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 […]
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]
I adore this scene. In just over a minute 10 players flood the scene. They evolve by following and reacting. Even though a central player emerges, there is no leader. Listen to the audience's reaction. Yes, it comes at a great place in the pacing of a pattern-heavy show. Yes, the final line is a […]
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 […]
"A Massage Convention's an HR hotbed." --> "If OSHA says this is wrong, I don't want to be right." With Hey Everybody mechanics in our back pocket we can confidently jump into chaos knowing that all we need to do is each stick and heighten our individual perspectives while collectively sticking to the order of […]
I am immensely proud of this show and the group that created it. It comes from The Coalition Theater's Fall Patterns and Games Class. In a Patterns and Games, success and failure hinged on the collective performance of the group. And…this class succeeded. Watch them all support each other through a performance that runs the gamut of games – rubric […]
Tertiary Player Good Faith Mantra – I will only enter a scene in progress to serve what has already been established. If you're entering a scene in progress, that scene is not about you. If you Walk On, you should only do so to heighten a reaction already perceived in the scene - feed a character's […]
I (and the audience) loved this show from The Johnsons. It's a terrific showcase for their ability to find and build scenes together as an ensemble. [wpvideo rK6IDTZk] The Johnsons are: Scott Beckett, Shawn Hambright, Townsend Hart, John Hilowitz, Jonathan Nelson, Lauren Serpa and Alan Vollmer
Exercise for practicing building organic group games collaboratively and ensuring everyone steps up to participate.