BRAVO!!! Improv is a huge deal for us and I structure all of my classes around improv principles. We cover warm-ups and short-form "cabaret" style games in my classes. We have an after school improv comedy team which meets once a week throughout the year, and we do at least two public shows a year (one in Fall, one in Spring). This year, we have about 25 members of the team. They are all four grade levels (9-12) and of various skill levels.
The major draw-back to long-form improv is the audience needs to be "trained." When done well, long-form is an amazing piece of theatre that allows the audience to forget that it's improvised. However, when it's poor, or even mediocre, it can destroy future audiences. Therefore, I would recommend you continue to workshop long-form in your classes, but don't perform it until you and your students really feel comfortable with it. When I perform professionally, I only do so in venues where the audiences are either fans of improv or are open to experience something new (just like the audiences that attend Second City, UCB, Laughing Matters, and Dad's Garage).
Due to its challenges, I have only rarely done long-form with my students' shows. Usually, the performers are the Seniors that have received the most training. Instead, we structure our performances to about 90 minute "cabaret" style shows, similar to what one might see on "Who's Line..."
For our shows, I have two improv team Captains (usually one boy and one girl) to help me determine the set list and which actors will perform in each scene (this is based on skill levels and particular abilities with certain forms). We mix it up with Verbal endowments, Physical Endowments, and focus on Characters and Story-Telling structure. We take extra care to make sure that every player gets to perform in at least two games and that we alternate physical and verbal challenges.
Here is a sampling of our set list (this changes from show to show).
- Freeze Tag - 6-8 players
- That's Right Bob - 2 players
- Transportation - 4 players
- Interrogation -2 COPS, 1 CRIMINAL
- Genres - 2 players - 1 interloper
- Spelling B - 6-8 players and audience member
- Levels - 3 players
- On book - 2 players
- 1-3-5 - 3 players
- Time Warp - 4 players
- Worlds' Worst/185 - Full Cast
- Moving Bodies - 4 players (audience members if possible)
- Directed Scene - 3 players
- Lines - 4 players
- Buzzer - 2 players
- Dance Crew - full cast
I can give you a full description of these games, or you can find them online. I highly recommend that you act as "side-coach" during the scenes. It can take a lot of the stress off of your first-timers. Also, it allows you to exploit the "Coach vs. Player" or "Game Within the Game" dynamic that is so fun for the audience.
Besides my classes and these extra-curricular shows, we also perform improv as part of our Community Outreach and Ambassador programs. The elementary and middle school audiences (especially their teachers!) love this stuff. We've even developed literacy programs, which earned us some grant money, and have toured the region doing improv. In our scripted plays and musicals, my strongest actors are - shocking! - my strongest improvisors. It's an invaluable tool.
Break a leg!!!
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Josh Ruben
Fine Arts Head, Northwest Whitfield Co. HS
Tunnel Hill, GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2017 12:49
From: Tanner Oharah
Subject: Improv Show
This is my 3rd year as a theater director and we are about to put on our first improv show. We are working through the upright citizens brigade handbook but are not quite ready for a full long form show. I guess my real question is How do you structure an improv show and what games do you play in front of an audience? Thanks for your help.
Sent from my iPhone