Improv tips

Today on Advice To The Players, some handy tips for those times when you are doing Improv. Improv, or improvisation is a great activity for an actor, often it is a show in itself, but also lets us play, explore and keep the brain fertile for those times onstage when things go wrong and we HAVE to Improv .


So let us say you are working on a show, or have decided to take an Improv class, or at a regular theater class you are doing some Improv games. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Stay Open To The Work- Take the suggestion or offers given by another player and run with it. Don't cut the energy off, instead use it and pass it on. If a person pretends to splash water on you, act like you got splashed and try to add more to the scene to see where it will go.  
2. Don't Take All the Stage- It is working on Improv scenes, let others have their moments to shine, don't always hog the spotlight. Support and help!
3. Be Outrageously Bad- Take risks, this is playtime, be bold and crazy as you can be. You are putting yourself out there, embrace the jump!
4. Get Physical- This is about using your whole body. you are not confined to a character, so play with being bigger and broader than you usually are.
5. Practice- Improv is a ton of unplanned fun, and spontaneous. That said, the more you do it, the easier it will become for you to do.

Oh and be sure and not take it all too seriously. The idea is to gow and have fun, and even if the Improv scene turns very dramatic and leads to tears, relax and shrug it off when done. learn and grow, don't scar yourself for life!

J.T. Turner
The Actors Sensei