Shopping List
This page contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the site — thank you!
What You Actually Need for Improv
Getting started with improv doesn’t require expensive equipment or fancy gear. The best improv happens when you have the right mindset, comfortable clothing, and a few practical tools to enhance your performance and practice. Whether you’re preparing for your first class, attending a workshop, or performing in front of an audience, this shopping list covers everything beginners need to feel confident and ready to say “yes, and…” to whatever comes their way.
1. Comfortable Athletic Wear
Improv involves movement, dancing, physical comedy, and quick direction changes. Wearing restrictive clothing can limit your ability to commit fully to characters and scenes. Breathable, stretchy clothing allows you to move freely without worrying about wardrobe malfunctions or discomfort during performances.
Why beginners need it: You’ll spend hours standing, moving, and potentially doing physical bits during classes and performances. Comfortable clothing lets you focus on the scene instead of tugging at your pants or struggling to breathe.
What to look for: Look for moisture-wicking fabrics that stretch in multiple directions, like yoga pants, joggers, or athletic shirts. Avoid overly baggy clothes that limit visibility of your body language or clothing that makes noise when you move.
2. Lightweight Performance Shoes
Your feet are your foundation during improv. Poor footwear can cause pain, limit your ability to move quickly, and distract you from the scene work. Lightweight shoes with good support help you stay grounded while maintaining the agility needed for stage movement and character work.
Why beginners need it: Improv requires you to be light on your feet for quick movements, running across stage, or making sudden directional changes. The right shoes prevent foot fatigue during long rehearsals and performances.
What to look for: Choose shoes that are breathable, have flexible soles, and provide arch support without being too bulky. Cross-training shoes or minimalist athletic shoes work well; avoid heavy boots or rigid formal shoes.
3. Reusable Water Bottle
Improv is physically and mentally demanding work that leaves you sweating and dehydrated. Staying hydrated keeps your mind sharp, your energy up, and your voice clear during performances and long rehearsal sessions. A good water bottle keeps you refreshed throughout class and shows.
Why beginners need it: Dehydration kills creativity and physical endurance. Having water readily available helps you maintain focus, energy, and vocal clarity during intense practice sessions and performances.
What to look for: Choose an insulated bottle that keeps drinks cold, has a secure lid to prevent spills during movement, and is easy to clean. Size should be at least 20-24 ounces to minimize trips to refill.
4. Improv Game Cards or Reference Guide
Improv games are structured exercises that help players build confidence, practice specific skills, and create scenes with clear rules and objectives. Having a collection of games at your fingertips gives you dozens of warm-up options and scene-building tools. Cards or guidebooks organize games by category, difficulty, and skill focus.
Why beginners need it: Games provide structure that reduces the pressure of creating scenes from scratch. They teach fundamental improv techniques while keeping practice fun and energized for everyone involved.
What to look for: Look for comprehensive guides with 50+ games, clear instructions, skill progression, and categories like icebreakers, character-building, and advanced ensemble work. Digital versions and printed card decks both work well.
5. Character Development Notebook
A dedicated notebook helps you document characters you create, physical choices, voice patterns, and backstories developed during scenes. This becomes your personal reference library for callbacks and recurring characters. Writing things down reinforces learning and helps you build a toolkit of go-to characters.
Why beginners need it: Beginners often forget brilliant character choices or struggle to recreate characters from one performance to the next. Writing things down helps you remember what worked and develop deeper character relationships.
What to look for: Choose a durable notebook with enough pages for character sketches, voice notes, physical descriptions, and scene outcomes. Quality paper prevents bleeding through if you use pens, and a sturdy cover withstands being carried to classes.
6. Improv Books for Technique and Theory
Books by improv teachers like Tina Fey, Keith Johnstone, and Amy Poehler provide frameworks for understanding scene work, character development, and ensemble dynamics. Reading about improv philosophy between classes deepens your understanding and gives you mental tools for improvement. These resources offer exercises, anecdotes, and principles that transform your approach.
Why beginners need it: Understanding the “why” behind improv techniques accelerates your learning curve. Books provide context and theory that classroom instruction might not fully cover, helping you make intentional choices rather than relying on instinct alone.
