The Rules Of Improv

As an improv actor, I have found that there are basic rules a performer must abide by in order to create a great improvised scene:

The easiest way to kill an improv scene is to deny your scene partner.

• Create A Relationship

The most important aspect in the scene is the relationship between the characters. Who are they to each other? Brother/Sister, coworkers, married couple etc.

There is a great deal of depth in relationships that can be explored based on who the characters are to each other. If this isn’t established early in the scene the audience will be left wondering the characters are, and the performers will be struggling to make the scene interesting.

• Show The Environment

Most people are visual learners, and it’s very helpful to the audience to illustrate the environment in which the scene is taking place. If the scene is supposed to be in a forest, snap off a tree branch and play with it like a sword. If it’s cold outside, put on your imaginary parka and shiver excessively. Believe me, many laughs will come out of showing the environment.

• What’s Going On?

You must ask yourself why this day is important. You must show how that particular day is more important than any other day in the characters life. It will heighten the stakes in the scene and make it more interesting. You just woke up from a coma, your brother crashed your new car, you just won the lottery etc. Good scenes deal with special circumstances.

• Always Say Yes!

The easiest way to kill an improv scene is to deny your scene partner. If they say you are their brother, you are. If they say you have blood all over your shirt, you do. It is essential that you and your scene partner are on the same a page and agree with what’s happening in the scene.

• Avoid Asking Questions

Try your best not to ask questions during a scene. Assume you know everything about who you are and what’s going on. This will give clarity to the scene and the characters you create.

• Use Details

Nothing will bring clarity to the scene more than using details. If you and your scene partner are married, how long have you been married? If your brother wet his pants at school, how many times has he done it? Using details with give great depth to your scene and will pay off with big laughter from the audience.

• Listen!!

Listening to your scene partner is essential. So much of building an improvised scene is from feeding off of your scene partner and creating a scene together. Improv is a team sport and it requires a great deal of trust and reacting to your each other. The best way to do this is to listen!