Nothing bugs me more than a scene where two improvisers meet stage center, stare only at each other and talk only to and about each other. I get it. Your stage partner is truly the only other active element on stage with you. But, c'mon, show some imagination. The audience likes to see us interact […]
The Johnsons have been working on building a more collective world in their long form performances. One tool they've practiced is using their scene edits to establish and heighten an organic pattern progression. And on January 16th, 2016 they did it on stage for the first time. Watch. Enjoy. [wpvideo TajAtDB3] First time is random. […]
Hey Everybody game mechanics allow a group to build a focused direction out of disparate parts. They are so named because, though they have wider applications, they are useful to a player in navigating a scene initiated with a rush of players to the stage. When Townsend Hart starts The Johnsons' group game with "Emergency […]
Mikael Johnson, Jason Saenz and I are Best Friends. And our Best Friends format is one of my favorite. This show was the only show we taped. And while it isn't our best, it'll suffice to document our Slideshow Opening and our Three Character Format. Enjoy "Drunk Camping."
Be careful changing a scene's reality. In improv we're building something out of nothing. So if improvisers make a choice on stage they're moving forward and to negate that choice threatens to stall that forward motion as they scramble to justify the contradiction. Not only do contradictory choices disrupt the scene for the improvisers, it […]
Something fun happens in the Cat Pelts organic group game performed by The Coalition's Fall 2015 Patterns and Games class. Four improvisers enter stage together and navigate the chaos by Seeking Symmeteries. And the audience stays with them through the initial uncertainty because they're comfortable and committed. Watch. [wpvideo 9mROMiIK]
Just imagine. I bet this video is cleaner than your imagination. In fact, this example group game runs on so much enthusiasm and support it's (almost) downright wholesome. [wpvideo tOWnHhPa] Player are: Shahenn Ali, Teddy Armstrong, Amber Hendrix, Jesse Hill, Meredith Hughes, Laura Kelly and Christopher May