FREEZE, THANK YOU – Two players assume frozen positions on stage. From the wings, another player says, “Freeze,” confidently enters, taps a player on the shoulder to indicate that they should go to the wings, and assumes a new frozen position in relation to the remaining player. Lessons: • Confidence sells – Don’t worry about […]
Agreement is a cornerstone of improvisation. We’re on stage creating something out of nothing. If I create one thing out of the ether then we have something. We want to build that something up and out; we don’t debate the validity of something made up. Agreement is the improviser’s mantra: “Yes, And.” It’s not Yes […]
Without scripts, improvisers are dependent on what’s in their head – details from their lives and their personal ability to access emotion in-the-moment. The audience loves seeing us on stage. Let the audience see you to give them the ability to connect with you and ultimately root for you. CAFÉ SCENES – Two players sit […]
CONVERSATION PARTY – Players stand on stage in multiple groups of two or three people. Players are “at a party” as themselves, speaking as themselves to other who are also themselves. The teacher conducts focus from one conversation to the next. Lessons: • Be specific – You don’t have to try so hard to be […]
Objective: If we are creating together we need to ensure we hear each other’s contributions. Focus out to hear. Project out to be heard.
21 – The group (without teacher) huddles in a tight circle and together counts to 21 with players contributing one number at a time. If two people speak at once, the group must start over. Lessons: • Breathe; Don’t rush to speak; Share focus. • We are walking backward, making each subsequent step based on […]
RED BALL, RED BULL, BREAD BOWL – With the group in a circle, a player starts by saying, "Dustin, Red Ball" then mimes throwing to that player who catches it, says "Red Ball, Thank you" then passes it by saying "Lauren, Red Ball." Then you add more pretend balls/objects and try and keep them all […]
BIG BOOTY - One person is "Big Booty" everyone else is a number in order from the left of BB all the way around. You start with a chant "Big Booty, Big Booty, Big Booty, UH HUH" Then the passing is "Big Booty/Number 1" "Number 1/Number 5" "Number 5/Big Booty" etc. When someone messes up, […]
CIRCLE OF SEQUENCES – A player points at another and says any word. That player points at another player and says another word inspired by the first. This continues until every player says a word and points to another player, with the final player to contribute pointing back to the first player to contribute. This […]
Focus Outward: There is a ton of material for us to mine in our improv if we are committed to seeing it, hearing it and embracing it. We don’t need to be in our heads worried about making something happen once we learn how we can follow what’s already happening to a collaborative end. Suggested […]