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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

62:35

Touch the Lamassu!

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/12/04

This week, Rob and Adam tackle a tricky question: does your improv teacher have secrets to share, or are they full of it? With countless improv styles—many of them contradicting each other—it can be tough to know what to believe. Rob and Adam explore how improv ideas get passed down, why some “rules” stick, and how performers can figure out what’s actually useful.

en

74:15

PATREON EXCLUSIVE: The Origins of Impro with Patti...

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/12/02

This week, Adam Cawley talks with renowned improviser, director, and author Patti Stiles, a longtime Keith Johnstone student and key figure at the Loose Moose Theatre. Patti shares insights from her decades of international teaching and performing, exploring how whimsy, curiosity, and emotional honesty shape great impro. She also reflects on the early origins of the art form and what makes Loose Moose such a vital, innovative home for improvisers around the world.

en

57:15

From Classroom to the Stage

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/12/01

This week Rob and Adam discuss the transitioning your skills from the classroom to the stage. Why is it so hard to do what works in an exercise, onstage in front of an audience?

en

50:23

Spark-less

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/11/17

Rob and Adam talk about navigating your improv career, dealing with self-doubt, and having honest conversations with yourself about what's possible and what is probable.

en

45:02

Intelligence VS. Integrity

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/11/12

This week, Rob and Adam dsicuss the time-honoured tradition of playing to the "Top of their Intelligence" by having a very dumb discussion about characters, point of view, and how much smart should you perform while improvising onstage.

en

57:58

Offensive

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2025/11/04

Improv is not historically known for being offensive, but sometimes improvisers cross the line. Why is comedy so frequently associated with offense? Does comedy need to be provocative to be funny? What do you do if you offend your audience? All this and more.

en

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

244 results

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