The Power of Silence: 3 Exercises to Improve Your Acting

Get the PDF "Vocal Basics for Improv" with all the exercises and concepts from this episode at https://improvupdate.com/downloads. This episode is all about using your voice in improv. You do not need to do "funny voices" to be a good performer, you can work with the attributes of your own voice and make some subtle shifts.I explain how to use your own voice effectively. These subtle changes to your vocal dynamics can create clear, grounded characters that you can heighten in a variety of ways.You'll get an overview of the core components of vocal musicality, and how to practice them. These include speech rate, cadence, and prosody. Understanding these is the first step to vocal control. Then, I share five specific improv exercises to practice these skills.I really REALLY want to redo the singing parts, oh gawd :) Also feel free to take a drink or something each time I bump the mic arm. Mentioned in this episode: Previous Episodes on Vocal Musicality: Figuring out your vocal speed (words per minute): https://youtu.be/3HK40OxMGnoExercises for voice: https://youtu.be/Z6ekXuwbpxkNewsletter Sign-up (with reflection PDF): https://improvupdate.com/newsletterJill Bernard's "Small Cute Book of Improv": https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3231956-jill-bernard-s-small-cute-book-of-improvViola Spolin: https://www.violaspolin.org/publicationsExample of "Recitative": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDq4KqP7PxsDownloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" More resourcesGet articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!Get downloads about improv & comedy: Find them here.Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.SupportLike this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tipWe love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here:...

In this episode, I explain how to commit to your authentic self in your improv practice. You will learn to reframe perceived weaknesses into compelling strengths on stage. Your messy and imperfect parts are exactly what your scenes need.I discuss how neurodivergent performers can use their unique traits. The episode also covers how to collaborate effectively with scene partners who have different brain wiring. I share a personal story from my past as a dance fitness teacher. A very clumsy moment taught me how to connect with an audience through imperfection. We apply that lesson directly to your scene work.You will see how specific traits, like a literal take or a deadpan delivery, can be an asset in your performance. I also address traits that can be challenging in a scene, like monologuing. I provide practical methods to manage these traits, such as using a character to guide your choices.Ultimately, this episode helps you build self-awareness. This allows you to understand your own gifts and collaborate more effectively with your team.Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" More resourcesGet articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!Get downloads about improv & comedy: Find them here.Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.SupportLike this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tipWe love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytzAboutThis podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. You can find her bio here.This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. Contact StereoForest for information about producing YOUR podcast, website, and more at reasonable rates.Join the FREE StereoForest newsletter for all podcast and show updates at members.stereoforest.com.What does neuroinclusive mean? It means that you create a supportive environment inclusive and accommodating of all cognitive types and abilities to learn, write together, or perform. This, just

Note: This episode was recorded when this show was known as Human Internet Theory. The week I recorded this trailer and my first episodes - the second week of September 2025 - Sam Altman had just tweeted “I never took the dead internet theory that seriously but it seems like there are really a lot of LLM-run twitter accounts now.” And then a couple days later Inception Point AI announced they were going to generate 3000 new podcast episodes every week. With fake hosts. Calling anyone who doesn't like them "lazy luddites."It's time to take the dead internet theory seriously, especially if you make things for the internet. So welcome to The Human Internet Theory, a podcast that takes the dead internet seriously and helps you create real human things online to stand out amongst this sea of generated "stuff".Host Jen deHaan has a few decades background on the creative internet, and a decade of experience as a performer. She merges these two things and brings it to you with actionable steps to bring more humanity to what you create for your customers or students online.This lazy luddite hopes that you believe in the undead human internet, and will subscribe to this new show (made by a human) and follow along.Episodes 1-3 will drop next Wednesday, and then new eps drop every Wednesday after that.==========================About and Support==========================Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.Find this show on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@solopodcastinghandbookWebsite at https://stereoforest.com/solo-podcastingGet StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/subscribeProduced by Jen deHaan of StereoForest https://stereoforest.comContact Jen at https://jendehaan.com==========================SupportYour support will help this show continue. Funds will go towards hosting and music licensing for this show and others on StereoForest. This show is produced by an independent HUMAN artist directly affected by the state of the industry. StereoForest does not have any funding or additional support.If you find value in our shows, please consider supporting them with a one time donation at https://stereoforest.com/tipWe love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz==========================About JenJen's professional background is in web software technology (audio/video/web and graphics), working for many years in Silicon Valley. She has worked in instructional design, writing, marketing, and education in the creative space. She was also a quality engineer for awhile.Jen became involved in performing, acting, and improv in 2015. She taught dance fitness classes (despite beginning with two left feet), performed in community theatre, and taught and coached improv comedy and acting at several theatres. Jen was also the Online School Director and Director of Marketing at WGIS.Jen's website: <a href="https://jendehaan.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

