Intro to Improv Week 1 - Yes And
Yes And
Whenever your scene partner presents something to you within a scene, you should agree with it and then add your own piece to it. You can dislike what they say, but you should agree that it is the truth of the scene.
Yes-and means ‘I’ve heard you and I will honor what you brought by adding to it.’
Avoid saying “No” in scenes or negating information. “Yes, but…” is also problematic since it often deflects or negates.
Listening + Honoring + Adding
A lot of times people start an improv class putting a lot of pressure on themselves to say something funny, but actually improv is about listening to what the other person has said, honoring it by agreeing with it, and then responding and adding on to it in an honest way.
Using this Listen > Agree > Honor > Add process, fun and funny things will emerge all on their own, often effortlessly!
Sentences are Better than Questions - Gift Information
Sentences work much better for improv scenes than questions do. The main reason is because when you ask a question, more often than not, you are putting the weight of information on your scene mate, whereas a sentence gifts information to them. Gifting information is always better.
We are all wired up to ask questions. It will slip out sometimes and that’s okay. If you catch yourself asking a question, don’t correct it, but rather quickly answer your own question.
“What are we having for dinner? I’m hungry for meatloaf.”
Some questions are better than others. Questions that provide some specific information are usually fine.“How was your blind date last night?” is good because it brings some information. The other character had a date last night.
If someone else asks you a question in a scene, you can answer it however you want and that becomes absolutely true, because anything you say becomes true in a scene and they have to agree with it. If they ask a Yes/No type question, most of the time it will be more fun to say Yes to it, even if it’s not something that YOU would normally say yes to. But your character can!
“I don’t know what to say…”
If you try to start a scene but have a brain fart and can’t think of what to say, “I don’t know what to say.” is a sentence and we totally allow it. Consider it your ‘Get out of jail free’ card that you can use anytime you get stuck!
Got Your Back
Class Safety
Safety Phrases
We want improv to be a safe and fun space for everyone. We’re adults and we don’t censor, but we do want to be respectful of others’ boundaries at all times. Your teachers will be your guard rails, but if we miss something, please speak up!
Here are some phrases you can use at any time, for any reason, big or small.
“Banana-banana-banana”
Silly but effective ‘safe word’ to signal that a scene, topic, or situation is becoming unacceptable.
“New Choice”
If a subject is brought up that is uncomfortable, embarrassing or offensive, the teacher, player or classmate can request a ‘New choice’ and the person will go back and restate their sentence, but this time with a different, less problematic, choice.
“Time Out”
If you are uncomfortable with something, simply say “Time Out” and/or make a “T” motion with your hands. We’ll stop the scene immediately and reset with something brand new.
“I’m Uncomfortable”
The most direct version. “I’m uncomfortable and don’t like where this is going – let’s change the topic.”
Safety Basics
Keep things clean
For classes, we will keep things to a light R level or below. Innuendo is great, but graphic sexual descriptions are generally not. Poop, pee, blood, and bodily function humor can be very funny in small doses, but we advise against going to extremes to gross an audience out.
We are adults so adult language is fine if you are comfortable with it, and it’s also totally fine to avoid adult language if you are not comfortable with it. Fudge or F*ck, do what’s right for you! The exception is if a venue has specifically requested toned down language, which we will comply with.
Be excellent to each other
Please avoid negative stereotypes and offensive slurs of all kinds. Avoid making scenes about your fellow improviser’s real personal appearance. Avoid making fun of speech impediments (lisps, stutters, etc), culturally or racially insensitive accents and speech patterns. Have fun, but not any anyone else’s expense.
Respect personal boundaries
Always respect each others’ personal and physical boundaries. For everyone’s comfort, we keep physical contact to a minimum – things like high fives and pats on the back are probably fine as long as the other party is okay with it. Anything beyond that can be done with distance where you aren’t actually touching the person. If you’re not sure, ask first. You also have the right to opt out of all physical contact if you so choose.
Anxiety
Many of us deal with anxiety and know that it can manifest in various ways without warning. Improv can be an incredible tool to help with anxiety, but there may be moments where you get stuck and can’t think of what to say or do next – and that is totally okay! If anxiety triggers while you are in class within a scene or in any other situation, please feel free to call a time out and take a break to take care of yourself. Sit and watch for a bit, or take a walk to clear your head. And whenever you’re ready, you can join back in. We understand and there is no judgment.
Side-Coaching
Our teachers use a coaching technique called side-coaching. This means that while scenes are running, we will occasionally pause the scene or quickly interject to point out opportunities so you’ll have a better idea of what to do the next time you encounter something similar. This is never personal criticism of your performance or humor, and it is meant for the benefit of the entire class. If there are ever any problems or criticisms that need to be addressed, we will handle those directly and privately with you.
Improv Video of the Week
Inventing Improv: Viola Spolin
The origins of Improv were spawned from a daughter of Russian immigrants who taught theater games to teach English to new immigrants who arrived in Chicago. Her son would later found Second City.
The full hour-long documentary about Viola Spolin is embedded below from Youtube:
Improv Exercises
Zip Zap Zop
Clap Pass
Name Thumper
A great game to learn names! Each person will say their name, make a movement to go with their name, and then give a word to go along with their name – the word can start with the same letter, rhyme, be an animal, etc. it doesn’t matter – any word is good. Go around the room one by one with everyone repeating it back after the person gives the name, movement, word combo.
Once it’s gone around at least once, explain that you’re going to give your own name & symbol and then someone else’s name and symbol. When someone sees their name and symbol, they will give their own name and symbol and someone else’s, and so on. Let them know that this isn’t a competition, so anyone can stop and ask for a name, movement or symbol at any time – it’s encouraged to do so to learn names!