Some actor’s love improv and wouldn’t think of rehearsing a role without out incorporating it on at least some level into the backstory and or subtext of their character. Personally, I think playing a scene “wrong,” meaning choosing an opposite subtext to what you think the script writer has written, can work beautifully and add an unexpected element of surprise and depth to a scene. Other actor’s like Michael Richards, who played Kramer in Seinfeld says he would improvise physical business but never dialogue.
“Its my job to bring the character to the language”.
What do you think? Do you use improve in your performances and if so, how?