Quick Improv Games: Genre Replay/Scene Three Ways

Do you ever see your life through the lens of a movie? What kind of movie would it be? Romantic comedy? Silent film? Horror? (I hope not!)

In today's Quick Improv Game, you get to embody several genres in the scene you perform. How, you ask? It's quite simple! Just play this fun game known by many names: Genre Replay, aka Scene Three Ways!

Start your scene like it's any normal improv scene with one or two others. You can ask for whatever you like from the audience--relationship, conflict, location, the usual. Perform a short scene for them. But you have to remember each step you take in this scene!

When you're done, take a short bow. But then say to the audience, "How would you like to see that scene done differently? What genre should that scene be in now?" Get a genre suggestion from the audience, and redo that exact same scene as if it were from a movie in that genre! Don't be afraid to change lines, aspects of your character, and certain steps from your escalating tactics. As long as it's a similar scene in essence, have fun with it!

Finish up your new version amid laughter and applause. But ask for yet another genre this time! If you can, make it as different a genre as possible from the previous scene, just to keep things interesting. Again, don't be afraid to play with your givens this round! Wrap it up in a vaguely similar way and enjoy the raucous applause.

What are some genres that you can expect from the audience? Well, don't expect them to stay limited to movie genres! There's...

-Action
-Three Stooges
-Shakespeare (harder than you'd think!)
-Musical (also hard, but worth it if you can stumble your way through!)
-Cooking Show
-After School Special
-Anime
-Soap Opera
-Music Video

And many more! And don't be afraid to try a genre that you aren't too familiar with. Sometimes you get the best scenes that way!

Have you played this game? What were some of your favorite genres? How did you adapt your scene?

Happy New Year!

Hello to our lovely fans and followers! We hope you had a lovely holiday. Ippy went a little overboard on the fruitcake this year, but otherwise we all had a joyful season.

We here at Improv Playhouse want to take this opportunity to thank you for being involved with us this year. Whether you took a class, performed in a show, taught a class, or marched in the Libertyville parade, you have been an important part of our team this year. Your continued engagement with Improv Playhouse has meant so much to us. Truly, 2011 would not have been the success that it was without the input of each camper, performer, student, director, and staff member.

Thank you for joining us, and we hope you'll be part of our team in 2012. There are many ways of getting involved - all you have to do is ask! Thanks for reading, and stay tuned next year for more fun theater tips, tricks, and insider info from Three-Wall Room!

-Allie and the IP staff

PS - Have an idea of what you'd like to see at Improv Playhouse in 2012? Leave us a comment below!

Improv Playhouse wants to thank veterans - through stand-up!

Hello, our assuredly attractive readers!

Veterans Day is a wonderful way to honor those who have served. No matter the kind of duty, these brave men and women have done some amazing things for their country--and that means for you and I. So thank you, veterans, for all you have done and still do.

And the best way Improv Playhouse knows how to honor people is through comedy! We're hosting a "funny not filthy" adult stand-up show tonight in honor of our veterans from 8:30-10:00 pm at the Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center. It will have you guffawing! Here's the line-up:

Emcee Dobie Maxwell (of Zanies and The Improv fame)
Karl Newyear (The World's Funniest Lutheran)
& Michelle Krajecki (The Queen of Christian Comedy)

Tickets are $12.50 each, or 2 for $20. All veterans are FREE! 10% of the proceeds will go towards the Wounded Warrior Project. We hope to see you there! And, as always, please contact Improv Playhouse with any questions you may have at (847) 968-4529.

Are you a veteran? What are you doing today to mark the occasion?

Improv Scene Basics: Finding a Conflict

When it comes to improv, one of the most important things you need to establish in your scene is a conflict. (In real life, this is a little less desirable.) No conflict = nothing to do. Nothing to do = a boring scene for your audience. And we certainly can't have that!

In some games, it's much easier to figure out your conflict because it's given to you. For example, in Party Quirks, the conflict is the need to figure out who the guests are. But in a game like Genre Replay (aka Scene Three Ways), it's absolutely crucial to find your conflict. When you redo your scene, the audience will know what to look forward to and you will have something to work with.

