The most common way to end an improv scene is with a sweep edit.

Sweep edits indicate the end of one scene. Being an unusual movement, they are rarely mistaken for an action inside the scene. However, sweep edits do have a few downsides.

• They are artificial, a meta action outside the world of the show. They distract from the reality built inside the scene.

• They are foreign, only existing inside improv. They can be distracting to new audience members.

• They are mechanical, rarely being able to be themed to the show or scene.

Sweep edits are the most boring way to end a scene.

They don't add anything to the show beyond "this scene is over".

Improv is a form of theater. An improv show is more interesting when it's more theatrical. But sweep edits are not theatrical. I saw an improv show by a group called Centralia. Patrick McCartney stood upstage, wearing a chair on his head.

He stood there, unmoving and unnoticed, for two full scenes.

Until another actor was declared Queen. Moving to the center of the stage, he pulled the Queen out of one scene and initiated the next as a knight pledging his loyalty.

That's theater.

And you can make your shows similarly compelling.

You can pick different kinds of edits. Whether you use tag-outs, transformations, narrative edits, or simply begin a new scene, you'll add a striking moment and surprise the audience.

Your shows will be more energetic by not having the downtime of a sweep edit. You'll perform fascinating narrations to put images in the audience's mind. You'll stand out from other improv shows merely by being different.

Getting rid of sweep edits will transform your improv show.

If you want to make shows that are worth coming to, you have to care enough to do something special and unique. Otherwise, why would anyone see your improv show? Getting rid of sweep edits is one way to make your show memorable.