ideas thoughts and concepts
CAN I GIVE YOU SOME FEEDBACK? FEEDBACK After shows and classes, some people want honest and direct feedback. Some people want the “COMPLIMENT SANDWICH” to soften the truth with two fluffy white slices of praise, and the meat of the matter in the middle. “THAT WAS FUN, not vulnerable but, Read more
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION! EXPLORING AND DISCUSSING YOUR QUESTIONS RESPECT THE AUDIENCE “Is there a volunteer from the audience who would like to join us on stage?” This phrase can send a wave of fear through the audience. It’s not because they don’t want to help you out. It’s because audience Read more
WEE WISDOMS 4 wOrdS or comUnikashun hi my nam iz JONAH i been on Erth 1 yare. haPPEE burfday to me! improovisers talk to much. pEEples talk to much and thay dosnt say much that I understand. and thay dosnt seem to say much that each uther is unnerstanding. I 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
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 NO FEAR! NO FEAR FEAR is the main issue for Improvisers to overcome. Fear of being accepted, Fear of being noticed, not noticed, doing well, following the rules, being good enough… etc etc etc. EVERYONE has fear on some level. The question is how to deal with 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
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
WEE WISDOMS – 3 CHANGE! hi 6 munths on the planet – wooooooo i am older than i wuz when i last wrot to U. it alwayz stay the same that i keep changing. deep. Dad sumtimes keeps doing the same thing wen he tries making me laff. same cwazy Read more