IMPROV GUIDEPOSTS:

There aren’t any hard and fast rules of improv or good story telling but there are things you will find are best to generally favor or avoid:

“Yes, and…” The #1 tenet of improv! Accept, affirm and build on your partner’s ideas or what has been already established in the story.

“Second support:” Look for how you can help tell this story by helping others in the scene. Support and add to your scene partner’s offers. Make your scene partner look good. You are working together and for each other.

Don’t try to be funny– It makes a scene feel contrived and pulls focus onto you rather than the story. Be present and responsive to what is playing out. You may win laughs with honest or surprising offers but it is not the goal.

Follow the fear– Don’t be afraid to take risks or follow where your instincts lead.

Don’t rush a scene or prematurely hurry its resolution. You can find more there if you take your time.

Be courageous and make bold offers that build and help fellow performers.

Embrace mistakes “Mistakes” or fumbles are often improv gold! Use them to your advantage. Don’t dwell on them or let them derail your scene. Mistakes, slip ups or fumbles can be great story fuel!

Move the story forward. Good improv has momentum and energy. Offers that slow or sidetrack a story deflate a story’s pace and momentum.

Commit to offers, character, setting and story. Fully embrace what is playing out! It’s not just about words.

Listen– even when you’re talking.

Don’t plan or anticipate too much– Stay in the moment.

Let go or navigate away from an idea or offer that doesn’t work or is doing more harm than good for the story.

Don’t dumb down the story.

Establish the who, what and where early in scene.

Be specific: Physicalize your space by pantomiming props, furniture, animals, machinery, etc.

Finish it! If your story is dragging or lost and can’t find its finish- if you’ve tried and just can’t make it work- have mercy and end the scene!

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AVOID:

Blocking or rejecting your partner’s ideas or established storyline

Being too “self-focused” It’s not about “you” it’s about “us” and the story.

Humor at your partner’s expense.

Grand standing or showing off

Whatever feels safe, easy or stereotyped

Your “bag of tricks:” i.e. repetition of old ideas/bits from other performances that hit.

Don’t force your idea, let the story lead the way!

Avoid weak or timid offers that don’t move the story.

Avoid vague questions that don’t move the story (e.g., “What should we do now?”). Questions often (but not always) diffuse or kill story momentum & energy. They often don’t help, rather they pause story momentum. Exception: A question can contain a good offer, story information and move things along! E.g., “Why must you always treat me like a house pet?”

Avoid random or non-sequitur offers that stall, erase, redirect or undercut the story. Bring what helps the established story along.

Avoid “blue” or violent offers– Generally (but not always) overtly sexual or violent offers or story turns kill a story. They offer a negative point of no return that can be difficult to avoid once offered.

Avoid over-thinking or planning. Control or contrivance can kill honesty and spontaneity, which are at the core of the magic and fun of improv.

Don’t “bail” on a scene, an established plot point or your partner!