Archive for December, 2011

Lessons from Community: No means Yes

Lessons from Community: No means Yes

By Randall | Improv Tips

Britta: Don’t talk to Vaughn. Pierce: You know, I’m telling you, your hormones are clouding your j… Britta: DON’T. TALK. TO. VAUGHN. (walks off) Pierce: That is girl for “Talk to Vaughn.” (Seaons 1, Episode 8) That is also improv for “Talk to Vaughn.” In almost any scene, insisting that someone not do something is [&hellip

Creative Performance

By Randall | Improv Tips

I used to think the skill in performing was learning to play the same piece exactly the same every time. Now I realize the genius is in being able to play it differently every time. Even with scripted performance, there is a lot of freedom in how you play it, whether that be a concerto [&hellip

Games – Zip Zap Zop

By Randall | Games for Workshop

With everyone standing in a circle, the first improviser begins the pattern of “Zip, Zap, Zop” by clapping their hands at someone and saying “Zip.” The person that they indicated will then clap at someone and say “Zap.” Then the third person will do the same but say “Zop.” After this, the next person starts [&hellip

Games – Layers

By Randall | Games for Shows

Played with 5-7 improvisers, typically everyone that is in the show. If playing with 6 people, for example, number off from 1 to 6. The person that is #1 will receive a suggestion and start a scene by himself or herself, with everyone else offstage. After he/she has had a little bit of time to [&hellip

Games – Pass the Clap

By Randall | Games for Workshop

Everyone stands in a circle. One person starts by making eye contact with the person next to them, and then both of them clap at the same time. The second person then turns to the next person, and they clap together. The “clap” is passed in this way around the circle until a pair does [&hellip

Games – Go

By Randall | Games for Workshop

Go is a great way to focus the group at the beginning of a workshop. Start out with everyone standing in a circle. One improviser begins by making eye  contact with another person in the circle and pointing to them. When that person says, “Go,” the first person starts walking to their spot, and the [&hellip

Lessons from Community: Commitment

By Randall | Improv Tips

You can learn a lot about improv, and life, from Community: “You got this thing you do with your face when you’re trying to be funny that forces people to think about how cool you think you are. It’s a little distracting.” (Season 1, Episode 2) This happens a lot in beginning improv, and even [&hellip

Your Potential – Get To Know It

By Randall | Improv in Life

Something I’m starting to learn: You know those things that you think are awesome when you see other people doing them, or even just hear about them? You can do those things! Why aren’t you doing them yet??? Awesome things I’ve done in 2011: -Learned and performed short form improv -Assisted with teaching improv -Whitewater [&hellip