Improvisation

DEFINITIONS

• IMPROVISE - To ad-lib, or invent dialogue and actions without a script or rehearsal

• IMPROVISATION – a spontaneous style of theatre using unrehearsed and unscripted acting scenes

Purpose of Improvisation

• Actors bring imagined circumstances (dramatic or comedic) to life through action and dialogue.

Goals in Improvisation

• LISTENING – an actor must listen to the other actors carefully so s/he can respond appropriately to what is being said.

• CLEAR AND UNDERSTANDABLE – the improv should make sense to audience. Randomness is confusing, not funny.

Point of View

• The way we think, feel or act is our point of view

• Determined by – who we are and where we are in our lives– Our needs and desires

• In portraying a character, use appropriate dialogue and actions that reflect his/her point of view

Parts of an Improvisation

• BEGINNING– Introduce the characters, establish the setting of the

scene/situation, and set up the conflict• Conflict - an obstacle the character must overcome, often a

struggle between opposing forces

• MIDDLE– Problem becomes more complicated– Each character establishes what s/he wants or needs

• END– Solve the problem and conclude the scene

STATE THE OBVIOUS

• There is NO SCRIPT or set. Everything is spontaneous and imagined.

• You must tell and show the audience EVERYTHING so they will understand.

• If a character wants something s/he must SAY IT OUT LOUD.

• If the characters are in a specific location they must SAY IT OUT LOUD and use actions that make the audience believe in that location.

Guidelines for Improvisation

• All members of an improv group must use the same guidelines for preparation and performance to be successful.

#1

• Before the scene begins– Decide who you are, what you want and what

your relationship is to the other characters

#2

• Communicate your chosen character to the audience

• Before beginning, make the necessary changes to your voice and body– The goal is to MATCH YOUR VOICE AND BODY TO

THE CHARACTER you’ve created

#3

• Do not BREAK CHARACTER– Breaking character – losing concentration or getting

out of character. Using dialogue or behavior inconsistent with the part you are playing. (laughing at self/others, forgetting an accent, etc)

• The goal of the improv is to be clear and understandable, so you must be consistent in your choices so that it is believable for the audience.

#4

• Loud and proud!• Begin the scene with enthusiasm and

confidence.• If everyone is shy and timid and refuses to

start the scene will go no where.• Do your part and JUMP IN!

#5

• Participate in the conversation. • No one can speak for your character but you. • You must be actively trying to participate or

you will blend into the set.

#6

• PAY ATTENTION!• Listen carefully to what is being said and what

is happening so that you can respond appropriately.

• To help stage fright – focus on the dialogue, on solving the problem, so that you can forget about the audience. Good actors worry about the work, not the applause.

#7

• Keep the dialogue moving.• Long periods of silence, unless filled with

CLEAR and UNDERSTANDABLE actions, are boring.

• Do not do all the talking—try to involve the other members of your team.

#8

• Avoid dead-end words and phrases; this is called blocking

• “No,” “Okay, “Well?”, and “So?” will stop the dialogue

• Disagreeing with your partner– “That’s not right.” “No, she’s not.”

• Refusing to answer a question

#9

• Avoid yes or no questions• Ask open ended questions so that your

partner can give an explanation

#10

• Look for an ending!• When the natural ending occurs, END IT.• The end might not be your idea, you have to

go with the flow.

ACTIVITY #1Find a response

• Individual activity• You will have 30 seconds to write a response to one

of the following lines. You may be asked to share with the class.

• Be realistic for the situation and creative in your response

• Lines– “I can’t believe you’re late to my class again.”– “You didn’t pass the test.”– “Why is your homework late?”

ACTIVITY #2Get a Plan

• Table activity• Class lists ideas for improv scenes on the

board.• Table plans the beginning, middle and end of 3

of the suggested scenes– How can you make the conflict interesting?

• Report to the class

ACTIVITY #3

• Small groups• Each group gets a comic strip. Group thinks of

things that COULD have happened BEFORE the comic strip began.

• Plan and perform an improv based on the situation you’ve created

Activity #4Dead Ends and Quick Starters

• Small groups• Make a list (10) of words or phrases that dead

end everyday conversations• Make a list of words (10) or phrases that

would encourage (or start) conversation• Plan a scene in which 5 of your dead-end

phrases are used. Then re-plan the scene using 5 of the quick starters.

Activity #5Acting from Life

• Small groups• List 6 real-life situations that would make good

scenes. • Plan your favorite and turn in the rest.

Activity #6Different Points of View

• Small group• Group chooses one of the listed scenes from

the board. Each member gets a character from that scene.

• Scene begins with students acting in character, trying to get what s/he wants in the situation.

• Teacher calls out FREEZE and action/dialogue stops. Group members exchange characters and pick up where that character left off.