Intro to Improv - Week 1: Yes, And... (Agreement)

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 AND HONORING

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, agreeing with it, and then honoring it by then 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!

GIFT INFORMATION: SENTENCES ARE BETTER THAN QUESTIONS

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

Your number one job on an improv stage is to make your scene partner look great. Their job is to make YOU look great. Everyone lifts everyone else up. We signify this with a ritual called ‘Got Your Back’ before shows where we gently tap our teammates on the back and say ‘Got your back…’ I’m going to make you look great, you’re going to make me look great!

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.

 

“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.

 

“Banana-banana-banana”

Silly but effective ‘safe word’ to signal that a scene, topic, or situation is becoming unacceptable.

 

“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.”

Class Basics

Keep things clean

For classes, we will keep things between a PG-13 to light R level. 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.

Student Rights

  • You should feel safe at all times during classes, practices, and performances.
  • You will be treated respectfully at all times. 
  • You can set your own boundaries for physical contact and personal space. 
  • You can step out of any scene or situation in which you feel uncomfortable for any reason.
  • You can speak up if you recognize that someone else is feeling uncomfortable or unsafe and you have their back by doing so.
  • You can speak openly and honestly with each other, the teachers, and the leadership at any time.
  • You can turn down any suggestion that you find offensive, embarrassing or demeaning. 
  • You can make mistakes. Mistakes are awesome, funny, and an important part of how we learn.
  • Be kind and patient with yourself. You’re learning!

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:

Intro to Improv Exercises

Here are descriptions of some of the improv games that were played this week if you want to share them with friends and family!

Zip Zap Zop

Simple pattern game. Form a circle. First person says Zip and points to another person (or hand swipes towards them), next person says Zap, third person says Zop and repeat the pattern.

Clap Pass

Circle up. Two people clap at the exact same time. Then they pass it to the next person and clap at the exact same time. Go around the circle at least once and then give them instructions that they can now send the energy in the other direction by staying with that same person and clapping again. You’ll likely need to remind them to try and be in sync when clapping.

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! 

Squirrel Nut Tree

Circle game. Three people form a triptych together. First person out says “I’m a Squirrel” and puts their body in the shape of a squirrel. 2nd person says “I’m a Nut” and takes the shape of a nut. 3rd person says “I’m a Tree” and takes the shape of a tree. The person who was out there first (or longest) says who stays and the other two return to the circle (let’s say Tree for the example). The person remaining then says their own thing again “I’m a Tree” and two more people come out to join them doing something that goes along with a Tree that is neither a Squirrel or a Nut this time. (example “I’m a swing” and “I’m a leaf”). Person out longest says who stays and repeat again. Note: You’ll often have to remind the first person to say theirs again to get the pattern going, remind the one out there the longest to keep one, and also encourage them to keep it flowing and not leave anyone out there by themselves for long. 

 

For the last one, find an easy one to have all of the class pile on to finish it off.