So how do you go about finding your conflict? Well, sometimes it's given to you by the audience. Your emcee might ask specifically for a conflict ("There are no paper towels left in the house!"), or it might be obvious in your character or setting suggestion ("Teacher and disruptive student!" "In a volcano!"). But that doesn't happen too often, so it's best not to count on it.

Take your givens--whatever your suggestions are from the audience as well as the confines of the game. If it's Genre Replay, remember you'll be doing your scene again in a different style. If it's Freeze, remember you'll need to keep it short and include some wild poses and gestures for your fellow teammates. The rules of the game should help you rather than hinder you in terms of what you need to do and how to do it.

The next step is a logical one for any improviser: think, "How can I take what I know and cause some drama?" No matter how normal or wacky your givens may be, all you have to do is figure out what might throw things off.

Let's do an example. Say you're doing a basic open scene (no rules) and your suggestion is a relationship, so you and your scene partner are neighbors. What could be the problem?

-Each neighbor's lawn has grass of a different height
-A ball is in one neighbor's yard, but the other neighbor isn't allowed to retrieve it.
-The water isn't working, so neither can shower, water the lawn, or wash their hands.
-Whose flowers will win the garden show???
-A stray dog dug holes in everyone's yard--and uncovered some buried treasure

These are all simple ideas that can turn a basic scene into a grand adventure. You can even be inspired by your own life (the "no water" idea happened to my dad and his neighbors). Taking steps to resolve that conflict is your next step--but that's another blog post.

For anyone but the experts, we highly recommend keeping the conflict external (which means your conflict shouldn't be BETWEEN you and your fellow improvisers). If you and your partner aren't allowed to work together to find a solution, much of what improv builds upon is lost. The beauty of each scene is that you get through it with teamwork as well as building from everyone's imagination. It's hard for you, your partner, and the audience to get through a scene filled with animosity.

We would wish you luck in your scenes, but you won't need it. Finding the conflict is easier than you think. Just relax and play. You'll be surprised how conflicts can come naturally out of your givens.

Halloween Improv Games

Are you throwing a Halloween party? Need some spooooooky games to play? Well, you've come to the right place. Some of these are scary on their own, and for some all you need is a haunting suggestion!

Chain Murder: Three people go out of the room, and while they're gone, one person sees a MURDER! The first person is told the murder's location, the occupation of the victim, and the weapon used (remember these with the acronym LOW). Person #2 comes in from outside, and the first person needs to tell the second what happened--but they both speak gibberish! Once the second person has learned the LOW-down, they MURDER the first person! The third person from outside the room comes in, and second person needs to tell the third person what happened. Once he/she figures it out, the third MURDERS the second! The fourth comes in and finds out what happened from the third. Once the fourth person finds out, he/she MURDERS the third! Then all four need to tell the audience what they think the location, occupation, and weapon were. It ends up being like the game telephone--it's never the same! (This description makes the game sound very complicated, but don't worry, it's not hard at all!)

Spooky Party Quirks: Party Quirks is an improv classic! One person is the host of the party, and they leave the room. Three other people are guests at the party, but each one gets a strange quirk or identity from the audience. For this Halloween version, think monsters, ghosts, or Voldemort! Once the guests know who they are, the host comes back in and throws a party! The host needs to figure out who the scary guests are...before they get him!

Zombies: This starts out like a normal improv game--you get any basic scene suggestions from the audience that you want (location, relationship, conflict, the usual). But at any point, another player who isn't in the scene can MURDER one of the other people in it and take their place! Anyone who gets murdered has to stay on the floor until someone yells "ZOMBIES!" Then they can get up and go back to their seat, but only if they move like a zombie.

Horror Freeze: Two people start a scene, but it has to be Halloween-themed! At any point, someone else can yell "FREEZE!" The two people have to freeze, and the new person taps out one of the two and starts a new scene based on the position they were in. But again, keep it all Halloween-themed! Perhaps there's a visit to a graveyard, or a spooky mansion, or Dracula!

Whatever you do for your Halloween party, be safe and have lots of fun! Halloween is a great time to play games and have lots of fun. And candy.

