1. Improvisation

2. What is Improvisation? Acting without a script
Improvisation isn’t just “making it up as you go along.” There is freedom, but within structured guidelines.

3. IMPROV EVERYWHERE

4. Improvisation Guidelines
You Need a Plot (beginning/middle/end)!
You can plan your basic plot before you begin.

5. Improvisation Guidelines
Before you begin, you should know:
who you are (and how you will portray that character to the audience)
what you want
what your relationship is to the other character(s)

6. Improvisation Guidelines
Stay in character
“Breaking character” occurs when you do or say something that is inconsistent with the role you are creating.
Concentrate fully to avoid laughing at yourself or others in your scene, which is one of the most common causes of breaking character.
Make sure your character’s physical and vocal characteristics remain consistent throughout your scene.

7. Improvisation Guidelines
It’s all about “Give and Take”
It doesn’t matter who goes first.
All actors must participate in the dialogue.
Be careful not to dominate the scene by doing all of the talking.
You also need to be careful not to be too quiet (your partner needs you to work with them)!

8. Improvisation Guidelines
Listen Carefully!
Listen carefully to what is being said and respond appropriately.
Do not plan ahead what you are going to say or do.
When you really listen to your scene partner(s), you will be surprised how easy it is to think of something to say in response.

9. Improvisation Guidelines
Keep the dialogue moving
Long periods of silence, unless filled with action, are boring to the audience.

10. Improvisation Guidelines
Avoid “scene killer” words or phrases.
Responses such as “No,” “OK” and “So?” stop the dialogue.
These phrases make it difficult for the other players in the scene to continue the conversation or action.
Try to give others in your scene something to build upon or even better, something that moves your scene along.

11. Improvisation Guidelines
Avoid yes-or-no answer questions.
If you must ask questions, it is much better to ask open-ended questions that require explanations, not just one-word answers.
“Why are you wearing my hat?” is better than “Are you wearing my hat?” It gives other players an easy opening into the conversation.

12. Improvisation Guidelines
ACCEPT ALL OFFERS.
Avoid negating something that your scene partner(s) have established with responses like, “That’s not right,” or “No, it’s not.”
These responses make it difficult to do much more than argue.
Arguments are only interesting when they change somehow, not when they just go back and forth.

13. Improvisation Guidelines
BEGIN WITH CONFIDENCE!

14. Are you ready to try it?
CROW
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