Seek symmetries. Empower asymmetries. Establish rules of cause and effect. Repeat. These steps help guide a group of improvisers in crafting a collaboratively-established game they can heighten together. "Simplify," is my directive to students learning how to build group games organically. If you have more than two or three perspectives each vying to be heard, […]
This is a fun show. Lots of support. Big group games. Many recurring patterns through the show. Invested characters. Accepted endowments. And some authentic Improv As Improv Does Best moments. Enjoy! [wpvideo VThQG06T] Horse Apples is Matt Newman, David Pijor, Matt Micou, Patrick Gantz and Joey Tran Thank you, District Indie Improv Festival for having […]
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]
I love improv and believe (when my heart and head are in it) that I'm good at it, too. Here are some other things I love and believe myself to be good at. They share some skills with improvisation. Am I good at improv because I am good at these things, or am I good […]
I love watching these guys play. "Play" being the operative word. [wpvideo 2PrQMKfU]
Looking for an exercise to help with creating characters and embracing endowments? Here's one for you.
There's more than one way to build intensity over time. Both scenes work in an improv context. No doubt. But I prefer the second iteration. The second scene is more dynamic. Yes, both Bobs are altered by scene's end and both scenes progress, but in the second scene Bob's change is clearly delineated to establish […]
The Johnsons' suggestion was "Cat Food." Thus, Cat Videos. The whole show is worth watching and is included at the bottom of this post. But first: Mr. Mittens. [wpvideo NdNpnKCD]
Breaking the Plane – Players define where their characters are in relation to each other by choosing where to “look” for that character. Using this ability, there are so many different cool ways for us to fracture our improv stage - enabling new heights, depths, distances, and other spatial relationships. For example, in a baseball scene, […]
I get excited every time Alan Volmer and Jonathan Nelson start a scene together. They're able to create rich character with rich worlds expressed through rich reactions on a dime. This scene begins beautifully, with Alan establishing some physical business and Jonathan establishing a Personal Game for himself. When Alan references his prediliction for spider […]