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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

59:49

PATREON EXCLUSIVE: Under Pressure with Colin Mochrie

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/10/28

Rob is no more. This week Adam welcomes Second City alumni, and star of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Colin Mochrie to the podcast. Adam and Colin chat about pressure both onstage and offstage, and what it takes to find success in improv.

en

54:11

Who, What, Where - but When?

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/10/21

This week Rob and Adam chat about framing scenes prior, during, or after the action. Do scenes always need to start in the middle? What's the best way to execute a tag-in? If you mention an event, does it always have to happen onstage?

en

63:26

Platforms, Tilts, and Improvising Action

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/10/14

This week Rob and Adam, discuss platforms and tilts for improv scenes, how sketch influences scenes, and how to create action without blindsiding their scene partner.

en

54:39

PATREON EXCLUSIVE: Making Your Own Work with Shreya...

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/10/11

Rob is no more. In his stead, far superior host Shreya Parashar takes over. Adam and Shrea discuss making your own work, finding your voice, and figuring out what comes next.

en

64:46

Technique

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/10/07

The improv world is full of technique. What techniques help individual improvisers? What techniques benefit the theatre you play at? Are there techniques you should embrace? Or some that you should avoid?

en

53:27

Tethering

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/09/30

This week Rob and Adam discuss tethering: the act of linking your emotional state to what your partner is doing. Also, some great questions about tethering from our friend Martin in Estonia.

en

47:10

Questions Only - September 2025

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/09/23

The truth is out! After a tumultuous three weeks apart, Rob and Adam return to the podcast to air thier grievances, resolve differences, and answer your questions about improv.

en

51:58

PATREON EXCLUSIVE: Completely Justified with Will Hines

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/09/23

In this Patreon exclusive, Will Hines, author of "How to be the Greatest Improviser on Earth" joins co-host Adam Cawley to discuss the subtle art of justification.

en

40:40

Competition is the Thief of Joy

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/09/15

This week Rob sits down with one of the organizers of the Robin Hood Improv Festival in Nottingham, Lloydie, to discuss competition, inclusion, and finding community in the face of rejection.

en

60:34

Game Revisited

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/09/10

This week Rob and Adam debate the merits of Game of the Scene, pulling premise, and how to create meaningful patterns that bolster your longform show.

en

47:44

Get Connected

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/09/03

This week Rob and Adam discuss connection, rapport, relationships onstage and offstage. Also, is it possible to have a meaningful conneciton with a stranger onstage?

en

52:32

Form Follows Function

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/08/26

This week Rob and Adam discuss improv forms! What makes a good improv form? When does your improv format get in the way of your scenes? Also, the beloved format "Darwin's Christmas Tree" returns to the podcast!

en

54:48

There's Nothing More Boring Than Creativity

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/08/19

This week, Rob and Adam dive into where improv ideas come from, how to wrestle with creative blocks, and why the supposedly “whimsical” act of creating can be surprisingly… boring.

en

71:55

PATREON EXCLUSIVE: Characters Everywhere with Inessa...

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/08/12

Inessa Frantowski may literally be the only human on earth who has performed on The Second City Mainstage, The Upright Citizens Brigade's Maude Team, The Groundlings Sunday Company, as well as solo character work at The Just for Laughs Festival and America's Got Talent. This week she co-hosts the episode with Adam. Tips, Tools and insights into the different ways each theatre approaches the creation and building of comedic characters.

en

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?"

en

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.

en

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.

en

238 results

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