The importance of chivalry in improv simply cannot be emphasized strongly enough There are few things more annoying while working an improv scene than to craft a character or create a reality out of thin air only to have it bulldozed by a player who is either A) not playing attention, or B) not willing […]
How to figure out the “What” of improv. If you’re looking for a book to help you learn the “How” of improv, there are dozens of them out there. If you are, instead, looking for the “What” of improv, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything of any depth, at least anything specifically designed for
The art of avoiding unproductive questions The magical characteristic of improv is its amorphous nature. Improv, unlike other forms of theatre, is unconstrained by rigid structural limitations. Stage actors play within boundaries; Improv actors play with boundaries. Every list of “The Rules of Improv” we’ve seen includes some version of “Don’t ask questions.” Questions, they state with emphatic certitude, are bad. It
While sketch comedy and improv are both theater-based art forms, there are basic differences between the two First: sketch comedy is scripted, improv is not. While there are TV shows that employ some improvisation (Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office), they are still working within the framework of a script; they know what the story is, even if the dialogue is
As a two-person group, we can tell you with confidence that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of games that can be played with two people Here’s a sampling of some of our favorites (and how, if necessary, we’ve adapted them) Take a look at games that are traditionally played with several people and see
Ask 25 improvisers what the secret is and you’ll get 50 different answers In our book, The 5 Elements of Improv, we outline the major points that serve to enhance and develop the improv experience, taking your scenes to the next level. These are by no means the only strategies for great improv, but they are among
