The Art of Play
Center Stage
Summer Intensive 2010
Improvisation!
What is Improvisation?
To make something up or invent it as one goes
on; to proceed by guess rather than by a
careful plan. To invent or create something
quickly or without a plan; to wing it.
What can you Improvise?
Music!
Jazz musicians use improvisation in
their songs and solos.
Food!
Lots of great foods and recipes were
improvised by their creators, like
chocolate chip cookies.
Theatre!
Improvised Theatre
Improvised theatre, also known as improv, is when a
group of performers create original scenes and
characters on the spot.
The actors use new information or suggestions as the
basis of their sketches, which is provided by the
audience or another member of the group.
There are two main types of improv, shortform or
longform.
Shortform and Longform Improv
Shortform improv is made of short scenes around a
predetermined structure or game that are driven by
audience involvement.
Longform improv is a whole show of short scenes with
related characters, stories, or themes.
Examples of Improv
Whose Line is it Anyway? is a great example of
shortform improv. Some of their best know
skits include:
Scenes from a Hat
Irish Drinking Song
Party Quirks
Props
Where did Improv come from?
Improv draws from the theatrical traditions of
commedia dell’arte and clowning, and the ideal of
‘living in the moment’ was a large part of
Stanislavski’s system of acting.
However, improv as we know it today mainly comes
from teachers Viola Spolin and Keith Johnstone, who
transferred their theatre games from the classroom
to the public stage.
What are the rules?
There are no real formal rules to improv, but
here are some good tips to make sure that
your sketch will be great!
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Guidelines for Improv
1. Never say ‘no’.
When you say ‘no,’ you shut down the whole scene by
denying the world you’re trying to create.
If your partner says “It certainly is a nice day to build a
sandcastle on the beach!” and you follow with “No, we
certainly picked the wrong day to fight aliens in space,”
the scene has no where to go.
Instead, you should say “Yes, and…” to continue the
scene and add more details.
Guidelines for Improv
2. Don’t try to ‘be funny’.
If you try to play funny to the audience, they will
know that you’re only looking for laughs and are
not invested in your scene.
If you concentrate on your
scene, trust your instincts,
and listen to your partners
the funny will come!
Guidelines for Improv
3. Always establish a location and include
lots of specific details!
By adding lots of concrete details to your scene,
you become invested in the scenarios and create
interesting characters and situations.
If you’re walking an out-of-control dog in the city
park, the situation will be a lot different if you are
in charge of a hot pink Chihuahua versus a lime
green Great Dane!
Where can I do Improv?
Improv can be done
anywhere if there is an
open space and willing
people!
But there are also
numerous theatres
which specialize in
improv throughout the
nation.
The Second City
The Second City is an improv
theatre located in Chicago,
Illinois.
The theatre was founded in
December 1959 by a group
of actors.
The Second City training
center began in the 1980s,
as the demand for classes in
all forms of comedy
increased.
The Second City
Besides the Chicago location, the Second City
has outposts in Hollywood and Toronto, as
well as a touring group.
Here are some great examples of Second City
Sketches:
Dr. Know-It-All
Sassy Gay Friend
Ricardo Montalban School of Fine Acting
Perma-Laque Hair Spray
ComedySportz
ComedySportz [CSz] is an organized network of
improv theatres throughout the nation. In 1984, CSz
was founded by a group of comedians in Milwaukee
Wisconsin.
Instead of presenting skits and sketches, CSz’s shows
are created by two teams of Actletes who compete in
games and scenes for audience approval. Just like real
sports, there are points and fouls awarded by the
referee who runs the game.
ComedySportz - Fouls
1. The Brown Bag
If an Actlete [or audience member] uses foul
language or crude references, they must wear a
brown bag over their head for the remainder of the
scene.
ComedySportz - Fouls
2. The Groaner
If an Actlete uses a joke bad enough to make the
audience groan, they loose one point unless they can
make a heartfelt apology to the audience.
ComedySportz - Fouls
3. Delay-of-Game
If the scene becomes uninteresting, a Delay-of-Game
foul is called.The Actletes are then given 15 seconds
to make the scene interesting again, or face ejection
and point deduction.
ComedySportz
ComedySportz has groups in New York, Philadelphia,
Washington DC, Texas, Los Angeles, and even in
Manchester UK and Berlin Germany!
Here are some great examples of some CSz games:
185 Game
Five Things
Blind Freeze
The Groundlings
The Groundlings are an improv troupe based out of Los Angeles,
CA. The group has been active since it was founded in 1974.
The Groundlings School of Improvisation was founded in 1979,
teaching improv, sketch comedy, and comedy writing.
Now that you have the tools…
Ready?
Set?
Go Improvise!