CAN I GIVE YOU SOME FEEDBACK? FEEDBACK After shows and classes, some people want honest and direct feedback. Some people want the “COMPLIMENT SANDWICH” to soften the truth with two fluffy white slices of praise, and the meat of the matter in the middle. “THAT WAS FUN, not vulnerable but, Read more…
APPLIED IMPROVISATION – PART 2/3 APPLYING IMPROVISATION How do you APPLY, APPLIED IMPROVISATION Applied improvisation is everywhere! Last month in part one of the series “An introduction to Applied Improvisation” it was obvious that applied improvisation was involved with every aspect of work and leisure and in every corner of Read more…
TIPS AND TRICKS EMOTIONAL BODYPARTS Emotional Bodyparts Characters can drive stories. Sometimes the characters become the stories and carry the performer into places they hadn’t expected. When the mind follows the body, there’s always an interesting destination. Instant creation of engaging characters is here at the tips of your explosive Read more…
APPLIED IMPROVISATION – PART 1/3 What is it APPLIED IMPROVISATION IS… everything we do on stage, off stage Wikipedia defines Applied improvisation well. “Applied improvisation is the application of improvisational theatrical methods in various non-theatrical fields…” –WIKIPEDIA Because Improvisation has an impact on everything that people do, applied improvisation has Read more…
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION! EXPLORING AND DISCUSSING YOUR QUESTIONS RESPECT THE AUDIENCE “Is there a volunteer from the audience who would like to join us on stage?” This phrase can send a wave of fear through the audience. It’s not because they don’t want to help you out. It’s because audience Read more…
AH-SO-KA!!! The Game of distraction and Focus I discovered this game from students when I was in teaching in Tokyo. I’m not sure where it actually came from or who created it. Whoever it was… they were cruel! (Let me know if it was you!) It’s a crazy little game. Read more…
Narrative Avalanche: Surprising Beginnings SURPRISE BEGINNINGS “WHY DID YOU CREATE ME?” That was my first line on stage to my partner at the show on Saturday at the Loose Moose Theatre. My partner’s eyes popped open. He wasn’t “expecting” that offer. Isn’t that how improvisation should be? A little surprising? Read more…
RED or BLUE or Decisions and Details The Game Lately I’ve noticed MANY improvisers getting stuck at the point when decisions should happen. AND those who can make decisions rarely know what to do with their choice. SO… I’m taking an old game (well a year-old game called LEFT OR Read more…
TIME FLASH The Game This is a simple technique used on stages around the world. Sometimes, it is used as a gimmick to mess with performers but SOMETIMES… it’s used with good intention – to address an ongoing problem with ACTION vs DISCUSSION! ((SHOW- DON’T TELL)). GAME: TIME FLASH ORIGIN: ShawnBENEFITS: Awareness of Read more…
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION! EXPLORING AND DISCUSSING YOUR QUESTIONS In last month’s newsletter (DECEMBER 2023) I wrote one suggestion that some people should quit improvising if it doesn’t make them happy. As I suspected, a couple of you wrote to me demanding a refund for all the workshops I gave to Read more…