Bill Arnett is a mainstay of the Chicago improv scene who teaches and performs regularly at iO as well as many other various outfits around town. We sent him some questions over email and, by gum, he answered them for us. Enjoy some wisdom, now, won't you?

Out of Bounds: What is the most important thing you can do while improvising?
Bill Arnett: You mean while onstage in the act of improvising? Hmmm... I think the stock answer is listen but I think the phrase has been used so much that it's lost all meaning. I would say the best thing to do is to slow down and participate. You and your partner are building a world with each line you speak. Live in that world. Participate in it to the fullest. Figure out the simple truths.Out of Bounds: The art of improv has changed so much in the past 10 years. What will improv look like in 10 years?
Bill Arnett: Better, I hope. Some changes in the last 10 years are more stylistic changes and they will come and go. Like after Pulp Fiction came out every show tried to adopt it's non-linear plot structure. The more resilient change has been a general increase in the level of acting. Fewer flippant scenes, more textured scenes. In ten years I bet improv groups will become smaller (2-5 people) and rely more on the members personalities as opposed to gimmicks. Just a guess. Short from fever could sweep the nation again.
Bill Arnett: I loved it. Austin has a vibrant and with-it improv community. The festival was great, it had a good feel. I like being able to see what other groups and people are doing. Even a community as big as the one here in Chicago can get stale or stuck in ruts.

Mad ups to Bill for giving us a few seconds of his time and for teaching and performing in the 2008 festival. You can find him teaching regularly at iO in Chicago and posting videos online with his longtime group Maximum Party Zone. You can find his popular blog on improvisation here. And most importantly, you can talk to slash hire him at bill@billarnett.com.

Labels: improv, interviews, masters