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PODCAST

The Backline

The Sonar Network

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

education

All Episodes

48:56

Narrative Longfrom

The Backline ·

2025/06/27

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 for his contribution to the Backline Mailbag.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

46:56

Too Big

The Backline ·

2025/06/18

This week Rob and Adam discuss nuanced characters, creating active audience members, and avoiding going "too big" in a scene.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

55:09

Body Movin’

The Backline ·

2025/06/16

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. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

64:09

Hot Pockets

The Backline ·

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". Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

47:46

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

The Backline ·

2025/06/01

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.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

43:56

Barprov

The Backline ·

2025/05/21

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.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

52:30

Questions Only & The Mysteries of Season Nine

The Backline ·

2025/05/14

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, a mystery.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

51:54

Starting It Off Right

The Backline ·

2025/05/07

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. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

33:57

Three Ghosts of Improv

The Backline ·

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. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

41:46

Too Many Teachers

The Backline ·

2024/12/09

It seems like there's a billion improv teachers each with their own philosophy, terms and way of improvising. But what do you do when those ideas contradict each other? Who do you listen to? How do you choose what you to practice onstage? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

53:24

Defensive

The Backline ·

2024/11/29

To perform comedy, you have to be vulnerable - but its incredible difficult to do so when surrounded by people who make fun of things for a living. In this episode Rob and Adam discuss vulnerability, courage, likability, and uncynical play.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

37:52

Playing the Verb

The Backline ·

2024/11/22

In this episode, Rob and Adam open up the Backline Mailbag to answer listener questions about Rob's book Improvising Now: A Practical Guide to Modern Improv and the new concept of "The Act of ..." Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

70:55

A Comprehensive Guide to All Shortform Games – Part Two

The Backline ·

2024/11/11

This week Adam and Rob, use extensive metrics and data (definitely not just their opinion) to determine an ongoing ranking system for all shortform games. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

52:22

Auditions and Disappointment

The Backline ·

2024/11/04

After a big audition, it's not uncommon to be disappointed with the results. This week Adam and Rob discuss their own feelings about rejection, disappointment, and feeling lost. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

52:33

Control

The Backline ·

2024/10/09

Built into the fabric of improv is going with the flow, not thinking ahead, and letting go of control. But being completely "out of control" isn't a good thing either? This week, Rob and Adam discuss the need to control what happens next.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

47:59

Teaching Your First Workshop

The Backline ·

2024/10/01

Eventually, every improv professional needs to teach their first class. But what about? How do you pick a topic? How do you make that workshop successful? Is there any pitfalss to avoid? In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss teaching your first workshop.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

57:03

The Problem with Strong Characters

The Backline ·

2024/09/23

Strong characters! It's whatever everyone wants to do onstage. In this episode, Rob and Adam go over techniques, tricks and tips for better characters. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

55:55

The Unteachables

The Backline ·

2024/08/21

Can improv be taught? What about funny? What about stage presence? What about "star power"? This episode Rob and Adam discuss what can and cannot be taught in the classroom and the mysterious, and amorphous qualities make for a great improviser.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

54:08

Sex, Lies, and Improv Videotape

The Backline ·

2024/08/15

This episode Rob and Adam discuss the powers of game tape, the shame of watching yourself, and how to challenge yourself to be a better player.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

45:24

Learn to Forget

The Backline ·

2024/08/09

At a certain point, you have to let go of The Rules. This week, Rob and Adam discuss forgetting what you're learned and why it's so important for your play.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

221 results

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