Also, if you want a spook, come see the Improv Playhouse Radio Players perform DRACULA, this Saturday night at our black box! Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, students, and military at the door, but if you come in a costume, you get $2 off. Join us for either of two shows at 7:30 or 9:00 pm. We'll see you there...and so will the Count...

Quick Improv Games: Press Conference

Good morning on this dreary, drizzly day!

Want to shake these gray-day doldrums? Try a fun improv game that has quickly become a favorite of the class I'm currently teaching--Press Conference!

This is a fun guessing game that where everyone can get a turn. As with all of the games in our Quick Improv series, the premise is simple: one person leaves the room (or if you're on a car trip, covers their ears) and everyone else decides who they are. The person returns to the room (or uncovers their ears) and is immediately the star of a press conference. Everyone else is a reporter--and it's their job to help the guesser figure out who they are through the questions asked.

Now this seems easy, but if you want to have maximum fun, the reporters have to be very clever. They must use our favorite improv technique: escalating tactics! This means starting off with clues that may not be obvious right away and working up to the more revealing ones.

Let's do an example. Say the reporters decide the speaker is Mickey Mouse...

Bad first question: "How do you like being the mascot of Disney?" (This gives it away far too quickly.)

Good first question: "Do your big ears help you hear?" (This tells the guesser a little bit about who they are, but it could still go in many different directions!)

Bad question: "Tell us about your friends." (This puts the guesser in a terrible position! They don't know who they are yet and can't get any information out of this. They would also have to make up an answer that will throw everyone off track.)

Good question: "Why do you like hanging out with a duck and a dog?" (This gives them information while letting them answer in a way that will make sure the game keeps going in a good way!)

The guesser also has a lot to keep track of. They need to answer the questions while not knowing who they are! If our guesser is still Mickey Mouse and the question is "Why do you like hanging out with a duck and a dog?"....

Bad answer: "Ummmmmmmmmmmmm....'cuz."

Good answer: "Well, they make for good company. I can count on them to catch flies and chase cats."

If you're the guesser, try working your guess into an answer! Instead of "Am I Mickey Mouse?", try "I love cheese because I'm Mickey Mouse!"

Have lots of fun! If you want an extra challenge, add an extra step: the guesser has to figure out who they are AND what they did! Whether you're Peter Pan or Voldemort, this game is lots of fun.

-Allie

Improv Scene Basics: Creating a Character

Creating a character is a ton of fun. You get to completely define who you're going to be and what you're capable of! You can give yourself superpowers, be a talking animal, or become the richest human being alive. Unless you're Superman, Flounder, or Bill Gates, your character probably isn't exactly the same as you. But it's very easy to fall into the trap of forgetting your character over the course of the scene (especially if it hasn't been assigned to you). By the end of the scene, it's YOU finding your way out of the forest, breaking out of jail, or taking a tour of the floor factory. While this can definitely work, it's not quite as fun or advanced. If you're comfortable taking your improv to the next level, here are some handy questions to keep in mind for creating your character.

-What's your character's name? What does that name say about you?

-Where is your character from? Another town? Another country? Another planet?

-How was your character raised? Were you teased? Are you insecure about anything?

-How does your character stand? Are their shoulders hunched? Do they stand tall and proud?

-What's your character's personality? Are you a know-it-all? Are you sneaky? Are you eager?

-What are your goals? If the world worked your way, what would it be like?

-How old are you? Did you see the fall of Rome? Are you in preschool?

-What are your hobbies? What do you like to do? Homework? Rock collecting? Archery?

-What clothes are you wearing? What do those clothes say about you? How do they feel?

-Is there a gesture or facial expression you're known for? Why do you make it?

-How does your character walk? What speed? Is there a limp?

These are just a few of the ways you can bring your character to life. Obviously, you don't always have time to think all of these through in the few seconds between the audience's suggestions and the beginning of your scene. But if you can define even a few of these, you've created something engrossing for the audience to enjoy. You'll also notice the scene become a lot easier. There are more places you can go as a character than just as yourself! You get new ideas and discover ways to solve the conflict--plus the audience will just eat it up.

