Improvisational Acting

TELLING A STORY

• All the actors get to know the entire story, not just the scenes they are in

• All the actors will realize which scenes have important information for the audience to know (exposition)

• All the actors will see which plot points (or signposts) help to further the story along

• All actors will discover what parts of the story must be told through dialogue

• All actors will discover what parts of the story must be told through action

DEVELOPING A CHARACTER

• Actors will be able to experiment with and fully develop their characters

• Actor will realize how other characters influence their own character

STRENGTHENING ACTING SKILLS

• Actors will hone their listening skills

• Actors will hone their observation skills

• All actors will learn meaningful blocking

• Actors will learn to be in the moment

• Actors will learn to stay in character

RULES OF IMPROV

When doing improvisational acting, there are a number of rules actors need to obey in order for the exercises to work. Below are a list of the 18 most important to keep in mind.

No Blocking

Unlike blocking in conventional theatre (where actors move on stage), blocking in improv means refusing to "play well with others." Don't refuse an offer made by your partner or your scene will almost instantly come to a grinding halt. Example: Player A) "Hi, my name is Jim. Welcome to my store." Player B) "This isn't a store, it's an airplane. And you're not Jim, you're an antelope."

You Don't Have to Be Funny

The secret of improv is that the harder you try not to be funny the more funny your scene is going to be. Why? Because it's the very best kind of improv scene you can do is an "interesting" scene, not necessarily a "funny" one. When you do an interesting scene, a very surprising thing happens, the funny comes out all by it's self.

Don't Go Rogue

The best ways to go are to stick to your character, stick to the story that is being told, and to stay within the reality of the scene you are playing.

You Look Good When You Make Others Look Good

When you are in a scene, the better you make your partner look the better the scene is going to be and, as a direct result, the better you are going to look. All too often, I've seen players enter a scene and I can just tell they have some really great idea about the character they are going to play or an idea they want to do. This is wonderful, but guess what? Your partner probably has absolutely no idea what's cooking in your brain, and so has no idea how to react. And no matter how brilliant your idea might be, it's practically worthless if the scene as a whole goes bad.

Tell a Story

Storytelling is probably the easiest rule to remember but the hardest one to do. The real magic of improv is when we see the players take totally random suggestions (like a plumber and a cab driver selling shoes in a leper colony ) and somehow "make it work". If all these unrelated elements are going to come together then it's going to happen in the course of an interesting tale. So that's just what the players are going to try and do, tell us all a story.

Focus on the Here and Now

Another useful rule is to keep the focus on the here and now. A scene is about the people in the scene. The change, the struggle, the win or loss will happen to the characters on the stage. Focus on what is going on right this at this moment.

Be Specific - Provide Details

Details are the lifeblood of moving a scene forward. Each detail provides clues to what is important. Details help further the plot and develop characters.

Change, Change, Change

Improv is about character change. The characters in a scene must experience some type of change for the scene to be interesting. Characters need to go on journeys, be altered by revelations, experience the ramifications of their choices and be moved by emotional moments.

Stay Focused in Serious/Emotional Scenes

A long form improv set should contain a variety of scenes. Some scenes will be emotional, some will be tense, and some should be funny. The easiest way to make a scene serious is by focusing on the relationship of those on the stage (their characters).

Commit to Humor

Remember the old adage... the more ridiculous you feel, the better you look to the audience. And the opposite hold true. If you hold back, you will look like you don't know what you're doing.

Be a Giving Partner

All too often people in an improv scene will start speaking about their favorite topic- themselves and their character. Stronger scenes are built on team work.

Listen

Listen to what your scene partner(s) are saying and the way she/he says it. Each word, gesture or pause provides tons of offers and information. Listening takes us outside of our focus on self and the worry about trying to think of something to say. Listening also helps you to stay in character. Listening makes your reactions more truthful.

React Appropriately

Respond to what is said, unsaid, done and undone by our partner. Building a scene is a joint process and if we don't respond we make our partner's efforts meaningless. Also give your partner a chance to respond to what you said and did. We expect responses and reactions in real life. We should do the same in improv.

Use Actions More Than Words

Don't limit yourself just to dialogue. The fastest way to lose an audience is by talking too much. Improv and theatre are visual. Show and tell, but show more.

Silence is Golden

Don't be afraid to respond without words or take a beat (a pause or break for dramatic effect.)

Sooner Is Better Than Later

Do it now. When an opportunity for an action comes up - do it! Don't speak about it, don't lead up to it, don't put it off. Also don't let scenes drag - audiences will snooze.

Trust

Trust both your instincts and the instincts of those in the scene with you.

Have Fun and Relax

Improv should be fun. Even if it's a serious or emotional scene, if's fun to explore how human behave in all sorts of situations (isn't that why you love acting anyway?) And breathe. By letting go of fear of failure we commit more, focus more, stay in the moment, and learn.