Concepts
GIVE & TAKE
Improvised dialogue going back and forth between the players with a balance exchange of ideas. AVOID Questions, blocking.
CONFLICT GOOD/ARGUING BAD
The best comedy and drama both derive from great conflict. The worst (with rare exceptions) comes from bickering back and forth minute detail
OFFER
any verbal or physical suggestion made by another voice
ASK FOR
is a question or statement posed to the audience looking for a suggestion for scene topic.
PANTOMIME
Use your space and define your environments, characters and actions using physical gestures and committing to the scene head to toe. Avoid being a talking head. Physical activities and choices take us “out of our heads” and help keep us “IN THE MOMENT”
QUESTIONS
Rephrase questions as a detailed statement (Answer your own question) most questions are usually a sign of players overly relying on their scene partners to carry a scene.
IN THE MOMENT
Be prepared, Listen and focus on the current moment. Listen and Respond to your scene partners. Planning ahead takes you out of the moment resulting in many missed opportunities and often leading to forcing your concept of the scene and negating or selling out your fellow players. Be flexible enough to move with the scene.
BLOCKING
Rejecting information or ideas offered by another player. One of the most common problems experienced by new improvisers.
YES AND...
Accept your scene partner’s offer and then advance the scene with your next response; Agree with every offer; then, respond with detailed offers that build and support your fellow players offers.
BIG CHOICES/BIG VOICES
Take chances. Don’t wimp out. Don’t be afraid to fail. Big choices lead to forward moving scenes (AS long as they do not BLOCK your partner) Big mistakes lead to big rewards. Justified BIG MISTAKES lead to outrageous results. Big mistakes are noticed and learned from. Not being afraid to make BIG MISTAKES leads to many more successful choices.