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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

48:47

Is the Harold Dead?

The Backline ·

2022/02/18

With the return of the iO (formerly improvOlympic), Adam wonders if the Harold will return with it, or if improv's most famous and psychedelic form should be retired from our classrooms and our stages. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

58:36

Chorus/Verse (and How It Changes the Way We Play)

The Backline ·

2022/02/10

In this episode, Rob and Adam answer a question from Estonian improv teacher Martin about chorus/verse, scenic structure, taking breaks, and how to build the skill in the classroom. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

55:42

Is Support a Double-Edged Sword?

The Backline ·

2022/02/03

In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss foundational support, what support looks like onstage amongst professionals, and how to avoid the creeping threat of resentment. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

52:58

What is Improv?

The Backline ·

2022/01/27

It's a whole new season of The Backline. In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss their 1-year hiatus, the NFL, definitions of improv, and how art criticism shapes our artform. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

29:53

The Lightning Round

The Backline ·

2020/11/18

In this episode Rob scours improv Facebook group for a series of conversation starting prompts and ambushes Adam with THE LIGHTNING ROUND! Also discussed agendas vs deals, and savouring the small moments in a scene. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

45:42

A Brief History of Improv

The Backline ·

2020/10/07

This week we bring you an audio version of The Assembly Toronto's online lecture series entitled "A Brief History of Improv". Thanks to Martha Stortz, Spencer Thompson, and everyone who attended the live event in Spring 2020. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

57:33

Sustaining Scenes

The Backline ·

2020/09/23

This week Rob and Adam discuss sustaining scenes. How to keep the spark alive while improvising, layered complexity, and the need to get onstage only so you get off stage. It's all covered on this week's episode of "The Backline with Rob and Adam!" Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

47:04

Deals

The Backline ·

2020/09/10

This week we discuss the art of the deal. Initiating with a half-idea to inspire your scene. Rob and Adam tackle the difference between preconceived notions and deals, existential ennui onstage, and how philosophy can help perform in Zoom shows better. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

41:46

Ambition

The Backline ·

2020/08/27

One of the first things we lost in the quarantine was ambition. Performers quickly realized their careers (and lives) might never be the same. This week Adam schools Rob on how to stay ambitious, set long term goals, and be ready for when things open up. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

45:57

Making It Worth It

The Backline ·

2020/08/06

This week Rob and Adam debate over an improviser's responsibility to our audience and how we might renegotiate that relationship in the age of Zoom shows. Also discussed: risk, improv's meta-narrative, and pushing improv forward during the pandemic Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

43:44

What’s Next?

The Backline ·

2020/07/02

This week Rob and Adam take a break from their Sketchtown Series to address some of the massive changes happening at improv theatres across the world due to Covid-19 and the economy. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

36:20

From the Archives: Monologues

The Backline ·

2020/06/24

This week Rob and Adam crack open the Vault, for an episode about one-person sketch, how to write it, and what's the best way to set it up. Back next week with a new episode. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

39:41

Relationship

The Backline ·

2020/05/27

Sketchtown continues! This week, Rob and Adam discuss the make-up of relationship scenes, why they're funny, and why although they might underrated, continue to serve an important role in a sketch revue. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

39:41

Genre

The Backline ·

2020/05/20

This week, Rob and Adam discuss styles, frame of reference, parody and finding the perfect vehicle for your premise. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

40:17

Satire

The Backline ·

2020/05/13

Satire is a comedy tradition that is thousands of years old. This episode Adam and Rob discuss satire, authority, and saying what you mean without saying it. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

42:12

Stakes

The Backline ·

2020/05/06

In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss comedy's relationship with tension, why stakes are important, and when you don't need to focus on stakes in a show. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

41:07

Structure

The Backline ·

2020/04/29

Part Three of Sketchtown. This week, Adam and Rob discuss how to structure a scene, how tension is useful, and why knowing structure is necessary to build out a comedic premise. Also, Adam talks about his favourite Greek myth. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

56:56

Premise

The Backline ·

2020/04/22

Sketchtown - Episode 2. In this instalment, Rob and Adam discuss premises: how to find them, how to write them, and ultimately where does comedy comes from. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

50:40

Welcome to Sketchtown

The Backline ·

2020/04/15

With the pandemic upon us, Rob and Adam launch a new mini-series on The Backline all about sketch comedy, finding premises, and trying to write them down for the first time. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

45:13

Back in Action

The Backline ·

2020/04/08

It's Season 6 of the Backline with Rob and Adam. This week, they discuss their thoughts, hopes, and anxieties about improvising in a post-pandemic world! Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

221 results

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