How to become an improviser in Amsterdam

An instruction manual with zero warranties

Caution: This procedure has been tested on a single subject; please follow at your own risk.

Side effects may include stepping out of your introverted shell, shining in the spotlight, and never having to prepare for anything ever again.

1.      Decide to move to Amsterdam. Hear an epiphany from the Universe about what you must do there. Research improv schools and courses even before your bags are packed or visa is ready. Write an email to easylaughs. Trust in the Universe’s grand plan.

2.      On arriving in the city, don’t unpack or look for an apartment. Those activities are for mundane muggles. Magical beings such as yourselves will first make their way to a workshop, or a jam. Then another one, then another one.

3.      Sing your first bunny bunny. Mirror the actions of an absolute stranger. Know that you are the ultimate survivor. Learn how to shift right and then, immediately, without thinking, left. You know you are going to be part of something special (not a cult).

4.      Join your first course. Make it a musical. Don’t worry about rhythm or rhyme, or knowing how to sing. Where is the spontaneity in that? Let life, and the cooing bird inside you take you by surprise. Find your voice, on the stage and beyond.

5.      Make your first improv friends. Get drinks with them after class. Make plans with them for Friday shows. Plan your next courses together. You are now bonded for life with the extra-sticky glue of having done the silliest things together.

6.      Say ‘yes and’ like you mean it. Witch in a fairy tale? Yes. Heartbroken in a soap opera? Why not. Show within a show within a show? Absolutely. Rap in a dark space odyssey? Maybe next year. Act on your craziest impulses, always.

7.      Make improv your whole life. This is your world now. Your ray of sunshine on dark wintery nights. Your home in a strange new city. Think of nothing else. Watch only improv. Play only improv. Eat, sleep and dream ONLY IMPROV (Still not a cult).

8.      Start to question things. Am I doing too much improv? Are improv friends real friends? Where did all my money go? Why am I always tired? Do I need to get a life? No, no! Such thoughts are blasphemy. Do not repeat them to another soul.

9.      Resolve to strike a balance. You need therapy and self-care, maybe some sun (or a job). Not more improv. Definitely not more improv. Mute the distracting WhatsApp chat. Ignore the tantalizing Instagram stories. Go out and read in the park.

10.  Feel a familiar stirring in the heart. Ooh, a new workshop. A FESTIVAL! Your (improv/real) friends coming together to create a murder mystery format!!? Forget all resolutions and jump in. Be carried forth by the never-ending waves of FOMO.

11.  Accept that this is who you are now. Forever changed. Officially a member. You belong, to something greater than yourself. Let’s just call it a community (who cares about labels?).

You have become.

To hear many such stories of life-changing initiation into improv and beyond, to meet old and new cast, crew, and alumni, join us for our Special Show celebrating 20 years of easylaughs. Happy becoming!