinkingFeelsTwoImportantNightLevelsCreativityStruggleSkillsDemandHighestAreasTheaterExposedEvery NightImprovisationIntimidated
Author:Gillian Jacobs
Create image

“It is important to stop being critical and judging ideas as good or bad because I think if somebody doesn't have a lot of experience you worry their idea is going to be bad, it's not going to be good enough, if not going to be active enough and so you can start to think critically about people's suggestions or what they bring to it but once you get out of that and think whatever they come up with is the right thing right now and so I'm just going to build on it just makes everything so much easier and better.”

PeopleIfsThinkingImportantIdeasEnoughWorryJudgingEasierRight NowCome UpCriticalActiveBe GoodRight ThingGood EnoughSuggestions
Author:Gillian Jacobs
Create image

“I also have learned as an actor, this ties in the principles of improv, sometimes someone gives a piece of instruction and my first reaction is "I don't want to do that." I've always learned that every time I just say yes and go for it something happens. Whether it's what the intent of the direction was or not or something new happens. It's just remaining open to other people's ideas.”

PeopleWantGivingFirstsIdeasSometimesHappensActorsPrinciplesPiecesThings HappenReactionsTiesSomething NewInstruction
Author:Gillian Jacobs
Create image