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PODCAST

The Backline - An Improv Podcast

The Sonar Network

Canadian Comedy Award winners Rob Norman and Adam Cawley discuss weekly improv-based topics based on a theme. New episodes every Wednesday.

arts performing arts

All Episodes

60:35

Do You Like Me?

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/08/12

There's nothing more unfair when an audience picks their collective favourite onstage. How important is it to be likable onstage? What can you do to stay on the good side of a discerning crowd? And most importantly, is there any path back towards the audience's good graces?

en

58:13

Classroom to the Stage

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/08/05

This week Rob and Adam discuss the careful art of taking lessons from the classroom and applying them to the stage.

en

57:17

How Do I Know If I'm Getting Better?

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/07/31

This week Rob and Adam discuss personal growth, improvement, and developing yourself throughout your improv career.

en

54:46

Active Choice VS. Action Choice

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/07/24

This week Rob and Adam discuss one of the foundational rules of improv, "Always make the active choice." In the age of modern improv, what does an active choice look like? How does an "active choice" interact wtih Game of the Scene? What's the difference between "action" and an "active choice?"

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61:27

PATREON EXCLUSIVE: Starting Scenes with Susan Messing

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/07/15

This week Rob is knocked unconscious, and replaced with Second City alumni, and Annoyance Theater mainstay, Susan Messing. In this episode, Adam and guest host, Susan Messing discuss starting scenes, making strong choices, and controlling your own spine.

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50:41

The Anaesthetic of Yes And

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/07/10

We're told that Yes And is the building block of every improv scene, but are there are drawbacks when using this tool? This week Rob and Adam discuss the origins of Yes And, how to agree effectively, and how to use emotion to hold the story in place.

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44:21

Find the End

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/07/08

This week Rob and Adam discuss how to find your ending onstage, what a resolution looks like onstage, and how your ending might differ based on what format you're playing. Thanks to ITS Company Director Kate Coates.

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62:45

Scene Paint Me (Like One of Your French Girls)

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/07/02

This week Rob and Adam discuss scene painting within scenes, openers, and transitions. As well as Mitch Marner, ceremonial swords, and the science of revenge.

en

11:40

Patreon Exclusive - Tips for a New Coach #1

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/07/01

The Backline launches a new series of mini-episodes called Come Render With Me - a Patreon Exclusive where host Rob Norman directly responds to Patreon questions and comments. In this episode, Rob offers some tips for new coaches and how to navigate tricky personalities on your team.

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48:57

Narrative Longfrom

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/06/24

This week Rob and Adam discuss story-structure, the limitations of modular improv, and how to create simple narratiaves for your improv show. Thanks to Garrett and his contribution to the Backline Mailbag.

en

46:57

Too Big

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/06/18

This week Rob and Adam discuss nuanced characters, creating active audience members, and avoiding going too big when onstage. Plus, the shame of not feeling enough onstage, some upcoming touring in the fall, and how every improviser is either Superman or Superboy onstage.

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45:30

Patreon Exclusive - Genuine Emotions

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/06/18

This week Rob and Adam discuss emotional gravitas, vulnerability, and channeling darker emotions onstage. How real can emotions get on an improv stage? Are there any emotions that just aren't funny? What if funny isn't the goal?

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55:10

Body Movin'

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/06/11

This week Rob and Adam discuss finding the fun in physicality, object work for your improv essay and the antidote for Talking Heads Syndrome. Also covered: playing negative, not judging yourself, and Adam admits he was wrong about stacks/sacks.

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64:10

Hot Pockets

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/06/03

Every improviser has experienced "being in your head" and every improv podcast has discussed what it feels like. In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss the opposite, being "in the pocket", as well as, the exciting improv scene of Buffalo New York, softball, and Adam's new Dune-insipired improv catchphrases.

en

58:13

Patreon Exclusive - Quality Notes

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/05/27

PATREON EXCLUSIVE: This week Rob and Adam discuss receiving quality notes, how to take a note, and ultimately what notes make you a better improviser.

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47:47

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/05/27

This week Rob and Adam discuss what to do when your improv team breaks up, and how to move forward with the artform you love. Also, a birthday week, reconnecting after a long break, and the Backline Stacks VS. Sacks 2025 debate.

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43:56

Barprov

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/05/20

While there are many different forms of improvisation, there are none more derided than Barprov. This week Rob and Adam discuss crowds, controlling the room, and why improv performed outside of a theatre is classified as it's own format.

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52:00

Questions Only - The Mystery of Season Nine

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/05/13

This week Rob and Adam pull a handful of questions from the Backline Mailbag to discuss casting an improv show, creating community, building energy throughout a show, teaching a new workshop, and support scenes. Also, the mysteries of Season Nine...

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51:54

Starting It Off Right

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/05/06

It's the launch of Season 9! Rob and Adam discuss how to start off a monoscene, things to avoid in your initiation, and finding a nonverbal, secret contract between you and your scene partner. Also, we now have a Patreon! Find us at patreon.com/TheBacklinePodcast.

en

33:57

Three Improv Ghosts

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/12/24

It's the season finale of The Backline. This episode Adam and Rob reflect, vivisect, and/or project the past, present, and future of improv. We'll be taking a short hiatus, in the meantime feel free to reaach out to @thebacklinepodcast on Instagram for improv questions, or queries.

en

244 results

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