Materials
Improv handouts
Introduction
Expectations
Learn about students
Warm-ups
Vocal
Me-mey-my-mo-moo
Pick a peck of pickled peppers
Split the class
in half. Each group trys to out project the other. One half
recites a line,
the other side
responds.
Movement/Concentration
THE CONVERSATION
Pairs. Students begin having a conversation with their
partner. When the leader calls out
"Bizarre Movements”, students continue with the conversation adding
in strange movements. Next, the leader calls out “Nonsense
language with bizarre movements” and the students make strange sounds,
say sentences that do not make sense, etc. while remembering to move
in an odd manner and respond as if they were having a normal conversation.
The leader then takes the class back to “Bizarre Movements” and finally
back to “Normal Conversation”.
STAND, SIT, AND BEND
Groups of three. One person should be standing, one person
sitting, and one bending over at all times. Have students decide
on a conversation or a scenario. Begin the conversation remembering
that each time someone changes position, i.e. from sitting to standing,
another group member must take that person’s place so that there is
always one person standing, sitting, and bending over. Starting off
slowly, then gradually picking up speed. Advanced - after students
have this down, instruct them to try to make sure the moves to different
positions have reasons behind them matching the dialogue.
ACTIVITY #1
TIMED NURSERY RHYME
This is a timed activity. Students are put into small groups
and are given one minute to decide on a nursery rhyme making sure
each member of the group has a least one role. Students are
then given one minute to choose two members of the group to portray
inanimate objects making sure that the objects have lines as well.
For example, when miss muffet sits on the tuffet, the tuffet might
say “oof.. you’re not so light, get off of me”. Next, students
are given one minute to change the ending of the nursery rhyme, adding
a funny/bizarre twist. Students are given three minutes to
rehearse the nursery rhyme. Finally, they present to the rest
of the class.
ACTIVITY #2
BUS STOP
Divide students into two groups. One leader is assigned
to each half. Ask for a volunteer bus driver or leader can
take the role. Students are waiting at a bus stop.
The bus driver picks up a passenger and when the passenger gets on
the bus driver takes on the personality, mannerisms, dialect, etc.
of the passenger. They have a short conversation in this manner,
circling around once before picking up a new passenger. Each
time a new passenger gets on the bus, the driver and all other passengers
take on the persona of the new passenger and converse with one another
in this mode until all passengers have been picked up.
IMPROVISATION
Divide students into three groups. Give each group one
of the three following scenarios. Students
have seven minutes to prepare the improv and then show them to
the class.
Group Improvs
1. This is not a silent improv. You
are attending a very special wedding. This wedding is like no other
we have ever seen because you are all sea creatures (real or imagined)
and the ceremony is under the ocean. Also, this wedding has none
of the usual rituals that we normally think of at a wedding and it is in
its own undersea language. You have seven minutes to put this together.
Make sure everyone has a part. Everyone should have an active part
with things to do and say. The sky's the limit on what happens (keep
it clean) but you may have music, dance, spoken words or anything else
you choose to create. Have fun! Be involved! Don't chicken out! Keep
it energetic! Go for it!
2. This is not a silent improv. Your
group is at a game show. This game show is like no other - the rules,
prizes, penalties, etc. have never been seen before. Everyone must
have an active part with things to do and say. Stretch your imaginations.
You have seven minutes to put this together. The sky's the limit
(keep it clean). You may add elements of dance, music, spoken words,
and anything else you choose to create. Have fun! Be involved! Don't
chicken out! Keep it energetic! Go for it!
3. This is not a silent improv. You
are going to your prom, however, this is a prom that takes place at the
zoo. You are all zoo animals. Some animals are members of a
live zoo band that makes its own unique music. Stretch your imaginations.
What new rituals might you create? Make sure everyone has an active
part. The sky's the limit (keep it clean). You may add elements
of music, dance, spoken words, or anything else you create. Have
fun! Be involved! Don't chicken out! Keep it energetic!
Go for it!
Developed by H.H and S.R.