games and lessons
AND NOW! The Game I’ve been thinking about a game that moves stories forward while training improvisers to accept, explore or alter ideas even when they don’t initially see merit in their partner’s offers. In Keith Johnstone’s “WHAT COMES NEXT?” – (one of the best impro exercises devised) a performer asks Read more…
THE KING GAME The Secret to Comedy Keith Johnstone introduces this game to his students long before I met him. He used it to teach status and “being obvious”. Over the years as I played and taught it, I noticed that it offered so much more and I emphasized other Read more…
PANTS ON FIRE! The Format A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE FORMAT Before we get into HOW TO PLAY PANTS ON FIRE, here’s the story of how one format inspired two others and PANTS ON FIRE was born. If you aren’t interested in this exciting and adrenaline pumping story, skip down Read more…
TIPS AND TRICKS UNFROZEN UNFROZEN! Deborah from Vancouver sent me a note after our workshop. She asked: Where to find ideas to help the story. All of a sudden I’m up there and I forget what I do in the kitchen or in the car or at school! Help and Read more…
I’M NOT LEAVING! The Game This game is more of a tool to incorporate into a scene rather than a structural game. And it’s fun to play. Have you heard of the phrase “Torment The Hero”? This is a concept Keith Johnstone used to describe the task of frustrating the Read more…
What are the best ways to play THE QUESTIONS GAME? We have TWO games here. TWO?!?! BUT I ONLY PAID FOR ONE!!!THIS IS TWICE AS MUCH AS WHAT I”D HOPED FOR!! I hope it’s not too confusing that I am presenting them simultaneously. THE QUESTIONS GAME is coloured RED. THE 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…
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…
LET’S BEGIN Starting Points Most people get stuck starting scenes in the same way, over and over. Here are some alternate ways to begin… Reach out Your hands know where they are before your brain sorts it out Take a Walk Let your legs lead you to the place you Read more…