Okay, with the Elvis reference aside, Steve Martin's words are very profound.  And anyone that has done comedy knows just how much serious work is really involved.  So, for all those budding comedians out there, it wold be a mistake to think that comedy is not serious work. 

Think of the great Richard Pryor and his return to the Sunset Strip.  He came out to a standing ovation.  He then proceeded to tell everyone to sit down because he knew what they had been saying.  He pulled out a lighter and waved it around and asked, "What's this?  It's Richard Pryor running down the street".  The audience howled!  But think about everything that was involved in that one great line.  It took a lot of courage for Pryor to face that moment.  And out of the chaos that was his life, he created great comedy.

And that, my friends, is how improv should be approached.  Why?  Because chaos and opportunity coexist... not only with improv, but in life.  When we are faced with the chaos of not having a script or direction, we are at the same time presented with a wonderful opportunity to create anything we want.  And that -- well, that's just really cool. 

And scary. 



Improvisational comedy is the second scariest form of comedy there is.  Stand up is the first.  In comparison, stand up is scripted, but you're by yourself - and it's a scary feeling when the audience doesn't laugh.  Improv, on the other hand, is unscripted, but you have the comfort of knowing you're part of a team and not alone on the stage. 

But in truth, we all practice improvisation everyday.  Why?  Because life itself is not scripted.  Whether we're at at work, on the phone, or on that date that seriously needs to end, we are all faced with moments of improvisation everyday.  And some of its actually pretty funny.  The only difference is that in life, we don't have a director on the side saying, "Cut!  And scene". 

I don't know about you, but I've been on a few dates where that would've been nice....


1.   You may not be able to control an event, but you can control your reaction to the event.

2.  You're not responsible for your first thought, but you are responsible for your second. 

The ultimate goal of Mental Flossing is to encourage creativity.  As such, we do not discriminate with regard to humor.  However, as a general rule, we do not use profanity or crude humor.  Though our performances are geared toward an adult audience, we are sensitive to any younger audience members. 

The flip side, of course, is that we are a live improv troupe that works from audience suggestions.  However, we always try to maintain our sense of balance between being funny and being respectful.

Mental Flossing strives to provide artistic opportunities for all levels of acting and comedy through sharing and growth.  As such, we seek quality participation from workshop and cast members with a strong emphasis on trust among its members that will allow each of us to break through personal barriers and grow as comedians and performers.

We do not attempt to know all the answers with regard to training or experience.  We welcome new ideas and techniques as long as they are presented in a respectful manner.  Our goal is to work together in order to sharpen our skills, practice the essentials of improv and to increase our knowledge.

There are no experts.  There are no perfect actors or improvisers.  And there is no single technique that is better than another.  There are only different levels of skill.

Okay, that last line was paraphrased from a Jet Li movie, but it sounded very profound, didn't it?  


Okay, so... with all that said, let's get serious about being funny...

There is no "right way" to perform Improv.  Why?  Well, because it's improvised... sorta.
However, there are lots of wrong ways and there are some basic rules that every performer should know and abide by. 

There are plenty of sites and books out there that provide much more in depth information, but here are some of the basic Rules of Improv, some of which is reprinted here by permission of the Pan Theater in San Francisco, CA and David Alger (www.pantheater.com).

As this web site is a work in progress, for more in-depth explanation and guidance, it would be in your best interest to spend some time surfing the internet or visiting your local book store or local library.  Or, feel free to attend a Mental Flossing workshop.  For more information, please call or e-mail us.


Improvisational Comedy is perceived to be about breaking the rules.  But even improvisers have rules.  And you have to know some of these rules of improv before you can break them.  All rules are meant to be broken.  However, the one rule that can never be broken is  what might be called the "Cardinal Rule of Improv".  In fact, this one rule is so sacred that it should not even be included in a list of rules.  Call it what you want, but traditionally, it is called "Accepting". 

All performers, simply by being on stage, enter into an unwritten agreement with one another to "accept" whatever the other player has initiated. There is no greater sin in improvisational comedy than breaking this agreement and it's importance cannot be emphasized enough.


The flip side to this rule is denial. You are agreeing to not deny the other player's initiation(s).  If you can not abide by this agreement, you will fail.  And worse, you will make the group fail.   People who can not abide by this one basic rule, are perhaps better suited to the fast food industry or divorce attorney.

Improv should be fun.

An audience loves to watch someone having fun. By letting go of our fear of failure, we commit more, we focus more and we become more.  Improv is about relationships and building relationships, not only with the other players, but with the audience.  An audience will laugh when they can make that connection to the scene and to the performer(s).  Practice exercises and developing your skills with the Rules of Improv will help you relax before the show and between sets.

However, as you learn to better understand the Rules of Improv, don't be surprised when you find that you can use these same rules in other avenues of your life.  Understanding these rules will not only make you a better performer, they will make you a better person.




Unless otherwise posted in News & Events, auditions are generated through our Monday workshop.  Workshops are open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend.

COST:  There is no charge for attending Monday workshops at this time -- the more the merrier!  Donations are always appreciated, but there is no required fee.

All members of the performance group are drawn from the workshop group. If you are invited, all active members make an annual donation of $20 to the group fund.

Individuals are allowed a ONE minute monologue of their choice, but should  expect to improvise thereafter.  The monologue is not required, but it does allow us to evaluate your ability to project to a live audience.

Please leave all egos at the door when arriving.

SPECIAL NOTE:  Improvisational comedy is audience driven so please plan on staying for the entire workshop.  This not only supports your fellow performers, but you may be asked to step in at any time as part of your own evaluation.  Consider yourself "ON" the moment you walk in the door (that's just good theater advice)

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:  People that are quick-witted, knowledgeable of current and historical events, and can be a TEAM PLAYER.

Those auditioning should review the Basics of Improv before attending a workshop.

WHAT WE WATCH FOR:  Avoiding questions, scene development, accepting the created reality and developing relationships withing the scene.  But most importantly, how you interact with the other members of the workshop.  Talent is important, but it is not the determining factor.  How you contribute to the group is very important.

Please remember, this is not about being a stand up comic.  It is an ensemble.  You look good by making the group look good.  If an individual fails, the group fails.

Please let us know your feelings on working with Hospice care or similar type patients.  There is no "right answer" in this respect.

This is not a traditional theater-type audition or experience so please feel free to invite friends and family to join you at the audition. 

Interruptions may/may not be planned in order to evaluate a performer's ability to interact and react with a live audience and sudden change.

Headshots are encouraged, but not required at the time of audition.  However, if selected for a performance, you will be asked to take part in a group photo.

There is a short "application form", but please bring a resume if you have one.

NO PREVIOUS IMPROV EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED.  If you have ever had a conversation with a stranger, then you have improv experience.  Now, we just want to build on that experience.

There are no age restrictions and everyone is encouraged to attend and/or audition.  However, though members are strongly encouraged to refrain from profanity and crude humor, please keep in mind that Mental Flossing is a live improv performance geared toward adult audiences.Mental Flossing also has plans for a children's theater group for those interested.

And finally,  MOST IMPORTANT:  Have fun !!  Geez!  It's comedy!