In fact, Chris Farley, who was a very famous actor, got his start because of his renowned character improv. He joined Second City and rose quickly through the ranks until he was on the Mainstage--and it was because he could create those well-rounded characters. In fact, there was one improv scene he did as a waiter to a couple on a date when he first started on the Mainstage . The couple was fairly normal, but he was an incredibly depressed waiter. Everything he did was with an air of hopelessness and the audience couldn't get enough. They hadn't given him this quirk, he just came up with it on his own. Don't be afraid to go for it onstage like he did! (Fun fact: did you know Chris Farley's famous SNL sketch "Livin' in a VAN down by the RIVER" was born on the Second City stage?)

Best of luck shaping your characters! Perhaps your character can come with you to school or work tomorrow...

-Allie

Focus, people!

We've all been there: it's a Friday, everyone's a little too excited for the weekend. Nothing gets done. No one can focus. Whether it's class, rehearsal, or a family road trip, it's a tough situation.

Energy is great (as all improvisers know), but you have to be able to channel that energy in a way that aids the scene, you, your fellow performers, and the audience. You can't just run around the stage yelling "WHEE!" at the top of your lungs for a few minutes. That lacks characters, a relationship, a location, a conflict, and, you know, quality. If you and those around you have got the squigglies and can't sit still, here's a great way to center without losing the excitement.

This game is called Counting. The premise is incredibly simple--count as high as you can. But here's the catch: if two people say the same number at the same time, you have to start back at 1. No patterns allowed (meaning you're not allowed to speak in order around the circle, or stare at the person you think should talk next). It has to be entirely random. And you certainly can't say multiple numbers in a row.

What tends to happen is that it takes several rounds to really get going, even if you set a goal. Giggles ensue when four people say 3 and then pairs keep saying 1 over and over. But eventually, things start to calm down. Everyone starts focusing. And you may get up to 20, 30, or even higher. In rehearsal for a play, my cast and I played this game every day. And at our last rehearsal, we got up to 100!

Strange though it may seem, everyone starts to feel the group energy. You can actually start to tell when you're clear to say a number and you can let the rhythm of the counting take you away. It's an amazing feeling to be so in tune with your group like that. Give it a try! You'll be surprised how calming it is.

What other games do you use to focus? Let us know, we'd love to try them!

-Allie

Theatre, a risk....who knew!

Hello, readers! This week, we here at Improv Playhouse would like to welcome our new intern, Jordan! Check out his first blog post.

Every day I wake up and I have a different thought. Yesterday I thought about what I was going to eat, today about not finishing my homework, and tomorrow it will most likely be about not wanting to get up! Now I am sure that whoever is taking the time to read this is saying, “Well, hey! I’ve had the same thoughts!” And I would have to say, “I’m sure you have.” This is what makes us so unique as the people we’ve become and the people we want to become: aspiring theatre geeks.

Today, Joe Schmo, who lives next door to you, woke up and said, “I’m going to put on my tie, drive to work, take two aspirins, go to lunch, kiss up to the boss, leave at five, come home, eat, watch Law & Order: SVU, then go to bed.” Now this is a daily routine for Joe and his life never changes. That is why Joe makes five figures a year and we only make four. Now don’t get discouraged. That is just how theatre is, a risk; and now let’s divide even theater from improv.

Improv Playhouse prides itself on who they are in the world today with astonishing actors and many years of experience. But what really sets IP apart from the rest of the world? I’d have to say improvisation. Improv builds the best fundamentals for an actor while remaining the most unstructured form of art out there. Structure is something a theatre person has probably never heard of, but it can be good when it comes to keeping organized (and don’t forget obeying the laws). Without structure, you’re actually preparing yourself for any situation life can throw at you. Every day people lose their job, people divorce, cars gets towed, or you are broke and won’t get paid for another two weeks!

The ironic thing about it all is that everything is a risk. Daring to be different is a risk, as director Lloyd Richards once said. “Some risks cost more than others, and I guess those are the ones that you recognize as risks. But all of life is a risk. You try and achieve whatever you as an individual human being can achieve. To make that attempt is a risk. I guess I never decided to take risks with my life, I just had no choice. You take risks, whether they be small ones or whether they be large ones.” So, as I wrap up my first blog entry ever, I hope I have left you with a little something to think about: Life is a risk. Many people don’t ever want to touch on the subject of theatre being a risk, but inevitably you will risk it all in the end. And if you really want to pursue your dream, don’t stop. I am learning now to never give up because "All the world's a stage; all the men and women are merely players."

