Carl Koterwski has managed the Improv at Harrah’s for 11 years and says there is no secret to mastering improvisation. “Just getting up there and doing it is the only way you’ll ever learn it,” Koterwski says. “Join an improv group and go hone your skills.” Improv is the only form of comedy, and probably entertainment, that is guaranteed to fail. “It’s absolutely the scariest thing you can do; it’s pure trial-and-error,” Koterwski says. Preparation is the key—improv comics need to know that audiences will gravitate in predictable directions and have appropriate material ready. “When you ask for a type of doctor, almost always it’s a gynecologist or prostate doctor,” Koterwski says. “If you ask for a condition, the audience usually throws out Tourette’s or split personality. If you ask for a body function, they usually throw out fart or throwing up.” So if you’re interested in taking a whirl in improv and, maybe, becoming the next Ryan Styles, Wayne Brady or Second City member, work on that passing-gas material.