TIPS AND TRICKS “NOTHING” is an Offer “NOTHING” is an Offer What’s an offer? The Improviser says, “Dr. Those pills you prescribed made me feel so much better!” The offers are: the speaker is the patient, you are the Doctor, the patient has visited this Doctor before and the Read more…
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…
TIPS AND TRICKS PUSH-BACK – PLEASE! PUSH-BACK – PLEASE! I have to be honest and tell you that I’ve had a difficult time writing this post. It’s not that there’s anything controversial or in any way emotional about it. It’s just that there are a lot of moving parts to 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…
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…
TIPS AND TRICKS EMOTIONAL BODYPARTS Emotional Bodyparts Characters can drive stories. Sometimes the characters become the stories and carry the performer into places they hadn’t expected. When the mind follows the body, there’s always an interesting destination. Instant creation of engaging characters is here at the tips of your explosive 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…
RED or BLUE or Decisions and Details The Game Lately I’ve noticed MANY improvisers getting stuck at the point when decisions should happen. AND those who can make decisions rarely know what to do with their choice. SO… I’m taking an old game (well a year-old game called LEFT OR Read more…
LET’S BEGIN Starting Points Most people get stuck starting scenes in the same way, over and over. Here are some alternate ways to begin… Reach out Your hands know where they are before your brain sorts it out Take a Walk Let your legs lead you to the place you Read more…
TIPS AND TRICKS START -in the middle START – in the middle “…and that’s how I defeated the dragon and fell in love with your mother. Goodnight Jonah.” Starting a scene with the middle or end of a conversation can be a fun gift for your partner. It’s not typical Read more…