Author: Preston Smith

Below is a list of fundamental principles of improv… while improvisors tend to make improv much more complicated then it needs to be, it is always a good idea to go back to the basics.

Improv Fundamental Principles

1. Listen – As simple as this seems, it is probably one of the most difficult skills to master. Listening will free you from having to think of what you are going to say a head of time.

2. Agreement (Yes, And…) – Assuming you have listened, you will be able to agree with what was said AND add information. Agreement is what allows a scene to progress!

3. Team Work (Group Mind) – Improv is a vast mechanism of give and take and support. The group mind is greater then the individual.

4. Don’t Block – One of the quickest ways to destroy group mind is by blocking other players, going for the joke or not listening.

5. Relationship – The scene is always about the relationship, not things or what you are doing. Make the scene focus on the relationship.

6. Initiation – This is the Who, What and Where of the scene… establishing the Who, What and Where of the scene is essential to having a great scene.

7. Point of View, Opinion & Intention – Enter a scene with a point of view, opinion or intention… let these drive your character and response.

8. Be in Character – Maintain your character throughout the scene. Be the character to the top of its intelligence.

9. Don’t Ask Questions – Questions your scene partner to do all the work. Make assumptions and turn questions into statements.

10. Make Active Choices – Do something, don’t be a talking head. Do something but don’t make the scene about that something.

Over the next 10 weeks we will be highlighting these basic principles of improv…

For information on Jester’z Improv Training visit here.

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