Ten Rules of Improv

What is the first rule of Improv?

• Punch your buddy in the face. Repeatedly.

• Support your cast.

• Say, "Yes and..."

• Say, "No but"

Answer explanation

Say, "Yes and..."

Like in music, specifically Jazz you'll have someone playing the lead. The supporting musicians help them by making music that supports what they are playing.

In Improv, we support what the person has said and then we add to it. Making the scene better.

So Yes And has us add new information.

Why is #2, "Add new information?"

• A. An improvised scene can’t move forward or advance unless we add new information.

• B. Saying “Yes and” does not mean there will not be conflict or that we would accept something our character would not accept.

• C. You can say No if your character would say no. You still add information this way though.

• D. All of These!

Answer explanation

Yes! All of these are correct. Adding new information moves the scene forward and gives your partner something to work with. Conflict in a scene comes from your understanding. Yes isn't about saying yes, but accepting the situation and working with it.

What shouldn't you block in Improv?

• A. Your partner!

• B. The new information!

• Somebody slapping you.

• A & B.

Answer explanation

Don't block the information!

Don't block your partner!

Totally block if someone goes to hit you. Don't put up with that kind of stuff. You are valuable.

UNLESS you planned for that in your skit. Then please do a stage hit.

We'll cover that a different day!

Why should you avoid questions in Improv?

• A. Questions force our partners to fill in the information or do the work.

•  B. Questions allow us to avoid committing to a choice or a detail.

• C. Questions slow down the scene. Because of A & B.

• D. All of These!

Answer explanation

Questions slow things down, but this doesn't mean all questions are bad.

Questions can be great in scene. But they need to add information. Like in the alphabet game every question should add information to the scene. This is what makes that type of skit hard.

What kinds of things can you do in improv to "Focus on the Here and Now"?

• Dream up a future where you can sleep in everyday.

• Tell your partner, "I'm meditating for focus!"

• Ground yourself using sounds and textures around you to stay in the moment.

• Focus on what is being said and done right now. Progress in improv depends on response rather than reaction.

Answer explanation

Response is when you say something that is thought driven. Reaction is simply doing the next thing. Improv is fast, but relies on response. And if you are thinking of the here and now, you'll respond in the here and now.

*Grounding is actually a way of staying focused in the scene, if you struggle with anxiety. (Ask Mr. Garrett about that.)

What does "Establish(ing) the Location" do?

• A. Adds information to the scene!

• B. Tells the audience where you are.

• C. Sets up expectations for both partner and audience.

• D. All of These.

Answer explanation

By establishing the location you create familiarity between you and your partner. But also you and the audience. This has a lot of power in helping everyone envision what is happening.

Why does Mr. Garrett hate the detail in an improv prompt of "Someone..."?

• Because it is not specific.

• Because it is not specific.

• Because it is not specific.

• Because it is not specific.

Answer explanation

Nothing kills a scene faster than trying to be vague. Being specific is what makes the scene really pop.

You are eating someone's leg? Talk about how you really like the meat under the knee of the HEART SURGEON!

You are nervous about talking to someone? Show us nervous gestures that relate to telling your BOYFRIEND you are breaking up with them.

Get specific!

Why is "Change, Change, Change" vital to any improv skit?

• A. Because without change there cannot be conflict.

• B. Because without change there cannot be humor.

• C. Because without change there cannot be emotional responses.

• D. All of these!

Answer explanation

If you consider comedy you are always going to have two elements at play.

1. Set up the scene. Or make it familiar.

2. Twist, Change, or subverting expectations.

The twist is the change. Without change there isn't a conflict, a laugh, or a sigh.

Is all improv funny?

• Yes.

• No.

• Is this a trick question?

• I just want to answer randomly for the purpose of answering randomly.

Answer explanation

No, not all improv is funny. Some of it is quite serious. But in all scenes we have to really focus on characters and relationships.

When we are being serious in improv, the focus on the relationships and characters is what makes it real to us. This brings familiarity. It can make real emotions happen.

How do you make scenes funnier?

• Commit and take choices to the nth degree or focus on actions/objects.

• Add Gatorade. For that deep down body...

  THIRST!

• Mr. Garrett is silly.

• Refuse choices and break everything on stage. Ruin is the answer.

Answer explanation

Kick your ideas up a notch!

A scene is funny when the mailman runs from the dog. But it is victorious when the mailman bites the dog.

You'll still laugh, but notice how that makes the scene better? The focus on the biting action was the idea subverted.

Take things to the nth level. You'll have more fun that way too.