Sex with me is like…

…a backline game, let me tell you what I like about it in details!

A backline game is an improv game where players line up on stage, get a suggestion and take turns stepping forward to give the audience their take on it, verbally, physically or both.

Popular versions include Sex with me, World’s Worst or 185, but do they have any value besides shock, childish puns and sex jokes?

The world’s worst rainbow!

I say yes, but there’s of course a time, place and an audience for everything. Some games are for stage, others for practice and some are for both. So here’s why I like backline games, in no particular order:

1. Sex with me is like a backline game, it’s a crowd pleaser! There’s nothing wrong with giving your audience what they want (usually). Sex with me fells like the Louie Louie of improv (“If all else fails, do Louie Louie” — Iggy Pop)
2. Sex with me is like a backline game, it’s a good closer. Backline games usually have a very clear peak, a high note, a big laugh, and that can be a good time to end the show.
3. Sex with me is like a backline game, fake it till you make it! They’re a great way to practice committing to your idea and the confidence to sell it to the audience. Your idea is always good, unless you tell the audience it’s not.
4. Sex with me is like a backline game, you don’t need to know! Backline games provide a relatively safe way to encourage risk taking. If you’ve got an idea, great! If not, great! Take that bold step forward into the unknown and see what your brain gives you. If your brain is not playing ball the improv Gods will provide you with something instead, I promise. Then commit.
5. Sex with me is like a backline game, the more the merrier! You bravely stepping forward, taking a risk and committing will make it safer for the rest of the backline to do the same. That’s a pretty neat superpower!
6. Sex with me is like a backline game, stop asking for permission! That silent and awkward moment when the backline is out of ideas and inspiration and we’re all looking at each other to see if anyone’s got any more? Backline games can train performers to stop asking for permission and instead step forward and ask for a new suggestion when needed. And we can all get better at not asking permission to do things and just do it, on and off stage.
7. Sex with me is like a backline game, I got cheerleaders! Train the backline to always be supportive to what their partner does when stepping forward. We’re making it safer for our partner to step forward and the audience loooooves watching us support and take care of each other!
8. Sex with me is like a backline game, it clears your head! If your job is to listen and support the person that just stepped forward you’re less in your head and more in the moment. Which is why the audience came to see your i m p r o v i s e d show.
9. Sex with me is like a backline game, honk honk! They can be a great segue to clowning or object work. Any World’s worst can easily be 10–30–60 seconds longer and you improve your scene work. Again, your idea is always good if you tell or show us so.
10. Sex with me is like a backline game, that’s not i-it!! You never have to succeed, but you do need to try and be more comfortable failing on stage and in front of others. It’s safer to take that bold step into nothingness if you got the support of the whole group regardless what you do! See also #5.
11. Sex with me is like a backline game, it’s always the same! Backline games can be used to teach patterns and the power of 3, 5, 7 etc. I’d love to watch the same performer try and fail miserably (but graciously and committed) in the exact same way for the third time.
12. Sex with me is like a backline game, no kink shaming, please! They can give us permission to play with taboos in a safe way. This is not to be interpreted as a free pass to be as offensive as possible.
13. Sex with me is like a backline game, use your imagination! Whatever we say or do on stage triggers the imagination of the audience. They will connect the dots for us. Why not utilize that even more?
14. Sex with me is like a backline game, just one more second! Back to committing to your idea: Train yourself to stay in it for a moment or two longer. That line you just said will have a bigger effect if you just stand there, owning your idea. Now imagine every line you say in every scene having the same effect. You can do that! You can also interact with the audience if you want to, have fun with your idea a little longer instead of running back to the safety of the line up. And please leave some hot water for the rest of us.
15. Sex with me is like a backline game, where did the ball go?Finding or knowing where the focus is is important in any scene, backline games are a clear and efficient way to practice giving and taking focus/space.
16. Sex with me is like a backline game, I’m BATMAN! You can use backline games to train characters and point of view. If you’re stepping forward every round as Batman you don’t really need anything else, because the audience will recognize the character traits and connect the dots.
17. Sex with me is like a backline game, don’t make jokes! The most obvious thing to say usually get the biggest response.
18. Sex with me is like a backline game, it’s dumb and funny! Most of us fell in love with improv because it’s fun. Yet there seems to be a growing market for “Rediscover the fun of improv” workshops around. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves why we got into this thing.

Now, can I have a suggestion for something you might find in a garage?

If you want to learn more please consider bringing the “Own your shit” workshop to your town.

Have improv, will travel. Terje Brevik is the founder of Tøyen Impro, Oslo Impro Festival and the former director of Impro Neuf, Norway’s biggest and most inclusive improv community. He’s a teacher and performer of improvised theater on and off stage and he loves to travel. Check out his stuff and connect at terjebrevik.com