IMPROVISATION (IMPROV) requires actors spontaneously create an original monologue, scene, or play without a script.
“YES, And…” Improv Rule Number One: “YES AND”. ALWAYS agree with the facts of the scene. Rule Number Two: When in doubt refer to rule number one.
PLAYERSIn Improv we call performers, “PLAYERS”. Improv is a team sport. We rehearse moves but are always playing the game of WHAT IF.
ASK FOR is a question or statement posed to the audience looking for a suggestion for scene topic.
GIVEN Facts established in a scene.
MOVES Like a game, every statement is a player’s MOVE. A scene therefore becomes a series of MOVES.
OFFERS Details and/or actions that forward the scene.
GIVE & TAKE Share the creative responsibility with scene partners. Support your team by providing details to forward the scene and building upon the other’s ideas.
IN THE MOMENT Forget the past. Don’t fear the future. Focus on the here and now.
LISTEN AND RESPOND To be IN THE MOMENT, listen to the scene and respond in real time.
PANTOMIME – Use your imagination to endow space with shape and weight of an imaginary prop or set. Believe the illusion is real and so will you audience. A “MIME” uses just PANTOMIME with any words to perform characters and scenes.
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 details.
BIG CHOICES / BIG VOICES Take chances. Project. Never fear failure. MAKE BIG MISTAKES and learn from them! If you are performing brain surgery, please do not make mistakes, at least not on me. Anywhere else, the bigger the mistake the great chance to learn. Also a number of amazing artistic works are the result of some serious mistakes (Perhaps a few bad ones as well LOL)
TALKING HEADS In a scene, actors just talk. There is no interesting action.
BLOCKING Rejecting information or ideas offered by another player.
NO QUESTIONS Rephrase questions as a detailed statement (Answer your own question).
ZINGER One line joke or physical bit. Great in a game like WORLD’s WORST but can often stop forward action in a scene. Can be a great way to end a scene.
MORE TO COME
Mr. Frasier has appeared on film, TV, Commercials and the Live theaer and is currently the director of intruction for the COMEDY HALL OF FAME FOUNDATION (www.comedyhalloffame.com) See Walt Frasier live in Times Square and touring nationwide in Improv Comedy Troupe EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH. (www.eightimprov.biz)
