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"Improv rules, but then also there's improv rules." This week Rob and Adam, discuss the history of improv rules, what's necessary in an improv scene, and how to not get bogged by our artform's long history.

This week's episode delves into the world of three-person scenes, how they differ from duoprov, and the power of team dynamics.

This week Rob and Adam discuss what types of shows are marketable, how to sell them, and common pitfalls to avoid when advertising your production. Also, it's the debut of CREAM.

In this episode, Adam and Rob discuss the justification, why we need it, why explaining too much causes problems, and the need for mystery in scenes. Also: Flash baths, re-reading books, and updates on a very important URL.

This week, Adam and Rob discuss their criticism of "grounded scenes". In this episode: the reality of a scene, truth in improv, Norse creation myths, and how to make big, wild scenes work.

An updated 2022 our list of all the characters we are ready to retire. Also: the 5th Anniversary of the Assembly, UCB's new investors, the politics of accents, and why the mystery is a foundational cornerstone of science fiction universe.

This week Rob and Adam discuss cornerstones of what conditions are necessary for improv mastery. Also discussed: teaching Improv 2, Malcolm Gladwell, migraines, and how to confront your improv partner if they miss an appointment.

There's a whole bunch of reasons why someone might feel frustrated: bad day at work, fight with a friend, doing your taxes ... but what do you do if the source of your frustration is the person you're improvising with? This week Rob (but mostly Adam) talk about what to do when things don't go your way onstage.

This week Rob and Adam discuss the ever-elusive nature of comedic timing. As well as the show Last One Laughing, and what it means for fellow improvisers affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This week Rob and Adam open up The Backline mailbag to answer your questions about teaching, directing, coaching and the difference between all three.

This week Adam interviews Rob about the process of creating the CBC podcast Limited Capacity. They discuss directing, improv as a writing tool, and why Rob wrote 5 full episodes, only to improvise through these scary stories instead.

From the vault: Rob and Adam share a never-aired episode of the Backline where they share their thoughts on online improv, Irish paganism, and drinking orange cokes.

With the return of the iO (formerly improvOlympic), Adam wonders if the Harold will return with it, or if improv's most famous and psychedelic form should be retired from our classrooms and our stages. Kelly Clarkson - Since You've Been Gone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7UrF... Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIIxl...

In this episode, Rob and Adam answer a question from Estonian improv teacher Martin about chorus/verse, scenic structure, taking breaks, and how to build the skill in the classroom.

In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss foundational support, what support looks like onstage amongst professionals, and how to avoid the creeping threat of resentment.

It's a whole new season of The Backline. In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss their 1-year hiatus, the NFL, definitions of improv, and how art criticism shapes our artform.

In this episode Rob scours improv Facebook group for a series of conversation starting prompts and ambushes Adam with THE LIGHTNING ROUND!  Also discussed agendas vs deals, and savouring the small moments in a scene.

This week we bring you an audio version of The Assembly Toronto's online lecture series entitled "A Brief History of Improv".  Thanks to Martha Stortz, Spencer Thompson, and everyone who attended the live event in Spring 2020.

This week Rob and Adam discuss sustaining scenes. How to keep the spark alive while improvising, layered complexity, and the need to get onstage only so you get off stage.  It's all covered on this week's episode of "The Backline with Rob and Adam!" 

This week we discuss the art of the deal - initiating with a half-idea to inspire your scene.  Rob and Adam also tackle the difference between preconceived notions and deals, existential ennui onstage, and how this philosophy can help perform in Zoom shows better.