A good idea starts as a random thought
You don't have to be an actor or poker champion to improvise.
You don't have to have "talent" and it doesn't have to come "naturally."
Improvising is just a game. A game you play everyday, at that.
The game of life.
Not the board game.
Impro-what?
Improvisation is about communicating ideas without a script.Life doesn't come with a script.
...And life is a game! So, you can now hopefully see what I meant earlier.
Improvisation feels natural, because it is!
It's how you go about everything you do.
So why take a class, if yourself everyday?
Improv gives you a fresh, new take on your surroundings, as you play with what's around you
It's not only creative, but you genuinely notice things about what's around you, you didn't before and how they connect and relate to one another--so it's intellectual, too
This is good for doing anything, not just allowing you to think impulsively or being funny on-a-whim.
You can finally be the one to come up with all the good ideas on your floor at work, which could get you promoted!*
*disclaimer, I don't know your boss.
Yes, Improv is fun!
The best thing about improv, is there's really no way to fail miserably! This makes me feel better.Each time people say something odd, it's something to play off of.
There is no "random story", if you can tie it all together at the end! Or don't and leave a cliffhanger. It's what you make of it.
Improv is hilarious!
The crazier the idea, the more fun you and your audience have! Your reaction to surfing kangaroos or taking llamas picking up the drycleaning? Why not.
Yes and!
During a skit, a player could say "no" to an idea.
But say "yes" to something else!
Always act on your next idea. Offer something that complements a scene partner or your entire group.
How?
Think about making them look good!
If you think about making your partner or group look funny, be it by setting them up for a nice gag or generating an idea for comical dialogue, they'll be thinking about making you look better.
Then do the same! This not only makes the skit a riot, but keeps you out of your head and on every spoken word and tiny nuances heard, you can use to move the plot forward.
Meeting the Players
In improv, you're not only connecting points in a plot, but to the players in your group!
If you want to pursue acting, great! Now you have a some actor buddies.
With acting taking improv is imperative. It's less about technique; more putting what you can bring to the craft, in motion.
No dependence, no script.
Just you.
But if you're not here for acting, remember what I said about that promotion?
If you don't get one, you at least have a group of dedicated people to learn from and share jokes with. Right?
In the real world
We already spoke about this, though. You may have a day-to-day schedule, but you take life as it's thrown at you either way!
That's improv. People are constantly throwing around ideas and it's up to the players to connect the dots, humorously and unusually.
This not only offers the perfect opportunity for creative expression, but all while building self-confidence in your ideas and acting ability.
Where?
Second City is among the most reputable of places to take an improv class. If you life in Chicago, Toronto or Hollywood, there you go!If not, there is probably an improv class happening at any acting school near you.
It's an investment in you and with it you can conquer any shyness or inhibitions you may have; not only performance anxiety, but also with public speaking!
Make the decision to give it a go this year!If anything, don't you deserve to have a good laugh?
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