Improvisation
At our performances, when not doing previously prepared sketches, we like
to do some improvisational scenes. Here are a couple improvisational
scenes that we have done for an actual show.
The Bucket Scene
Three players are onstage along with a bucket full of water.
Players one and two start a scene, and player three sticks his head in the
bucket of water. When player three starts to run out of air, he raises his
hand. When he raises his hand, player one must jusitfy an exit to the
scene, and relieve player three by tapping his hand. Player one then
submerges his head, and player 2 now starts a new scene, in which player
three must justify his wet head.
The cycle repeats until it ceases to be funny, or someone drowns, whichever
comes first.
The Bean Skit
There are three players onstage. Player one stands stirring an imaginary
pot of beans. The dialogue is as follows:
1: What's in the pot?
2: Beans, want some?
1: Sure (player one mimes giving him a spoonful) Mmmmm. (player one then
dies)
2: Is there a doctor in the house?
3: I'm a doctor! (Inspects player 1) This man is dead.
The skit is repeated with the same dialogue, but with suggestions from the
audience on how the scene should be played. For example, if the audience
suggested Shakespeare, the first line might sound something like: "I
beseech thou doth tellest me what doth lie in yonder pot."
Some suggestions we've had: blind, with touret's syndrome, barn animals,
stoned, slow-mo., ballet, super fast, like a 6 year old, like a member of
the opposite sex, opera, mohawk valley, etc.
These links are great resources for many different kinds of games. Each
has different forms of improv. They all give examples that can be used in
front of an audience, to warmup, or to be used as a teaching tool.
The Living Playbook is
the most organized of the three, indexed a couple different ways.
Hugh's List
of Improv Handles has the most comprehensive description of each game.
Fuzzy's
Improv List concentrates on quantity more than quality, but is willing
to post an explanation if you request one.
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