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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

50:52

Spark-less

The Backline ·

2025/11/21

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

en-CA

45:31

Intelligence VS. Integrity

The Backline ·

2025/11/14

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 what amount of "smart" are you required to bring with you onstage.Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

58:13

Offensive

The Backline ·

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

en-CA

54:11

Who, What, Where – but When?

The Backline ·

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

en-CA

63:26

Platforms, Tilts, and Improvising Action

The Backline ·

2025/10/21

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

en-CA

5:25

Technique

The Backline ·

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

en-CA

53:26

Tethering

The Backline ·

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

en-CA

47:10

Questions Only – September 2025

The Backline ·

2025/09/24

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

en-CA

40:39

Competition is the Thief of Joy

The Backline ·

2025/09/19

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

en-CA

60:34

Game Revisited

The Backline ·

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

en-CA

47:44

Get Connected

The Backline ·

2025/09/03

This week Rob and Adam discuss connection, rapport, relationships onstage and offstage. Also, is it possible to have a meaningful connection with a stranger onstage? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

54:16

Form Follows Function

The Backline ·

2025/08/27

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

en-CA

56:32

There’s Nothing More Boring Than Creativity

The Backline ·

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

en-CA

62:19

Do You Like Me?

The Backline ·

2025/08/18

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

en-CA

59:57

Classroom the to the Stage

The Backline ·

2025/08/07

This week Rob and Adam discuss the careful art of taking lessons from the classroom and applying them to the stage. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

59:02

How Do I Know If I’m Getting Better?

The Backline ·

2025/07/31

This week Rob and Adam discuss personal growth, improvement, and developing yourself throughout your improv career. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

56:31

Active Choice VS. Action Choice

The Backline ·

2025/07/24

This week Rob and Adam discuss one of the foundational rules of improv, "Always make the active choice." Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

en-CA

52:26

The Anaesthetic of Yes And

The Backline ·

2025/07/15

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

en-CA

46:06

Find the End

The Backline ·

2025/07/10

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

en-CA

62:45

Scene Paint Me (Like One of Your French Girls)

The Backline ·

2025/07/03

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

en-CA

221 results

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