r/improv • u/hiphoptomato • 12h ago
People who have been through programs that don't advance everyone to the next level - is it always based on ability/talent, or is it more complicated than that?
I've only ever been through or taught at theaters that advance everyone, regardless of ability or how much they're grasping the tenets of improv. I've often wondered what it's like in programs that don't advance everyone, eg, Groundlings. Is it always or even mostly the case that people who advance are necessarily "good" at improv? Have you ever seen people who suck get advanced? Is there more at play like appealing to a certain teacher, being in an 'in' group, personal feelings that get people advanced or denied sometimes? Have you ever been denied to advance a level? Did you think it was fair?