The Elements of Improv

Stage (Improv Performance)

The Anatomy of an Improv Show

This is how to do a simple and diverse montage improv show with just a single word from the audience.

Everyone comes out with high energy, hooping and hollering.
A designated person will introduce the troupe and get a suggestion from the audience.
The first person who steps out will use the word as an inspiration for their silent object work and big emotion. If you get “sunshine” from the audience, maybe you’re excitedly putting on sunscreen, or frustratingly adjusting the blinds.
A second person will join in the activity, silently doing the same thing or something that goes along with it, also with their own emotion that doesn’t have to match the first person’s, but can.
After a few seconds of silent activity, make eye contact and name each other, letting their emotions through as they say the name – let the names be inspired by the scene and don’t pre-plan. “Jessica…” “Trevor…”
Now start talking and Yes-anding.
When you find out what the scene is about together, play with what emerges.
When the scene hits a funny moment (or stalls out), someone not currently in the scene will come from the back or side line and wipe the scene.
Everyone that wasn’t in that scene should be picking something from it to A to C and use as potential inspiration for the next scene.
Blinds make me think of cords which makes me think of computers. I’m going to start the next scene by happily typing in an office.
Every scene try to find something from the previous scene to use to A to C for the next scene.
If a third character is named that isn’t currently in the scene, someone from the back line can enter as that character. “My boss is coming over for dinner.” Keep Walk-ons to a minimum for now and only when someone is named – we’ll teach more on that topic later!
String scenes together like this for the allotted time. A to C something said in the previous scene. The more tangental the better!
When the timer hits zero, everyone throws their arms up and says “THAT’S OUR SHOW!!!”
Take a bow and exit the stage.

Stagecraft

There are a few things to keep in mind when you are on an improv stage to make sure you are seen and heard, and to make sure that others are seen and heard, especially when you have a full audience watching.

Share the Energy
If there are more than two people on stage, you will need to share the energy, otherwise the audience will hear static if improvisers are talking over each other. Talk popcorn style. Remember the Energy disc/object from the Share the Energy exercise. You can give the energy to someone else or you can take it through body language and eye contact.

Project Your Voice (even when whispering)

Talk louder than you think you may need to. We are generally not mic’d up, so you want to make sure that the person on the back row of seats can hear you clearly. If you are naturally soft-spoken, push your volume up.

If whispering in a scene, do a ‘stage whisper’ and change the tone of your voice to that of a whisper, but try to keep your volume up. The audience will understand that it’s a whisper.

Cheat Out Towards the Audience

When you are on a stage, be aware of how you are facing the audience. You always want to have your face towards the audience and never have your back to them. Sometimes this will feel awkward to you on stage, but it looks correct to the crowd. We call this Cheating Out.

If you’re in a scene where you might normally be facing the other person directly, instead face them at an angle so most of the audience can see both of your faces. This also will enable them to hear you.

Backline Etiquette

When you are on the backline or sidelines, you should be standing up, leaning in, and intently watching the scene, ready to provide support like sound effects or pop-ins at any moment. Don’t slouch against the wall, look disinterested, or be chatting to each other behind the scene going on. It’s okay to have a quick whisper to someone if you have an idea for the next scene, but it should not be distracting from what’s going on in front of you.

Don’t be in Every Scene
While it’s great to get out and start scenes, make sure you’re giving others a chance to start. If you’ve been in two or three scenes in a row, hang back for a scene or two to give others the spotlight.

Be a Great Audience Member

When your troupe isn’t performing, support the other troupes by being an enthusiastic audience member.

Video: Everyone Starts Somewhere

A video with some improvisers in Chicago in 1996. See if you recognize a few faces…

Movie Trailer:
We Are Freestyle Love Supreme