This month I chatted to over 30 female improvisers from all over the UK to celebrate the talent that we have – we also discuss some of the important debates surrounding this topic as well. Today I talk to an improviser that is part of City Impro and Plus Support – Trynity Silk

Hello There! Tell us who you are and three random facts about yourself!

I’m Trynity Silk, a South African living in and loving London.

I have Spongebob Squarepants tattooed to my bum

I’m a trumpet player and I’m a combat sport ring announcer

How did you get into improv?

I grew up on Friday night showings of Who’s Line Is It Anyway which definitely ignited something within me. I’m an actor and studied drama at University and improv was always an element I loved more than most. Moving to London changed my life, Improv is alive and growing and there are abounding opportunities to perform constantly.

What inspired you to start improv?

I’d always wanted to do improv but what filled me with enough courage to audition for a troupe was the film Don’t Think Twice. It was a big inspiration and took the pressure out of the concept for me. Improv is all about having fun and it shouldn’t be anything less than that.

What troupes are you are a part of?

Currently I’m apart of a short form group called City Impro and a long form group called Plus Support.

Tell us about the styles of improv you enjoy and why

I love all forms of improv, especially comedic improvising. I’m very keen to get involved in some musical improv as well!

Who are some Improvisers that you find inspiring and why?

Kirstin Wiig , Wayne Bradley, Jane Lynch, Tina Fey… aaaah, and so many more. And of course these are big big names, but I think that’s why they’re such an inspiration. To have maintained enough humility to take the piss out of yourself when you’re at that level is honorable.

I have read many articles around the debate that it is harder to be a woman in improv – what are your thoughts on this and why?

Personally, I haven’t experienced this. There seems to be a really welcoming community of improvisers in the London scene. It’s always going to be a little harder to crack that British exterior, but that’s prevalent in all sectors of life 😉

Do you find that being a female in an improv show that the suggestions you can get are traditional and stereotypical? How do you feel when you get given these?

I haven’t experienced this much but I also think this can come down to the atmosphere in the venue and the format of the show. I’ve felt far more debased in other areas of performance and so far improv has been accepting and inclusive for me.

What have been some of your favourite moments on stage?

Getting totally lost in the brilliance and wit of my fellow players and corpsing on stage till I can’t breath is always where I find myself most consumed in joy. Improv is about laughing hysterically

What have been some of the worst and why?

Worst moments, probably when I’ve been going through a really hard time (most recently, a death in the family) and finding myself unable to be present on stage. Feeling lost in sadness and being unable to find my wit and motivation. Sometimes you just aren’t feeling it and it requires an I tense amount of focus (sometimes distraction) warmup and meditation and you don’t always get that time before a show.

For new improvisers, what would your key bit of advice be?

Go and watch loads of improv! See how much fun everyone is having up there, and then go to some jam nights and join in. What’s great about improv is that there’s usually a host explaining exactly how it all works and the rest is simply whatever comes out your mouth first. Go and have fun.

 What are three things you want to focus on this season with your own improv?

I plan to do a lot more reading about improv. It’s something I’d like to study further so that I can hone my skills a little better.

I want to get involved in some musical improv and I’ll be looking out for groups short on members.

Watch more improv. It’s important to support the art you’re apart of and attending improv shows is a good way to meet other improvers and learn different styles.

What is the future of improv?

I am a big believer in interactive theatre, I see audience participation as a key element in creating a more interesting theatre scene and improv is definitely a starting place. I think audiences are looking for shows where they can be apart of the creating process how better than using your imagination to shape everything that goes on on stage?