A wonderful conceit about Seinfeld, explicit in the meta-dealings with Jerry's and George's sitcom pitch within the sitcom, was that it was a "show about nothing." Yet of course the truth is that, while maybe an episode is not be driven by plot, it is about "something" - every episode revolves around the way known […]
I sat with across from an executive. It was a benign conversation - a check-in meeting. Neither of us was all that engaged. Looking down at his desk, I noticed he'd arrayed files on his desk in the order of a rainbow - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple (though Roy G. Biv forever, squad). I […]
"Silver." "Eclipse." "Model." Not a Word Association that would pass muster. How does the second move build on the first? How does the third Cement the pattern? What's the progression?
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]
A Coalition show called Strange Bedfellows pairs an actor with one half of a script with an improviser who ad libs their half. I had the honor of performing one night in the improviser's role. And I have never been more terrified pre-show. In a typical show, I have at least one improv partner. I […]
Nothing bugs me more than a scene where two improvisers meet stage center, stare only at each other and talk only to and about each other. I get it. Your stage partner is truly the only other active element on stage with you. But, c'mon, show some imagination. The audience likes to see us interact […]
"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 […]
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]
To establish sustainable scenes, it is helpful to remember that each player on stage can have at least one Personal and Scenic game at their disposal to heighten. Personal Game – how you react to who you are, where you are or what you’re doing * I love cake; when I eat a piece I’m overcome with […]