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…
INSTANTLY, A BETTER IMPROVISER Simple tactics to improve your performance SIMPLE STUFF Improvisers constantly forget the reality of stage craft. Caught up in our world of make-believe, it’s easy to ignore audience sight lines. (If you can’t see them, they probably can’t see you) We whisper intimately but forget that Read more…
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…
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…
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…
ON WITH THE SHOW!!! SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 – 7PM IMPROVISATION SCHOOL IMPROVISER BENEFIT SHOW Kash, (India/USA) – Paul, (Canada) – Cindy, (Holland) – Anna, (China) – and Oshow, (Japan), Special guests from the KINKONAUTS (Calgary) and BULL SKIT (Red Deer) in support of the UN UKRAINIAN FUND. You pay 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…
COLLAPSING WALLS THE GAME During a class in Germany, I noticed an improviser consistently avoiding interaction with her partners. She told me she had been given that note before, but was uncertain how to address the issue. This often ignored, but common improvisation problem can damage scenes especially when it Read more…
KEITH SAYS… Here are some favourite quotes, a few notes and a paraphrase or two from Keith’s students, friends, and the internet. Enjoy The source and type of reference are cited. If I’m missing one of your favourite Keith quotes, let me know and we’ll include it. If any here Read more…