Episodes

  • Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

    Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
    Jun 1 2025
    This week Rob and Adam discuss what to do when your improv team breaks up, and how to move forward with the artform you love. Also, a birthday week, reconnecting after a long break, and the Backline Stacks VS. Sacks 2025 debate. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    48 mins
  • Barprov

    Barprov
    May 21 2025
    While there are many different forms of improvisation, there are none more derided than Barprov. This week Rob and Adam discuss crowds, controlling the room, and why improv performed outside of a theatre is classified as it's own format. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    44 mins
  • Questions Only & The Mysteries of Season Nine

    Questions Only & The Mysteries of Season Nine
    May 14 2025
    This week Rob and Adam pull a handful of questions from the Backline Mailbag to discuss casting an improv show, creating community, building energy throughout a show, teaching a new workshop, and support scenes. Also, a mystery. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    53 mins
  • Starting It Off Right

    Starting It Off Right
    May 7 2025
    It's the launch of Season 9! Rob and Adam discuss how to start off a monoscene, things to avoid in your initiation, and finding a nonverbal, secret contract between you and your scene partner. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    52 mins
  • Three Ghosts of Improv

    Three Ghosts of Improv
    Dec 24 2024
    It's the season finale of The Backline. This episode Adam and Rob reflect, vivisect, and/or project the past, present, and future of improv. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    34 mins
  • Too Many Teachers

    Too Many Teachers
    Dec 9 2024
    It seems like there's a billion improv teachers each with their own philosophy, terms and way of improvising. But what do you do when those ideas contradict each other? Who do you listen to? How do you choose what you to practice onstage? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    42 mins
  • Defensive

    Defensive
    Nov 29 2024
    To perform comedy, you have to be vulnerable - but its incredible difficult to do so when surrounded by people who make fun of things for a living. In this episode Rob and Adam discuss vulnerability, courage, likability, and uncynical play. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    53 mins
  • Playing the Verb

    Playing the Verb
    Nov 22 2024
    In this episode, Rob and Adam open up the Backline Mailbag to answer listener questions about Rob's book Improvising Now: A Practical Guide to Modern Improv and the new concept of "The Act of ..." Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/
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    38 mins
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