Talking Improv

Hosting: Take It Seriously

This is a responsibility that is often overlooked at clubs. From places I’ve been and shows I’ve seen, hosts can come off as aloof, unprepared or just lazy with the task at hand.

Other times, they’ve been too talkative or ramble nonsensically (to the point where I’m sitting there shouting in my head “Get on with it already!”). Keep in mind these aren’t always the case, and I’m sure most audiences aren’t too critical about these things. But, with how fickle people can be nowadays, it’s crucial to retain as many potential audience members as possible and not risk alienating them.

Sometimes the smallest thing can prevent a person from ever coming back to see a show. Everything from a bad show to a getting a sour attitude from someone.

So how do you host?

A person responsible for hosting has several jobs, whether they think they do or not. Their jobs include:

• Representing the theatre or club they’re at.
• Kicking off the night with authentic energy.
• Keeping a seamless transition between acts.
• Informing the audience of who’s performing and an explanation of what they’re about to see (if necessary).
• Advertise for the club or theatre, including the website, social media sites they’re on, refreshments being served and the show schedule.

Yes, it’s quite a lot to do but that’s why I feel it’s the most important job in the average improv theatre. The host is the representative of all things connected to that theatre.

Now, I said a bit about hosts coming out with authentic energy. That means that when they talk, that you can really believe that they’re excited to be there. Hosts need to show the audience that it’s okay to be excited; to relax and have some fun. No need to warm up the audience with jokes. That’s a perfect example of manufactured energy. Just do your duty and get off the stage. Leave the funny stuff to the performers.

I can’t stand to see a host fumble over team names, the website or sometimes even forgetting the basics of what’s on tap for the night. Anyone hosting should know inside and out about most of the things going on at the theatre. If you have classes you want to advertise, you should know the website to go to, the number to call and reasons why people should sign up. Nothing irritates me more than to see an unprepared host.

So if you’re hosting, remember to be energetic, be relaxed and for the love of all things holy…be yourself.

—Chuck