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 Brave Skill of Defining A GIFT FOR YOUR PARTNER Defining unseen details in a scene is a gift to your partner. Seeing the poster on the wall or the footsteps of the Giant gives the scene direction. Ignoring the details removes possibilities for adventure and exploration. While other performers 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
SUPER DEFINITION There’s a little-known tool that I think is one of the best for creating fantastical, surreal, supernatural but obvious stories. The concept is called SUPER DEFINITION. I heard Keith Johnstone mention this idea ONCE in ONE class many years ago. (ONE TIME IN FORTY YEARS!) I don’t know anyone outside of that class who Read more
TIPS AND TRICKS The Back Door THE SECRET BACK DOOR! WARNING!!!! ACTHUNG!!!! ADVARSEL!!!!! CAUTION!!!!! ATENCIÓN Easy Tips and simple Tricks can be dangerous for improvisers… They are no replacement for good technique and risk taking. Use these little tricks ONLY WHEN THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY, MIND-BENDINGLY NECESSARY. Seriously. Go on, get Read more
BRILLIANT IDEAS ARE OBVIOUS… …or is that the other way around? The Hidden Magic of LATENT Ideas Latent ideas are described in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as “…a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop.” Neither Miriam nor Webster tells us WHY this “power” or Read more