Interview (Written): Mike Birbiglia (“Don’t Think Twice”)
A Script magazine interview with Mike Birbiglia, writer-director and actor in the movie Don’t Think Twice:
Script: In the film’s improv scenes, the performers ritually ask the audience, “Has anyone had a particularly hard day?” Is this an actual prompt for audience suggestions used in improv circles?
Birbiglia: No. I came up with that one night on the subway ride to one of the improv shows I do called Mike Birbiglia’s Dream at the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York, with [Don’t Think Twice co-stars] Chris Gethard and Tami Sagher. On any given night, Aidy Bryant might pop in, or Connor Ratliff, or Gary Richardson or Ellie Kemper. And for a while, we’d ask the audience, “Can we have a word of suggestion?” Then at one point, I thought, “What if we dug deeper and asked someone to describe the pain they’re experiencing in order to prove the theory that comedy is tragedy plus time? What if we transform their pain into comedy in real time?” We did a show a few weeks ago at the Del Close Marathon in New York City, and we asked the audience, “Has anyone had a hard day?” And a woman said, “I share an iCloud with my dad, and I just found out that he’s seeing prostitutes.” That was a hard one. For the first 15 minutes, our improv wasn’t very funny, but at a certain point, it started to turn, and the audience started to experience a catharsis — with us and with this woman, and to me, that’s why we do comedy — to help people experience catharsis. That’s why live theatre is so powerful. That’s why I want people to see this movie in a theatre, because laughing and crying with strangers is a really special experience. I can barely watch it in a theatre anymore, because it’s so emotional, and I cry too hard.
A scene from Don’t Think Twice
Script: And in one Orange episode, the prison counselor establishes an improv class for the inmates. Did you have a hand in influencing this plot point?
Birbiglia: No. I never told anyone on that set about my movie, but it’s a funny synchronicity, because I think improv is in the zeitgeist of America right now. When I got out of college, and I was trying to figure out where to move, there were only about 20 improv theatres across the country. Today there are over 120. It’s grown by six times, since 2000. It’s a boom!
Script: How do you feel about your movie catalyzing the movement?
Birbiglia: (Laughs) I plead the Fifth. No, I’m proud of it, because I believe the rules of improv are good rules for collaboration in life. It’s about saying yes; it’s about the group; it’s about listening more than you talk — all good rules to live by.
For the rest of the interview, go here.