ideas thoughts and concepts
REINCORPORATION & PLAUSIBILITY A key concept in ending the story “Yea, I shall return with the tide.” ― Khalil Gibran Instinctively we know that all things are circular. We start somewhere in some emotional state. We journey away, but something in us pulls us back to that beginning idea or image. Read more…
NOTHING TO LOSE REHEARSING MORE EFFECTIVELY – AND JOYFULY You sit on the edge. You look down. What do you do? Your real-world brain screams, “STEP BACK!!!”. The Improviser brain pushes you headfirst into the abyss. On the way down you question what to do. You hear the audience scream. Read more…
TREAT THEM LIKE CATS THE UNTEACHABLE STUDENTAs a teacher, I’ve always been interested in the “UNTEACHABLE” student. In schools where the staff say a child is impossible, or a boss in a corporate workshop says the employee is difficult, I want to meet those students. Cats are considered by many Read more…
END AGAIN An Exercise to Practice Possibilities Ending your story CAN be easy. The first thing you have to do is stop trying to make it great. Pressure to make a great ending will stop you from seeing obvious endings. It will make you hesitant so that even if you Read more…
Treat them like GORILLAS! One exceptional difference between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom is how much we hide and mask of ourselves compared to these other earthlings. By 9 months, we have already learned to ‘present’ our emotions in a way to manipulate others. By Adulthood, we’ve Read more…
IT’S ALL GIBBERISH TO ME “A different language is a different vision of life.” – Federico Fellini GIBBERISH – also known as Gromolo in parts of Europe, is hated by some, feared by others. It’s loved by those who do it well and it’s done poorly by many. GIBBERISH is Read more…
The Forgotten Gems of CHAPTER 6! One of the most referenced books in Improvisation is IMPRO FOR STORYTELLERS by Keith Johnstone. MOST people you talk with say, “I’ve never read the thing all the way through.” Keith intended it to be that way. He’s said that it was made to Read more…
SET IT UP! How do you teach a game in class, or set up a show or scene in front of an audience successfully? Are you connecting or confusing your audience? An effective beginning to the show or exercise can make all the difference. Here are some tips and tricks Read more…
EVERYTHING IN ONE MOMENT “The Dragon flew with fierce intent towards the castle on Mount Lyre” You read that line and you’re pretty certain of what kind of story you are getting into. You have a fairly clear image in your head. You see the clouds in the sky. You Read more…
IMPROVISE WHAT YOU EAT U R What U EAT It may surprise you that the food you ingest an hour before the show can make you calmer, quicker, crazier or smarter. Eating specific food alters attitudes. If you know what mood you need to adjust, just eat your way to Read more…