Making the Most of Improv Acting and Theatre Games
Improvisational acting is also known as improv acting, or simply “improv”. It is a form of theatre in which most or all of what is performed on stage is created spontaneously by the performers, without a script.
The performers make up the dialogue, characters, and story lines as they go, often based on suggestions from the audience or other performers.
Improv actors are unquestionably skilled in the arts of listening, collaboration, and spontaneity. This allows them to react quickly to their fellow performers and adapt to unexpected situations.
They must also be creative and imaginative, as they are essentially creating a story in real time.
The art form can be comedic or dramatic, and is therefore versatile enough to perform in a range of settings, including comedy clubs, theatres, and even corporate events.
Improv has been around for a while
Improvisational acting has been around in various forms for centuries, but it was only popularized as a theatrical form in the 20th century.
The modern form of improv was developed by a group of performers in Chicago in the 1950s. They founded The Second City, a comedy club and school of improvisation.
The Second City was co-founded by Paul Sills, who is often credited with being one of the pioneers of modern improv.
Sills was heavily influenced by his mother Viola Spolin, who created a series of improvisational games and exercises specifically designed to help actors improve their skills and create original scenes.
Sills and his colleagues at The Second City expanded on Spolin’s work, developing a set of improvisational techniques and games that are still used today.
Improv has since become a popular form of comedy and theatre, with improv groups and schools all over the world.
How To Perform At Improv Acting
Improvisational acting can be a fun and rewarding experience, although it does require some basic skills and techniques. Here are some tips for getting started with improv acting:
1. Be present:
Improv requires you to be fully present in the moment, so try to let go of any distractions or preconceptions and focus on what’s happening right now.
2. Listen and respond:
Improv is all about collaboration, so listen carefully to your fellow performers and respond to what they say or do.
3. Say “yes, and…”:
One of the fundamental principles of improv is the concept of “yes, and…”, which means accepting what your fellow performers say or do, before adding to it.
This helps to keep the scene moving forward and encourages creativity.
4. Establish a clear relationship:
In order to create a compelling scene, it is important to establish a clear relationship between the characters.
This is usually done through dialogue or physical actions.
5. Use physicality and emotion:
Physicality and emotion are powerful tools in improv, so don’t be afraid to use your body and facial expressions to convey your character’s emotions and reactions.
6. Practice, practice, practice:
Like any skill, improv takes practice to master. Look for local improv classes or groups to join, or simply practice with friends or colleagues.
The most important things in improv are to have fun and be willing to take risks.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because they can often lead to some of the most interesting and unexpected moments in a scene.
Some example of Improv Theatre Games
Theatre games are fun and creative exercises designed to help actors develop their skills and build their confidence.
Here are some examples of theatre games:
1. “Zip, Zap, Zop”:
In this game, players stand in a circle and take turns saying “zip,” “zap,” or “zop” while passing an imaginary energy ball to each other.
The ball is passed in any direction, and the game continues until someone makes a mistake.
2. “Yes, and…”:
This game involves two players who take turns making statements, each starting with “yes, and…” on condition that they build on the previous statement.
The goal is to create a story or scene that evolves and grows as the players continue to add new information.
3. “Mirror”:
In this game, two players stand facing each other and mirror each other’s movements.
One player takes the lead, while the other player follows and tries to match their movements exactly.
4. “Park Bench”:
The game involves two players who sit on a bench, acting out a scene without using any dialogue.
This requires the players to convey their thoughts and emotions through their actions and expressions alone.
5. “Props”:
In this game, players are given a random object and must come up with creative ways to use it in a scene.
The object can be anything from a hat to a rubber chicken.
6. “Character Switch”:
In this game, two players each choose a character and act out a scene.
At some point, the players switch characters and continue the scene with their new character.
These are just a few examples of the many theatre games that actors can use to develop their skills while having fun at the same time.
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Steven Fernandez
Steven Fernandez is an actor's coach and theater games host here in Sydney, Australia. He offers introductory workshops for both beginners and advanced level students.
