If you’ve ever turned up the volume on your TV, you know that when the volume is low, when you hit the volume “up” button, it’s easy to hear the volume increase. But when the volume is already high, often you have to press the “up” button a few times before you can detect a change in volume.
In psychophysics, a branch of psychology dedicated to understanding perception, this is known as the JND, or “Just Noticeable Difference,” and in technical terms, a JND is the minimum amount the intensity of a stimulus must increase or decrease for our senses to notice it.
As improvisors, we are tuned in so closely to our teammates. We hear exactly what is said. We notice exactly what is done. Caring about small details, seeking the just noticeable differences, guides the play without us having to force what happens next.
When something seems boring, simple, expected, lens into the way it was done, the energy, the tone, something that gives us some texture and traction on the thing. This is often how we discover the unusual thing and find the funny without there needing there to be a “mistake” or someone artificially putting some spin on the ball.
As soon the first thing happens on stage, it’s useful to believe what you need to discover and play the scene is already there. And it will be, if you pay attention closely enough to find it.