Improvisation 101
Student Resources & Syllabus Overview.
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WEEK ONE - “Introductions, Focus and Agreement”
The first week focuses on introductions, establishing a safe and collaborative environment, and introducing basic improv concepts like focus and agreement. Exercises include the
Name Game, which helps students learn each other's names and understand focus and communication, and Word Toss, which encourages quick responses and active listening. Students will also be introduced to the foundational concept of "scene work" through the
"Scene in Three Lines" exercise.
Week 2: "Yes, And"
Week two dives into the core principle of "Yes, And". After reviewing exercises from week one, students will participate in games like:
Tag to physically warm up and learn how to "freeze" in a scene.
The "Yes" Game teaches the importance of agreement and how saying "no" can prevent a scene from moving forward.
"No, Questions, Yes, And" Scenes, directly addresses the problems with negation and asking questions, reinforcing the importance of agreement.
Week 4: "Where?" Environment Work
The focus shifts to defining the physical environment and location of a scene. Exercises such as:
Scrolling Where push students to think beyond their first idea for a location and be specific.
In Single Location Exploration and Speed Tableaus, students work in groups to silently define and build a shared space, paying attention to details and consistency.
Scenework this week, Location Scenes, has students start scenes by committing to a specific location and advancing beyond their initial choices.
Week 3: "Object Work"
This week is all about incorporating imaginary objects into scenes. Students will get an overview of what "object work" is and its importance. Exercises like:
Move a Piano / Lift a Disc / Crush a Ball demonstrate group agreement and the importance of committing to the reality of an object's weight and shape.
The What Are You Doing? and Clay Circle exercises help students silently communicate objects and get comfortable with creating and accepting new ideas. The week's scenework.
Activity Scenes, has students begin scenes while doing a suggested activity, further layering on elements of scene work.
Week 5: "Who?" Characters and Relationships
This week is dedicated to developing characters and relationships.
The Name, Backstory and Initiation exercise helps students create and embody characters, and provides practice with starting scenes without asking questions.
Character Pick a Friend, Pick an Enemy is a physical exercise that helps students embody a character and think about their relationship to others.
The Character Scenes reinforce good scene work by having students play real, grounded characters rather than broad stereotypes.
Week 6: "What?" Objectives and Wants
The sixth week explores what characters want and what drives a scene.
The Mirror Speaking / Alternating Words & Sentences exercise is designed to improve listening and align a student's intention with their scene partner.
SCENEWORK: Passion and Compassion focuses on initiating scenes with a clear want, and then exploring the consequences of getting it or the reasons behind the want.
The Red Violin cooldown helps students imbue an imaginary item with meaning and commit to the changes it brings.
Week 7: "Base Reality" and Heightening
This week introduces the concepts of "Base Reality" and "Heightening".
The Base Reality Drills challenge students to define the who, what, and where of a scene with or without a suggestion.
The main scenework for the week, Base Reality with Advance and Explore Side Coaching, involves longer scenes where students are coached to move beyond the base reality to find the "Game" of the scene and heighten it.
The Two Truths and a Lie exercise helps students commit to the specifics of a detail and sell the reality of something.
Week 8: Open Class and Summary
The final week is an "Open Class" where students can invite guests to observe. After reviewing concepts from the previous week, students will revisit scenes and exercises from throughout the course.
The final scenework, Base Reality with Advance and Explore Side Coaching, provides one last opportunity for students to perform longer scenes and receive specific coaching on heightening.
The class ends with a Freeze Tag cool down, which encourages fast, physical scenes and quick initiation.