I love World Building in improvisation. With World Building in mind we can bring focus to our Organic Formats. The first scene of a show starts in a train; the rest of the show exists in that same train. The first scene of a show starts with Little League players. The next scene focuses on […]
Looking for a fun character-based Opening for your long-form improv format? Try a Duologue or, like The Johnsons do, try several. Here are two examples - [wpvideo gLsIn4rT]
Looking for a fun improv warm-up with some character-building tools?
USSR 1730... Vladimir Toma invents a heating device... "Yah, so, this I call...vodka..." The difference between one actor delivering all three of those lines and three improvisers delivering one of those lines apiece is huge in terms of audience reaction. When the audience sees that a player is accepting a choice given to them - […]
Don't solve problems in improv. If there's a fire on stage we want to throw gas on it, not water. A lot of group games start with problem statements. "We need to..." "Let's figure out..." "Brainstorm time!" The problem with problems is that when we're focused on working up a solution we too often deprioritize […]
Check out this Two Person scene performed by Shaheen Ali and Christopher May. In it the performers weave patterns of emotional behavior to link characters, relationships and environment in a sustainable scene. Enjoy! [wpvideo 3EOke0v5]
Jive Turkey is Chris Ulrich and Joe Randazzo. They've been working on a two-man format where all the worlds connect. There's certainly a through-line of a plot here - finding one character's spouse, trying to have a threesome with said spouses, etc. - but what I like here is that the worlds are more connected by […]
Want to see a Monoscene? Here's a good one. Greg Tindale, Jordan Hirsch, Amanda Hirsch and Sean Murphy of the Washington, DC based group Hijinx took one suggestion and built a great work of character and relationships out of it. Check it out. [wpvideo Q7ARBujL]
Looking for an exercise to help with creating characters and embracing endowments? Here's one for you.
Boldly choose. Boldly commit. Accept everything your scene partner says and does. Accepting doesn't mean you have to like it, but you have to allow it to happen - and to repeat. Commit. Push forward. And you'll find yourself on the other end. Stopping forward momentum to discuss, argue or otherwise conflict will kill you […]