-Jordan

Quick Improv Games: Alphabet

It seems to us here at Improv Playhouse that despite how old we get, we still have to recite the alphabet in our head to remember the order of it. Why not force yourself to learn it better with a fun improv game: Alphabet!

The premise is easy enough: 2 or 3 people create a scene with a suggestion from the audience, of course--but they also get a letter. This letter must start the first sentence the first person says. Anytime someone else speaks, their sentence must start with the next letter of the alphabet. (Once you reach Z, start at A until you're back to your starting letter.) The scene must be complete by the time the players have come back to the starting letter!

Sounds simple, right? This is trickier than it sounds! For one thing, it's very easy to get caught up in a grocery list:

Player A: "Chocolate!"
Player B: "Danishes are good."
Player A: "Eagle eggs...taste...good...too."
Player B: "For sure."
Audience: *crickets chirp*

It is absolutely crucial in this game, as in all games, to remember your improv basics: create characters, find a conflict, use tactics, and ALWAYS say yes! Don't get distracted by the alphabet, but don't forget about it either. One of the nice parts of this game is that while it's fun to move around and create your space, you can play this on a car trip, at the lunch table, or while taking a test! (Please note that we at Improv Playhouse do not endorse playing improv games instead of taking a test. We just recognize that it's more fun.)

All of our good wishes go with you. Best of luck as you play this game. Can you handle the pressure?

-Allie

Quick Improv Games: Experts

I recently re-discovered one of the simplest and yet most fun improv games: Experts.  This is a game that takes about four seconds to explain...but I can guarantee you (and, if you have them, your youngin's) will want to play for significantly longer!

Here's how it works: three people (or two, if you lack the numbers) are Experts.  Trouble is, one always gives good advice, one always gives bad advice, and one always gives the worst advice.  Everyone else gets to take turns asking questions to the experts to see what they have to say!  And naturally, the experts can switch between themselves and with all the other players so everyone can get a turn answering and asking.

Here's an example of how it might go:
Audience Member: "Experts, I need some advice.  My cat is stuck in a tree!  How can I get her down?"
Good Advice: "You should call the fire department.  They're great at helping cats!"
Bad Advice: "You should throw a rope up to your cat and tell her to climb down it."
Worst Advice: "You should send a whole zoo of animals up the tree to get her back down.  Dogs, zebras, bears...everyone knows how helpful they are!"

Everyone loves dispensing advice...might as well have some fun with it!

--Monkey # 8 & Allie

Car Trip Games (Improv for the Sedentary)

Long car trips aren't the only place where you and the little chimps are stuck sitting for long periods without much else to do, but they are certainly the most infamous.  Doctor's offices, long lines, waiting for dinner. . . the world is full of nightmare scenarios for any parent monkey with a restless litter. Rather than tossing your children out the window or bruising everyone's shoulders with punch-buggy madness, try these fun improv games! They're real warm-ups that don't require much physical movement, and they are much more fun than counting cars.

Next on Springer! : One player points or calls another's name and says a word of five letters or less (water, jog, leap). The named player then comes up with a silly sentence using the word as an acronym. (SOAP--silly orangutans ate peaches! or PINK--Polish iguanas need kelp!) Then that player points to a different player and says a new word.

Five Kinds Of : Fill in the blank: "Name five __________!" Next person in line does it, with everyone counting along (everyone should say, "one!" "two!" etc. as they count).  You can use real categories (kinds of fruit! countries in Europe!), or made-up ones (horrible-sounding recipes! things you wouldn't want to find between your toes!).  This is an improv game, so silly is good.

Foooour More Names! : The first person says "I know a guy/girl whose name is _________," and fills in the blank with a one-syllable name (Bill, Frank, Jan).  Everyone then says/sings a line that ends with a rhyme. When three people have done it, repeat the first line with a different name. For instance:
"I know a girl whose name is Jan!"
"She hit me on the head with a pan!"
"But it's okay, I'm her biggest fan!"
"She keeps her money in a big tin can!"

Try these out, and tell us how it goes!
--Monkey #8