Improvisation and Character in Comedy Magic

I’m known as a comedy magician. But people who know my work, fellow performers, repeat audience members, even crew, often walk away talking about my improvisation. I get asked all the time, “How much of that was made up?” The honest answer is: a lot. But what makes the improv effective isn’t just being quick on my feet. It’s that the improvisation comes from my character, and it’s completely interwoven with the structure of the show.

The biggest compliment I get, and the result I aim for, is when people can’t tell the difference between what was scripted and what was spontaneous. That’s because my scripted lines are delivered with the same tone, rhythm, and energy as the improvised ones. Everything is meant to feel like it’s being said for the first time, in that moment, just for that audience.

Early in my career, I didn’t think about character. I focused on tricks, built in comedy, and hoped the laughs would land. But when I started performing for tougher crowds like college audiences, the inconsistencies became obvious. I realized I needed more than material. I needed a clear identity on stage.

Studying improv, taking acting classes, and learning to shape a character changed everything. It didn’t limit my comedy. It sharpened it. Because now, every ad-lib has a voice, a purpose, a filter.

Improvisation isn’t about chaos. It’s about freedom within structure. When your character is solid and your performance style is honest, even your most off-the-cuff lines will feel like they belonged there all along.

-Mike Hammer