What to look for: Start with approachable books that blend memoir with practical instruction like “Bossypants” or “Yes, And.” Then move to more technical guides like “Impro” or “The Improv Handbook” as your skills develop.
7. Portable Phone Tripod and Ring Light
Recording your improv scenes and performances helps you review your work, share content on social media, and identify areas for improvement. A tripod keeps your phone stable during recording while a ring light ensures your face is well-lit and visible. This equipment is essential for modern improv performers who want to build an audience.
Why beginners need it: Watching playback of your scenes reveals habits you didn’t notice during performance. You’ll see what’s landing, what’s confusing, and where you can improve physical comedy or emotional authenticity.
What to look for: Choose a lightweight tripod with adjustable height and phone holder, paired with a ring light that has adjustable brightness and color temperature. Flexibility matters so you can record from different angles and distances.
8. Headphones for Improv Audio Resources
Quality headphones allow you to listen to improv podcasts, recorded performances, and educational audio content while commuting or working out. Improv podcasts from shows like “Improv4Humans” or “Who? Weekly?” expose you to professional improviser work styles and pacing. Audio learning fills dead time while improving your ear for scene work.
Why beginners need it: Listening to professional improvisers teaches you timing, callbacks, character voice variety, and ensemble awareness that you can apply to your own work. Podcasts make your commute productive learning time.
What to look for: Choose comfortable headphones with good sound quality and either wireless or durable cord options. Long battery life matters if you’ll be listening during commutes or travel between rehearsals.
9. Costume Piece Variety Pack
Having a collection of simple costume pieces like hats, scarves, glasses, and accessories helps you quickly establish character and physicality during scenes. Props and costume elements signal character type, status, and profession instantly. A grab-bag of diverse pieces expands your character range without overthinking.
Why beginners need it: Simple costume choices boost your confidence and help audiences understand your character instantly. Beginners often feel uncertain about physicality, and having a visible element to work with makes commitment easier.
What to look for: Look for versatile pieces that work across multiple character types: hats, scarves, glasses, fake mustaches, vests, and simple props. Quality matters less than variety since you’re using them for quick character establishment rather than authentic replicas.
10. Microphone and Speaker System for Practice
A basic microphone and portable speaker system helps you practice projecting your voice and hearing yourself the way audiences will. Practicing with amplification teaches you to trust your vocal choices and avoid over-exaggeration when you don’t need it. This equipment is essential if you plan to perform in larger venues or record content.
Why beginners need it: Many beginners struggle with vocal projection and microphone technique. Practicing with equipment before your first performance reduces anxiety and helps you develop confident voice control and stage presence.
What to look for: Choose a portable wireless microphone system that’s easy to set up and reliable. Look for a speaker with good output quality that’s not so loud you can’t hear your scene partner. USB microphones work well for recording if you’re primarily practicing alone.
Budget-Friendly Tips
- Borrow before buying: Ask your improv teacher or troupe members if you can borrow equipment like tripods, microphones, or costume pieces before making purchases. Many experienced improvisers have extra gear and appreciate supporting newer performers.
- DIY costume pieces: You don’t need fancy props or costumes. Thrift stores offer incredible costume pieces for a few dollars. Build your costume collection gradually with unique finds rather than buying expensive pre-made kits.
- Use free resources first: YouTube has thousands of free improv games, exercises, and technique videos from professional improvisers. Many improv concepts can be learned free before investing in books, courses, or premium content.
Beginner vs Advanced Gear
Beginners should focus on comfortable clothing, learning resources, and tools for self-review like notebooks and recording equipment. These fundamentals build confidence and understanding without requiring significant investment. Advanced performers typically invest in higher-quality microphones for venue performances, professional lighting equipment for recorded content, specialized character costume pieces, and premium educational resources. However, the core principle remains the same: the best improv gear is whatever helps you focus on the scene work rather than distracting you with discomfort or technical difficulties. Start simple, invest as you grow, and always prioritize tools that enhance your connection with scene partners and audiences.
Ready to Sell Your Work?
Selling Platforms
Partner recommendations coming soon.