I took beginner improv comedy lessons from BATS in San Francisco, and also saw several of their shows, and it was a revelation. The cardinal rule of improv is

I took beginner improv comedy lessons from BATS in San Francisco, and also saw several of their shows, and it was a revelation. The cardinal rule of improv is "Yes, And": If your partner exclaims "Oh no, our house is burning!", then henceforth your house is burning. You might respond: "Fluffy!" Whether Fluffy is a cat, a dog, or something else then depends on how your partner reacts. One thing that struck me is that improv is not about trying to be funny, it's about building a connection with the other actors on stage, and about welcoming the unexpected and rolling with it. I think the same could be said for most humor in general.