games and lessons
LEFT or RIGHT GAME: LEFT or RIGHT – A Game of Choices Delaying your decisions is the death of spontaneity. Hesitation comes from a fearful brain trying to avoid failure. In our lives, we are confronted by countless lessons that our poor choices will lead to punishment. Our process slows Read more…
TIPS AND TRICKS What’s the Point? WHAT’S THE POINT??? Let’s be honest. Our brain doesn’t always fire on all cylinders. There are times you simply don’t have the… uh… words to create the details or the inspiration to kick the scene into a healthier place. Here’s a tip that makes Read more…
TRICK or TREAT Halloween traditions see young ghosts and goblins going from door to door begging for treats in North America. They yell “TRICK OR TREAT!!!” at the door expecting their sugar and chocolate payment. You can support their greedy little objectives with a tasty treat. Deny them their wish and Read more…
Moral Kryptonite Superman, with that super strength, vision, speed, and ability to fly would become super boring if we knew he had absolutely no weakness. Kryptonite saps the Man of Steel’s super powers to the point he can be broken by a gust of wind. Imagine bringing out that bar Read more…
BABY LIFE! & the GOD COMPLEX! DAY TO DAY IMPROVISATION is a collection of exercises anyone can do almost anywhere to practice their improvisation skills every day. Your brain makes decisions at the remarkable speed of just 40 milliseconds. Putting that into perspective, imagine being able to judge whether someone Read more…
MAKE ME BAD! VILLAIN ENDOWMENT Some of us love to be the villain in a scene. For a brief vengeful moment, we reign down lightening bolts on a world that takes our parking spot or eats the last french fry on the plate!!!! At least for dramatic purposes, that spiteful Read more…
MAFIOSO * SPLAT * BANG *GUNSLINGER* It’s HIGH NOON and you stand challenged by some dangerous varmints. Who’s with you and who’s against ya? With barely any warning, weapons are drawn! Do you shoot or hide? REACT!!! or it’s game over pardner! This is a long article with a lot Read more…
WHISPERING ANGELS & DEMONS INTRO: Whispering Angels and Demons Years ago at the great Wuerzburg Improvisation festival in Germany, I was asked to do a warmup exercise for about 200 improvisers. Warm up exercises should serve a purpose. Since most people had never met before, an exercise to help people Read more…
LOOK AWAY! DAY TO DAY IMPROVISATION is a collection of exercises anyone can do almost anywhere to practice their improvisation skills every day. Improvisers often miss the obvious. A common note after the show revolves around the fact that everyone in the audience saw the offer that the improviser ignored. Read more…
STAGE DIRECTIONS He said / She said The misconception that improvisation should always be effortless leads many people to avoid useful exercises that might take some effort to learn. “He said / She said” or “Stage Directions” is one of those exceptional games that benefit improvisers who play the game Read more…