In this episode, I'm really getting into what I believe is the most important element for creating a compelling character: their point of view. I’ve found that the most interesting thing about a character isn't what they do, but&nbsp;why&nbsp;they do it. A strong, consistent POV is the lens through which your character sees the world, and it’s what separates a memorable performance from a flat cliche.First, I'll give you a clear definition of what a point of view actually is (like, more than just an opinion). Then, I'll walk you through four distinct methods to help you build and establish strong POVs in your own scene work. We'll cover how to use emotion, observation, and justification to inform your characters.Last up... I'll share something that ties it all together, that'll help you build a rich inner life for your character without ever needing to do a boring monologue about their backstory. I'll provide practice exercises for each method that you can use with a group or even on your own. Because I'm a fan of the solo improvs!Mentioned in this episode:Solo Podcasting HandbookThis podcast is for business owners, professionals, educators, and producers who want to create high-impact solo podcasts (audio and video). I share my specific workflows that benefit solo podcasters that include scripting, on-camera performance, production, and strategy. https://stereoforest.com/solo-podcastingThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Alt title: Get to Skin Suit Town: 3 Exercises to Improve Your ActingIn this episode, I'm diving into one of the best acting exercises you can give yourself: practicing scene work with little dialogue, or even none at all. I’ve found that learning to use physicality, emotional reactions, and environment is what changes a performance from "just saying words real good" to truly embodying a believable character. Or like... as I like to say because it is now improv canon, "get to skin suit town".I’ll explain why taking dialogue away forces you to slow down, live in the scene, and build a story layer by layer. Part of that oh-so-classic "show, don't tell" advice. Then, the exercises. You can add three new exercises to your workout to build this skill. I'll also tell you how to adjust them to practice on your own.And if you do a lot of audio-only improv or have difficulty with nonverbal cues: I’ll specifically explain why this work is still useful, and how you can adapt it to your own unique brain and performance style.As an aside! If you have trim silence features on in your podcast app, I'm gonna guess it'll trim a few intentional pauses in this one ;)Resources Mentioned:Downloadable PDF Exercise Guides: improvupdate.com/downloadsThe Improv Update Discord Community: improvupdate.com/discordFree Improv Worksheet &amp; Newsletter: improvupdate.com/newsletterImprovised Comedy Podcast, Grack Public Access: stereoforest.com/grackDownloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" More resourcesGet articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!Get downloads about improv &amp; comedy: Find them here.Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.SupportLike this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tipWe love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytzAboutThis podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. You can <a...

Your inner critic might be a key reason you feel stuck, anxious, or in your head during an improv scene. But trying to fight it or ignore it doesn't work. This episode reveals a completely different approach: give that critical energy to your character.I break down the science of why your brain creates that critical voice and how it’s connected to a deep fear of social rejection. You will learn a practical three-step system for working with your inner critic instead of against it.The episode concludes with a practical exercise I'm calling "Accept This Story, You," designed to retrain your brain. This exercise teaches you how to turn that intense analytical energy outward into relentless curiosity and support for your scene partner, transforming what might be your biggest challenge into a pretty useful tool.RESOURCES MENTIONED:Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: https://improvupdate.com/newsletter - get Neurodivergent resources if you select "Performing and your brain" option.Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps with challenging scenes "Exercises to Ruin You": https://improvupdate.com/downloads and its YouTube companion https://youtu.be/h2_J4tLqCN0Episode with 7 hacks to help you get out of challenging spots in a scene: https://youtu.be/RTN5KfE7GZ4The science of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism (related to sport, but a good jumping off point): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11055971/CONNECT WITH ME:StereoForest Podcast Production: https://stereoforest.comSocial Media: https://tiktok.com/@yourimprovbrainhttps://instagram.com/yourimprovbrainhttps://jendehaan.bsky.socialDownloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" More resourcesGet articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!Get downloads about improv &amp; comedy: Find them here.Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.SupportLike this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tipWe love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytzAboutThis podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. You can <a href="https://jendehaan.com/about" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

