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 […]
Pimping. Fun. The audience knows the improviser is being forced into a situation where s/he has to contribute. The power of the expectation - what is s/he supposed to deliver, what is s/he supposed to be knowledgeable of - and the power of the moment -confidently accepting the challenge/endowment - lends the best pimping moments a "it […]
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.
I'm enamored by memories of the Chicago teams "People of Earth" and "American Dream." Often an audience member remembers a show by the handful of great scenes it produced. These groups of talented improvisers created memorable shows because the scenes built on each other to create a singular experience. This post aims to provide some […]
Watch this scene, starring Scott Beckett as "Mr. Johnson" and Jonathan Nelson as "Jeeves."
A fun Pack show featuring Nick Leveski and Patrick Gantz having a lot of fun endowing each other and reacting to one another. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hV5VtQrImA?feature=player_embedded&w=640&h=360]
Here's a scene from a Pack show I did with Nick Leveski, a seasoned Chicago improviser. This scene evoked a huge laugh from the audience. Like many stage-to-video improv moments, the laugh gets lost in translation. But I believe I know what the audience liked. We didn't explain the scene; we lived the scene. When […]
An improv stage can be anywhere. On it we can do anything. You could be in a submarine on Mars raising talking chickens. Often improvisers are good at labeling the moment. But you need more than words; you have to be in the world. This exercise focuses on attaching emotions to the scene's active elements […]
Looking for another exercise to help players drill Organic Group Games? Look no further.