One of the basic tenets of improvisational comedy is that whether said out loud or simply thought, the proper response to any suggestion from another performer is “Yes, and …”
In simple terms, it means you’ve heard what the other person said, accept it and will build on it, rather than grinding things to a halt with a contrary comment.
“It moves things forward,” said Michael Shield, a Virginia native now living in Chattanooga who will be teaching improv to adults and teens during separate classes at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre over the next six weeks beginning Tuesday. Some spots are still available.
“Yes, and” is a premise that Shield, who spoke by telephone, learned during his times studying with legendary improv programs at Second City in Chicago and The Groundlings in Los Angeles. Shield is also a founding member of the award-winning musical improv group “Rogers and Hammertime.” His credits also include performing on stage in the national tour of “The Music Man,” the television show “The Price Is Right” and performing at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
He recently relocated to Chattanooga with his wife, Mollie, and is excited to share his passion for improv. She is from Nashville but attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga before moving to Los Angeles, where the two met six years ago. When the pandemic hit, the two returned to his hometown, Williamsburg, Virginia, where he gave ghost tours and worked at Busch Gardens playing music.