Why Are Introverts Good at Improv?

I'm one of the most introverted people you will ever meet (side note: I'm not shy, so don't tell me to come out of my fucking shell). When I took the Meyers-Briggs personality test in college my scores were so introverted that I nearly broke the test. I don't like talking to people. I don't like sharing my feelings. If we ever share an elevator ride it will be quiet and slightly awkward. Yet I love improv. And I'm pretty good at it. And after stopping to think about it for a minute (because that's what introverts do) I noticed something: A lot of improvisers are introverts. 

How can that be? How can something as risky and vulnerable as improv be so attractive to introverts? Not only are introverts seemingly attracted to improv, but they also tend to be pretty darn good at it too. Why? You know, because getting on stage and making something up from scratch in front of a room full of people seems like such a natural introvert thing to do. But if you really think about it (because introverts like to think about things...especially things that they've already thought about), it sort of makes sense.

1. Improv is all about listening. The best improvisers in the world aren't the wackiest/loudest/most talkative people in the room, they are the best listeners in the room. You know who is really good at listening? Introverts. We spend most of the day listening. We are practiced listeners. We know how to pick out small details and read subtext. It is our second best skill next to not being able to make small talk. Introverts rarely miss an offer from a scene partner.
   
2. We pay attention. Introverts are seasoned observers. We know what is going on around us in painful detail. We also tend to remember a lot of what we hear and see, which is a pretty useful skill when you're doing something like a Harold. Introverts make great callbacks and connections - it's just a fact.
3. Not only do we not crave the spotlight, we are perfectly happy working outside of it. Improv is all about ensemble. An improv team doesn't need a leading lady or an alpha male. In fact, the best teams are harmoniously in synch. We can take the spotlight, but we don't need the spotlight. Introverts foster a team environment - I mean look at Lincoln - Team of Rivals anyone? (*Side note: I'm aware that picking someone whose election caused half of the country to secede could be considered contradictory to fostering harmony). 
4. We think a lot, so we tend to take new information in stride. We process it and react to it in our own sweet time. Things don't throw us because we are used to thinking about the nine million possibilities that come with someone saying, "Could you push floor 64 please?" It's hard to fluster us - on the outside anyway. And the next time you get on the elevator we'll remember that you're on floor 64.
5. We are okay with silence.
6. We don't mind quiet.
7. If someone isn't talking we don't panic.
8. Quiet doesn't equal problem. 
9. I'll assume you get the point that introverts are used to quiet so we don't panic in a scene if there isn't constant noise. We can play the moment. We can play the silence, which more often than not is where the heart of the scene can be found. Too often we rush through improv trying to invent new things at the speed of light, afraid that if we are ever quiet the audience will know that we are frauds. Usually the exact opposite is true - if we just slow down and take our time the scene unfolds for us. Everything you need is usually right there if you take the time to notice it. Going really fast actually makes the audience anxious. They see all the things you are rushing past. Taking your time and playing what's there makes the audience feel like you are taking care of them. Improv can be pretty simple - you know, shut up and pay attention. That's kind of what introverts do all the time.
10. Introverts are usually pretty fucking funny. I don't know why, but you know who the funniest kid in your improv class is right now? The kid who doesn't say much, that's who.

So, have I solved the mystery of the introverted improviser? Probably not. But the world makes a little more sense to me now. Okay, time to go sit alone for a bit.

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