We know that failure is the engine of learning, but how do you actually practice it in a safe and productive way? In this episode, I provide a full workout plan with SIX specific exercises designed to put you in challenging situations. Learn practical drills for your practice groups or classes that train you to handle wild scenes, distracting environments, and even challenging scene partners. This is your guide to getting your reps in, building a tolerance for chaos, and developing the confidence that you can handle anything on stage.And you can get these exercises as a handy written PDF. Link for that right below this sentence. Hi!References in this episode: Previous episode mentioned about failure: https://improvupdate.com/7-scene-hacks-to-help-when-you-make-a-mistake/ (video, podcast, etc links on this page)Download PDF mentioned available here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/h2_J4tLqCN0Improvising Solo with a Mannequin: https://jens-discount-improv-emporium.bizPeople mentioned: Berg, Jake Regal, Sebastian Conelli Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" More resourcesGet articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!Get downloads about improv &amp; comedy: Find them here.Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.SupportLike this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tipWe love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytzAboutThis podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. You can find her bio here.This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. <a...

We are often taught that forgetting is a weakness, especially in improv where details seem really important. It's what we practice all the time!However, forgetting can be a skill to practice. In this episode, I explore the science behind why our brains are designed to forget, and how we can use this adaptive process to our advantage in our scenes and shows. Learn how letting go of details can reduce cognitive load, improve listening, and help you get out of your head and out of your own way in a scene. I'll also cover how this also applies to some neurodivergent performers who process information in different ways. You will also discover a practical pre-show exercise to clear your mind so you can be more present and spontaneous in your scenes inspired by Mo Gawdat.Resources mentioned:Research on Forgetting: https://www.utoronto.ca/news/why-forgetting-really-important-memory-u-t-researchThe PDF resource mentioned in this episode will be available mid-August 2025 at: https://improvupdate.com/downloadsImprov Update Website &amp; Newsletter: ImprovUpdate.com/newslettersYour Improv Brain Discord Community: https://discord.gg/6fAfQ8fhCADownloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" More resourcesGet articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!Get downloads about improv &amp; comedy: Find them here.Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.SupportLike this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tipWe love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytzAboutThis podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. You can find her bio here.This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. <a href="https://StereoForest.com/contact" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

What if the key to becoming a great improviser is the number of failures you accumulate? That moment when you feel like you have failed in a scene, or a scene is falling flat, can feel awful. But it is also one of the most valuable data points for your growth.In this episode, I help you reframe failure as a solvable technical problem. You will learn a toolkit of seven specific, actionable techniques to use that moment you feel a scene is failing. These techniques also help turn these moments into opportunities to help you accelerate your learning. And it's all based on the science of deliberate practice and error correction.Mentioned in this episode: Episode about Mind Going Blank (episode #28): Video PodcastPeople mentioned in this episode: Naval Ravikant Malcolm GladwellAnders EricssonAnd hey, it's episode 30! Nice round number.Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" More resourcesGet articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!Get downloads about improv &amp; comedy: Find them here.Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.SupportLike this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tipWe love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytzAboutThis podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. You can find her bio here.This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. Contact StereoForest for information about producing YOUR podcast, website, and more at reasonable rates.Join the FREE StereoForest newsletter for all podcast and show updates at members.stereoforest.com.What does&nbsp;neuroinclusive&nbsp;mean? It means that you create a supportive environment inclusive and...

To be a successful improviser, you have to communicate effectively with everyone on your team. But what happens when people think, communicate, and experience the world differently? In this episode, I break down the common causes of communication breakdown between improvisers, and why assuming everyone is on the same page can lead to invisible struggles and burnout. Discover the single most important skill that allows great improvisers to perform with literally anyone, and learn a clear, four-step path to developing that skill yourself. This is about meeting in the middle, adapting your communication style, and building a stronger, more supportive improv community.I also have an exercise in this episode you might want to try with your classes or teams. There are more details about the specifics in the Improv Update discord general improv chat channel. Or ask! Read and share the web post or grab the YouTube video here: https://improvupdate.com/improving-communication-skills-improvise-with-anyone/Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" More resourcesGet articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!Get downloads about improv &amp; comedy: Find them here.Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.SupportLike this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tipWe love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytzAboutThis podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. You can find her bio here.This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. Contact StereoForest for information about producing YOUR podcast, website, and more at reasonable rates.Join the FREE StereoForest newsletter for all podcast and show updates at members.stereoforest.com.What...