Timing is… every…th..ing tick tock… tick tock… tick tock “It’s always about timing. If it’s too soon, no one understands. If it’s too late, everyone’s forgotten.” Anna Wintour “The right thing at the wrong tme is the wrong thing.” Joshua Harris TIMING TO CONSIDER Let’s look at timing in a Read more
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 Finding Opportunities APPLYING IMPROVISATION How do you find the Work Applied improvisation is everywhere! Last month in part one of the series “An Introduction to Applied Improvisation,” we saw how applied improvisation was involved with every aspect of work and leisure and in every corner 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