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I'm running improv theater games for the beginning of rehearsals with my troupe to improve improv skills ad well as build a sense of community and fun. I've been doing it for the past few weeks and have nearly run out of good ideas. Does anyone have any? Thanks!

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Timothy Meylor
Lafayette CO
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The Living Playbook, compiled by Unexpected Productions in Seattle, is a great resource for improv games and scenes:

The Living Playbook

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Christopher Hamilton
Drama Teacher
Kennewick WA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2016 11:29
From: Timothy Meylor
Subject: Improv Theatre GAMES

I'm running improv theater games for the beginning of rehearsals with my troupe to improve improv skills ad well as build a sense of community and fun. I've been doing it for the past few weeks and have nearly run out of good ideas. Does anyone have any? Thanks!

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Timothy Meylor
Lafayette CO
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Christopher, this improv source you have provided is AMAZING!!! The Living Playbook is the most comprehensive collection of Improv activities I have ever come across. Thanks so much for recommending it, as I am trying to get an Improv Group going here at our school. I will not run out of ideas with this at my fingertips. Thanks!

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Valerie Farschman, Drama Director
MLS Theatre Company, Troupe 1422
Marion L Steele High School
Amherst, Ohio

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2016 13:28
From: Christopher Hamilton
Subject: Improv Theatre GAMES

The Living Playbook, compiled by Unexpected Productions in Seattle, is a great resource for improv games and scenes:

The Living Playbook

------------------------------
Christopher Hamilton
Drama Teacher
Kennewick WA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2016 11:29
From: Timothy Meylor
Subject: Improv Theatre GAMES

I'm running improv theater games for the beginning of rehearsals with my troupe to improve improv skills ad well as build a sense of community and fun. I've been doing it for the past few weeks and have nearly run out of good ideas. Does anyone have any? Thanks!

---------------------------------
Timothy Meylor
Lafayette CO
---------------------------------

Hi there!

First and foremost, are you using the Spolin book?  That has ideas galore!  And just when you think you've done them all, then you can combine them in different ways, and you suddenly have TONS more options. 

Second, let's set up a time to chat.  Working with teachers by helping them with improv in their classroom is quite literally what I travel the country doing.  We could arrange a time to Skype/Facetime, and discuss what you've already done, and create possibilities for the future. 

Third, you wrote you are using improv at the beginning of rehearsals for fun and community.  Great!  Are you also using it for character development for their roles, how to conquer stage business (especially those in the ensemble), and even things like eye contact and physical presence?  

All this to say, you're never out of "good ideas".  :)

Let's chat soon!

Onward!

~Missy

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Missy Whitis
"Working hard for the funny."
missy@housethatjackbuilt.org
FB = @themiddlechildimprov

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2016 11:29
From: Timothy Meylor
Subject: Improv Theatre GAMES

I'm running improv theater games for the beginning of rehearsals with my troupe to improve improv skills ad well as build a sense of community and fun. I've been doing it for the past few weeks and have nearly run out of good ideas. Does anyone have any? Thanks!

---------------------------------
Timothy Meylor
Lafayette CO
---------------------------------

I love to start off rehearsals and classes with improv activities to get them warmed up, energized, and to help them get to know one another.  A few activities that we use often are the games Fast Numbers, Musical Personalities, Kitty Wants a Corner, Splat, and Do You Love Your Neighbor.  If you are unfamiliar with any of these, just let me know and I'll send you a description.

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Sarah Gerling
Theatre Teacher and Director
Columbia MO

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2016 11:29
From: Timothy Meylor
Subject: Improv Theatre GAMES

I'm running improv theater games for the beginning of rehearsals with my troupe to improve improv skills ad well as build a sense of community and fun. I've been doing it for the past few weeks and have nearly run out of good ideas. Does anyone have any? Thanks!

---------------------------------
Timothy Meylor
Lafayette CO
---------------------------------

Living Playbook is an absolutely amazing source! I highly recommend as well.

I actually published a book last year specifically designed for teachers in our positions - trying to improve improv skills while building the sense of community in our performers.

Warm-ups, Tune-ups (longer exercises), and full-fledged games are all broken down by the performance areas they improve and improv skills that are targeted.

I also include sample workshop formats, ideas for structuring an performance, glossary, lists of endowments and other resources. You can find it in print or for kindle on amazon.

I hope it's something you would find useful!

Absolutely Everything** You Need to Know about Teaching and Performing Improv

Amazon		remove preview
Absolutely Everything** You Need to Know about Teaching and Performing Improv View this on Amazon >

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Trace Crawford
Drama Director, Hilliard Davidson High School
www.hilliarddavidsontheatre.com
www.tracecrawford.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2016 11:29
From: Timothy Meylor
Subject: Improv Theatre GAMES

I'm running improv theater games for the beginning of rehearsals with my troupe to improve improv skills ad well as build a sense of community and fun. I've been doing it for the past few weeks and have nearly run out of good ideas. Does anyone have any? Thanks!

---------------------------------
Timothy Meylor
Lafayette CO
---------------------------------

You can use Improv Encyclopedia which allows for sorting by game, group size, categories, etc. Under "Games", I will have students select a letter of the alphabet, click on that letter, see how many games exist, have students give me a number, count to that game, project it, read it aloud, and learn to play it! Sometimes it's great. Other times it gets us started on a great conversation around how we can make it stronger using the rules of improv. Learning all around.

Improvencyclopedia		remove preview
Improv Encyclopedia Encyclopedia of improv games, improv terms, formats, and references. Whole site can be downloaded as a PFD booklet. View this on Improvencyclopedia >

It also references The Living Playbook at: http://improvencyclopedia.org/references/Living_Playbook.html

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Jo Strom Lane
Theatre Teacher and Director
Roosevelt High School
Portland Public Schools
Portland OR

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2016 11:29
From: Timothy Meylor
Subject: Improv Theatre GAMES

I'm running improv theater games for the beginning of rehearsals with my troupe to improve improv skills ad well as build a sense of community and fun. I've been doing it for the past few weeks and have nearly run out of good ideas. Does anyone have any? Thanks!

---------------------------------
Timothy Meylor
Lafayette CO
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