Rules of Improvisation

Rules of Improvisation

By Cathleen Bartels

Improvisational Theatre

• Improvisational theatre, also known simply as improv, is a form of live theater in which all aspects of the performance, including the dialogue, plot, and characters, are made up on the spot. Often, improv is funny. But comedic acting isn’t necessarily improv.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Improv is a type of acting which is made up on the spot.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

If a scene begins with "Hey! Look at me! I'm flying!" what is the best response according to the rules of Improv?

• Uh, no you're not.

• Not really.

• Yes, and...

• Nothing about you tells me you are flying.

Multiple Choice

You need to respond with "Yes, and...."

• True, because it continues the scene

• False, because it stops the scene

Open Ended

Don't try to be better than those in your group, because you need to work....

Multiple Choice

Acting is NOT a lot like a team sport.

• True

• False

Open Ended

Don't waffle - one single actor cannot be talking to the audience for a long time because...

Open Ended

When in doubt about where to take the scene, do something....

Draw

Draw a picture of what the performance of your scene will look like at the end...