How to Improv Rules to Follow Improvisation No. 23 By Wassily Kandinsky

Definition Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or new ways to act.

#1 Accept Information using the “yes”, “and” technique When you get a piece of information from another actor, first, accept it as fact (yes) and second, add a little bit more information to the scene (and) Example: –Actor 1 : That’s a lovely hula skirt. –Actor 2 : Why thank you! (yes) I made it myself right here at the craft fair (and) This allows the scene to go somewhere

#2 Be Specific If you're going to say "nice car!” why not say “nice 1982 station wagon”. If the owner of the station wagon is an 18 year old guy, then suddenly the scene is interesting and fun. For example notice how the meaning of this scene would change: –“ah! Put down that animal” –“ah! Put down that rabid baby fox before he bites your hand off!”

#3 Don’t Deny Denial is trashing what somebody else has set up or is trying to set up. There are many forms: 1.Mime denial 2.Character denial 3.Location denial

Mime Denial An actor spends five minutes miming setting the dining room table, another character walks into the scene and walks right through it. This will make the audience feel strange about what they’ve seen. And it will also ruin the scene.

Character Denial Not letting the other person be what she wants to be. Example: –Actor 1: You’re just jealous because I’m better looking. –Actor 2: No, I’m better looking.

Location Denial Contradicting setting information someone else established. Example –Actor 1: Look out the window! –Actor 2: What are you talking about? There are no windows in here!

#4 Enter and Exit with a Purpose When you enter or exit from a scene your character should have a reason for doing so. Don't just say "OK, bye" and walk out of a scene. Give a reason. Also, don’t just enter the scene and stand there. Enter with something to do or say. Example: enter whistling a familiar song, or enter like you’re looking for something that you lost. This gives the second actor something to go on.

#5 Don’t Force Humor Never try to be funny or tell jokes because chances are, you won’t be able to create a realistic scene Humor should naturally arise out of tight relationships and simple plots

#6 Keep the Focus Human and On Stage Be careful not to stare too long at objects that are invisible or off stage or not human. Remember, the audience is interested in a human reaction not an invisible object

#7 Keep Actions and Words Clean Do not do or say something inappropriate because you think it will get a laugh. This will stop the improvisation and make the actor look inexperienced and uncreative.

It takes a lot of practice to feel comfortable with improvisation. It can be a difficult skill to master. When all else fails, make a physical choice. An idea will always arise from a physical choice.