🎭 The Art of Improv 🎭

What is Improv?

Improv—short for improvisation—is a form of live theater in which all aspects of the performance, including the dialogue, plot, and characters, are made up on the spot.

Improv will help you to develop skills such as quick thinking, teamwork, and public speaking.

Two improvisers acting out a scene on stage

There are rules you must live by:

  1. Agree

    If your partner comes on stage and says "I can't believe mother just left us here!" and you say "I've never seen you before in my life." Then your partner has no scene to build on, but if you were to respond with "Yes! Mother is always forgetting us at pilates!" then you have just started a scene about your forgetful mother.

  2. Yes, and

    Don't just agree, add something of your own! If your partner starts a scene with "I'm so bored." Don't just say yes.

  3. Don't Ask Questions

    Make statements. If you continuously ask questions, you are puttng all of the pressure on your partner to carry the scene.

  4. Don't get married to an idea

    If you come on stage as what you think is so clearly an astronaut, but your partner thinks you're a dinosaur, your just agree! There are no mistakes.

  5. Tell a Story and have fun!

Short Form vs. Long Form

Short Form: A form of improv reliant on games with predetermined rules. Games can last anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes.
Some favorite short form games include: Blind Lines, New Choice, and Story Story Die

Long Form: Any structure that incorporates two or more scenes into one performance derived from a single suggestion.
Some favorite long form games include: Funeral, Monologue, and La Ronde

Four improvisers on stage

Now you're ready to get started, click below for a prompt!

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