ImprovisationGeneral improvisations often give actors an insight beyond their words by helping them to “see the word” and achieve a reality for the scene”

-Viola Spolin

Setting the SceneFOCUS QUESTIONS

1. What is improvisation?2. What makes improvisation a foundation

for interpretation? 3. How do character centered and situation

centered storytelling differ?4. What are the important factors in

creating a successful improvisation?

VOCABULARY● Improvisation● Spontaneous ● “Illusion of the First Time”● Scene-Stealing● Character-Centered Approach● Situation-Centered Approach● Motivated Sequence

Improvisation: the portrayal of a character or a scene without rehearsal or preparation.

Improvisation

● Make Up the character, lines, and the action as you go along, without a formal script.

● Imagination is the key to improvisation.

● Must convey personality, physical traits, conflicts, desires.

● Primarily convey with voice and body

Spontaneous: performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus.

The biggest problem in theatre is making the show have the “illusion of the first time” or the feeling that the show is being performed for the first time EVER!

ABOUT IMPROVISATION ● The foundation of interpretation emphasizing

creativity and imagination ● Focuses on NATURAL REACTIONS and ACTION.● Forces actors to concentrate on immediate

responses. ● All action is motivated by what you already know

about the character, situation, and what comes up in the improvisation.

Don’t scene steal, drawing attention to yourself or diverting attention from the other actors.

Character-Centered vs. Situation Center Approaches

Character-Centered vs. Situation Center

Character Centered

● Focuses on a character or a group of characters who experience different situations one after another.

Situation Centered

● Focuses on a single situation and places a number of characters in the situation to demonstrate how different personalities will respond to the same event.

character

sit

sit

sit

sit

C1

C4

C3

C2Situation

A SINGLE CHARACTER FACING MULTIPLE SITUATIONS

MULTIPLE CHARACTERS FACING A SINGLE SITUATION

Exercise 1. Choose the “Activator” and the “Responder.”

2. The “Activator” moves hands, feet, head as if looking in a mirror.

3. The “Responder” matches the movements.

The Mirror The Machine

The Mirror

Exercise 1. In groups of fours you will devise a machine.

2. Person 1 starts by making a physical action and sound.

3. The next person links to the first by doing another physical action and sound.

4. Keep doing so until all are connected.

The Mirror The Machine

The Machine

ReflectionWhat did we learn?

Why did we learn it?

How will it help us moving forwarding?

How to have a successful improvisation: 1. Speak loudly enough to be heard throughout the space. 2. Do not hide behind pieces of furniture or other people.3. Move about freely. Try not to stand beside other characters all the time. 4. Take plenty of time to speak and to move so that you can create a definite

impression. 5. Stay in character ALL the time. 6. Listen and speak as your character would in every situation. 7. Always exhibit actions and reactions that are appropriate for your character.

Exercise1. Choose an action from below or you can make up your own. When you are

performing there must be a sense of urgency. a. Hemming a skirtb. Photographing a subjectc. Changing a bicycle tired. Applying makeupe. Writing a letterf. Hiding a valuable

2. A second student will come into the scene performing a different task again with the sense of urgency. Don’t be distracted by the other’s behavior.

3. Finally you will add conversation to the scene. Always concentrate on the action.

Skilled actors mirror people’s natural reaction to internal and external stimuli-thoughts, actions, or what they hear, see, taste, feel or smell.

The Motivated Sequence

1. You experience the stimulus.2. You respond instinctively to the stimulus (primary

response)3. The idea “connects.” Your brain registers the

stimulus--this usually takes only a fraction of a second (idea connection)

4. If the stimulus is the kind that causes a reflex action, your body will react appropriately. (Secondary reaction)

5. You react vocally and/or physically with your “main response.”

Example:You’re asleep in bed. The alarm goes off

(stimulus). You awaken (primary response), your brain tells you that the alarm is going off

(idea connection). You think “It’s Tuesday-school today!” (idea connection) and

you glare at the clock (secondary response). “Yes, it really is 6:00 A.M.” (idea connection).

You reach out and shut off the alarm (main response).

Exercise Apply the motivated sequence to an improvisation of one of the following situations:

1. You are preparing to enjoy a meal in a fine restaurant. As you pick up your fork, you see a fly in your food.

2. The principal enters your classroom and in a serious voice asks you to accompany her to her office.

3. You pick up the morning newspaper and read that a close friend has been selected for a prestigious award.

4. Your history teacher announces a pop quiz on a chapter you have not read.

ReflectionWhat did we learn?

Why did we learn it?

How will it help us moving forwarding?

Establishing a Character● Establish a character beforehand● Ask questions and research your character

○ Who am I?○ What kind of person am I?○ How am I different from the other characters?○ What are the fewest things I can do to convey the

most information about my character?○ What does my character want?

ExerciseReenact some event, real or imaginary, such as the following:

1. At lunch someone rushes in with news that a spaceship has just landed in a nearby park. Speculate on the ship, its occupants, its origin, and so forth.

2. You are a member of the Roman Senate; Julius Caesar has just been stabbed to death. Recall something Caesar did to you that makes you support or reject the conspirators.

3. After having just been given an engagement ring, announce it to the world--including your former admirers and your fiance’s former admirers.

ReflectionWhat did we learn?

Why did we learn it?

How will it help us moving forwarding?

“A person plays a “game of masks” in life, putting on a different mask for every person or occasion faced.”

-Luigi Pirandello

The Do’s and Don’ts of Improvisation Do’s

1. Establish character in your mind (age, physical and mental traits, etc.)2. Identify your problem and goal by asking what your character wants or needs.

3. Keep focused on meeting your need or goal. 4. Let the situation provide the basis for how your character attempts to reach the

goal5. React spontaneously to what is said and done. 6. See things through the eyes of your character.

7. Listen to and observe what others are saying and doing. 8. Take your cues from your scene partner(s)9. Play your scene from moment to moment

10. Say or do things that demand a definite response.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Improvisation Don’ts

1. Deny anything your scene partner say about you or the situation.

2. Ask questions. 3. Use simple statements of information.

4. Explain situations!

How will this be graded?

The rubric

1. Tension and Emotion- 8pts2. Memorization- 2pts3. Characterization- 8pts 4. Movement and Blocking -8pts5. Diction, Projection and Vocal Variety- 8pts 6. Tempo and Rhythm- 8pts 7. Focus and Give and Take- 8pts

Add them up, multiply x2, get final score.

GROUP IMPROVISATION EXERCISE 1. I will assign groups of 52. Each of you will have a specific character and

goal. 3. All of you will board the elevator one by one. 4. When the person who is the window washer

gets on the elevator stops. 5. Improvise.