The Uncomfortable Silence
Silence on stage that performers feel as failure but audiences often register as presence — a craft-transition moment separating intermediate from advanced.
Known for
- Common intermediate anti-pattern: filling silence with expository dialogue to fix the panic.
- Johnstone coaching: 'Most improv is people trying to stay off stage while on stage. Silence is where you're finally on stage.'
- Best advanced use: after a gift lands, hold the silence. The audience processes. The partner has time to react honestly.