games and lessons
CONSEQUENCES! The Game All that we do has consequences… except when we improvise poorly. In real life someone enters a room and there’s a shift in body positions as people check to see who has arrived. People normally adjust their attitude based on the relationship. On stage, we don’t do Read more…
Tension Roulette The Game of tension In an exploration of games to teach tension and suspense, I thought back to movies that had great moments of tension. The movie that came to mind was one that I saw in an old artsy movie theatre in Montreal called THE DEER HUNTER. The Read more…
HITCHCOCK SUSPENSE! . Alfred Hitchcock points out that if a bomb unexpectantly explodes after five minutes of boring conversation, we have a shocking SURPRISE after the boredom. If the characters know that a bomb exploded at a nearby cafe yesterday and there MIGHT be another bomb in the city, then Read more…
PREDICT IT! PREDICTIVE RESPONSES There’s nothing magical about expertly knowing the outcome of actions on stage… but it sure looks like it from the audience point of view. Let me explain: Paul is chopping food in the Kitchen. Anna walks in and says what most improvisers say, “Oh, you are Read more…
CAN’T TOUCH THIS! A Warmup Game The 2023 Impro school was playing a game that focussed on creating games. This game came about from a desire to develop a quick and physical and interactive warm up exercise. It’s simple. It made us laugh and woke us up on one of Read more…
TWO TABLES Game and skill practice Years ago when I watched long form after long form I found myself annoyed with the abrupt “cuts” and “edits” between scenes. I wasn’t drawn to longform style but I developed some alternatives regardless. I wanted transition that were more cinematic, and less aggressive. Read more…
Talk to the Animals DAY TO DAY IMPROVISATION is a collection of exercises anyone can do almost anywhere to practice their improvisation skills every day. Anyone with strong connections to non-human animals understands that communication with their furry, feathered, or finned friend is sometimes subtle but something that is certainly Read more…
EMOTIONAL SNAPSHOT The Game Keith Johnstone observed that boring scenes have something in common. NOBODY IS ALTERED. His hint was “Have an emotional reaction ” and justify it later.” We think “SOMETHING IS HAPPENING!!” when emotions change. Remember the last time you were in a restaurant or crowded train and Read more…
TIPS AND TRICKS – OPEN BOOK – WARNING!!!! ACTHUNG!!!! ADVARSEL!!!!! CAUTION!!!!! ATENCIÓN USE QUICK TIPS WITH CARE!Easy Tricks are no replacement for good technique and risk taking. Use these little tricks ONLY WHEN THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY, MIND-BENDINGLY NECESSARY. Whatever… You won’t listen t me anyway. BUT DON’T COME CRYING TO Read more…
OPEN BOOK ENDOWMENT The Game I needed a little trick to help students develop character and this game evolved from that. This is an “endowment” type of game where information is known by everyone except one performer. GAME: OPEN BOOK ENDOWMENT ORIGIN: Shawn Kinley BENEFITS: Partner awareness, communicating ideas, commitment to objectives, Read more…