IMPROV WEBQUEST
*** IMPORTANT ***
Each time you complete an assignment, do the following:
1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Select a new blank document.
3. Save blank document as "Assignment 1_YOUR LAST NAME". For example "Assignment
1_PENWELL".
4. Save the document in the improv folder (see below):
You will find this folder by clicking:
P drive (student shared)
Penwell folder
Improv Assignment
Folder with your name
ASSIGNMENT 1: MY THOUGHTS ON IMPROV
Open up Microsoft Word and title this page “Assignment One: Improv.”
1. On this page, write down what YOU think improvisation is. Ever heard the word? (This
should be 2-3 sentences in length).
2. Write ANYTHING you know about Improvisation without using any outside/online
sources. This is a spot for a quick brainstorm of your own. Write down anything you can
remember from what we have done in class. Jot down anything you remember from
what we watched in “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Anything at all – there are no right or
wrong answers (unless you are deliberately not thinking about improv while you write.
3. Save this assignment in your folder.
ASSIGNMENT 2: WHAT IS IMPROVISATION?
Read the following FOUR definitions and answer the questions below:
Definition 1: Click here and read “Improvise” Dictionary.com Definition for improvise.
Definition 2: Click this link and see what it says.
http://www.hideouttheatre.com/about/what-is-improv
Definition 3: Arts Alive definition for Improvisation (listed alphabetically, scroll to
"improvisation")
Definition 4: Movement Improvisation is the creation of movement/dance based on an
outside source that causes you to act on your impulses and create unplanned
movement.
TO DO: Once you have read all four definitions of improvisation, open up Microsoft
Word and title this page “Assignment Two: Improv.” Answer the following questions:
1. How does YOUR definition compare to the actual definitions of improvisation?
2. What were you right about?
3. What did you learn that you didn't know before?
4. What do you still have questions about?
ASSIGNMENT 3: IMPROV BEYOND “ACTING ON STAGE.”
Watch the following THREE clips. Each one is a different form of improv: Dance, Acting
(movement) and music.
ommonly used in...
Dance
Acting
Music
Once you have watched all of the clips, open up Microsoft word and answer the
following questions. title this page “Assignment Three: Improv.” Answer the following
questions:
1. Summarize what you saw in EACH of the clips.
a) Dance
b) Acting
c) Music
2. Which one did you enjoy watching the most and why?
3. Which one did you enjoy watching the least and why?
4. Was there anything that was confusing for you while you were watching the clips?
5. Did the clips teach you anything about the types of improv in which people can
participate? What did they show you?
Why Improvise?
ASSIGNMENT 4: WHY DO PEOPLE IMPROVISE?
Read the following two paragraphs:
To Explore unknown movement. To learn that which is beyond technique. Improvisation
may allow dancers to discover natural and everyday movements that are unknown to
them. This discovery of natural movement may also help a dancer become better by
finding and embracing their natural movement. and enhancing their performance skills.
To Create compositions and dances. Improvisation serves as a way to create dance
movement. Dancers can improvise and find a movement they like. By repeating that
movement, the body will naturally transition to a new movement. By doing this
repeatedly, a dancer can compose an entire phrase through improvisation.
Next, click the following link and read through the 10 reasons that are given for HOW
Improv can help you, in life and on stage.
http://www.highexistence.com/10-reasons-improv-best-tool-self-improvement/ (you
do not have to watch the video, it is up to you!)
Once you have read the page and the definitions above, open Microsoft word and title
this page “Assignment Five: Improv.” Answer the following questions:
1. Why do you think people improvise?
2. Pick 3 of the benfits that were listed on the webpage that stuck with you the most.
Write them on your page.
3. Explain how you think improv might help you.
4. Reread the following quote by Patti Smith:
“Say anything,” he said. “You can’t make a mistake when you improvise.”
“What if I mess it up? What if I screw up the rhythm?”
“You can’t,” he said. “It’s like drumming. If you miss a beat, you create another.”
-Patti Smith
Answer this: Explain what you think is being taught by this lesson. What do you think is
the point that is trying to get across?
*don’t forget to save your work in your folder when you are done*
ASSIGNMENT 5: DAVID MORRIS TED TALK
Watch the following TEDTalk by improv actor, David Morris. Once you are done, answer
the following questions. Open Microsoft Word and save this page as, “Assignment Six:
Improv.”
David Morris’s 7 Rules of Improv
1. Play. What is “play” and why is it important to engage in it?
2. Let Yourself Fail. In improv, if you fail at a skit/scene/character what is the worst
thing that can happen?
3. Listening is the Willingness to change. Explain why listening to your improve
teammates is one of the most crucial elements in building an improv scene.
4. Say, “Yes.” What happens when you say “no” to your teammate in improv?
5. Say, “Yes, and….” Why is it important to add on to an idea in improv theatre?
6. Play the Game. Explain what he means by this – and, comment on part of the game
that you play each day.
7. Have fun.(no question to answer, just remember this!).
ASSIGNMENT 6: IMPROV TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
Using the websites below as a helpful guide, define the following improve terms. Open
Microsoft Word and save this page as, “Assignment Seven: Improv.”
Helpful page: http://www.dangoldstein.com/howtoimprovise.html (look at the bottom
of the page)
DEFINITIONS & QUESTIONS
1. blackout
2. Blocking
3. characterizing action
4. denial
5. fourth wall
6. gag scenes
7. justification
8. rule of three
9. runner
10. status
11. “yes and..”
12. What does it mean to “raise the stakes” in improve theatre?
ASSIGNMENT 7: PRACTICING YOUR IMPROV SKILLS
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDSP8wYlMzY
Once you have watched, Open Microsoft Word and save this page as, “Assignment
Eight: Improv.” Answer the following questions:
1. List five of the skills that she suggested in the video.
2. Why does she tell you to “use your emotion?”
ASSIGNMENT 8: HISTORY OF IMPROV
Using online sources, and the helpful sites posted below, answer the following
questions. Open Microsoft Word and save this page as, “Assignment Nine: Improv.”
1. Who was Viola Spolin? Why is she important to Improv?
2. Who was Keith Johnstone? Why is he important to Improv
3. What is The Second City? Who are some famous entertainers who have performed at
The Second City?
4. What is Commedia dell’Arte?
Websites that will help you:
http://www.laughterforachange.org/about-us/improv-history/
http://www.improvcomedy.org/history.html
ASSIGNMENT 10: WORDLE
Make a list of 15-20 words that you think describes improv theatre. These could be the
names of people involved in improv, television shows, definitions, important theatres,
actors, whatever you think comes back to improv in some for or another.
Next, you are going to create a collage that shows what you have learned about improv.
Go to the website – http://www.wordle.net/
These two sites will help you if you have never created a wordle before:
http://www.haverford.k12.pa.us/cms/lib5/pa01001043/centricity/domain/605/wordle.
pdf
http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Wordle
Remember to take a screenshot of your wordle when you are done, and save it in
Microsoft Word as “Assignment 10: Improv” in your folder.
Once you have completed ALL of your assignments above:
Assignment 11: You’re done – watch this – for fun! (It’s good – Top 10 movie scenes that
were improvised) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNAajAflpBQ