10 Rules of Improvisation

Improvisation is a great tool that helps stimulate the imagination of an actor to delve more fully into his or her character and develop the scene. However, improvisation also comes in handy when used in the audition room and other instances in show business where actors may have to be spontaneous. For instance, an actor may perform their monologue in an audition the way they have always practiced. The casting director may like them, but ask them last minute to perform their monologue again in a completely different way. Good improvisation will give the actor the confidence to make the necessary changes, and perform on the spot as requested. In order for improvisation to work, it is important for the actors involved to obey the following rules.  

1. “Yes, And…”

The most important rule of improvisation is for the partners to respond, “Yes, and...” Nothing will kill an improvisational scene quicker than for an actor to suggest something, and the other actor to deny it. Denying an offer or statement made by an actor not only kills the potential of a scene, but it gives off an ignorant disposition, and the inability to work together. For instance, if partner one says, “Wow, I love your dog!” It would only discourage the natural improvisational flow of the scene for partner two to reply, “It’s not a dog, it’s a bike.” Not funny or cool.

2. Avoid Asking Questions

When you ask open-ended questions that essentially leave your partner doing all the work, it wastes the time for the actors, and interest of the audience. The goal is to work together, providing information, not stirring up open-ended questions.  Being specific will help the imagination become more contagious. Do not ignore your partner while thinking about what you will say next. Listen and respond to your partner, accordingly.

3. Listen to your partner and add additional info

Your response is the bridge to your characters response and so on. Make sure to be truly listening, and add additional information with each turn. Both partners should be contributing, not just one. In order for improvisation to work, it is important for the actors involved to understand that teamwork is vital.

4. Establish your location

Establishing your location is needed so that you can interact with your surroundings. Acting is doing, so do not keep idle. Avoid just standing and talking. Acting comes most natural when you are occupying yourself with a task.

5. Stop Trying to Make the Audience Laugh

People have the common misconception that in order to do improvisation well, your job is to make the audience laugh. Audiences are unpredictable and different crowds will find different things funny, as different things will occur in different scenes. The more funny an actor tries to be, the less funny he will be. What the actor should really focus on is making the scene interesting and, naturally, from taking risks, the funny qualities will present themselves.

6. Focus on your partner

Too many times, an actor will try to use improvisation to focus the limelight, and draw attention to him or her. However, it is found that when an actor focuses on his partner, not only does he make his partner look good, but also he looks good in return.

7. Characters should Encounter Change

In order for an improvisational scene to engage audiences, the characters must experience an aspect of change that alters their plans. This makes the scene more interesting, the characters more engaging, and the story more diverse.

8. Give Depth to Relationships

In order to create a more intimate or more emotion based scene, focus more on the characters relationships. This will motivate the actors to engage in many conversations on past or present events or troubling times. Focusing on your partner helps the actor resist the urge to draw attention to him or herself, which ultimately, makes for a better scene.

9. Relax and have fun.

There is no room for shy, tense improvisational actors. Your body’s tense energy will limit your risks, decisions and movements as well as lesson the pace of the scene. You must learn to be fully comfortable in your skin as well as conscious of the choices you’re making.

10. Tell a Story

The main goal is to tell a story, usually an unpredictable one, and if not, it usually turns into one. When improvisation is used, the rules and boundaries of a script are broken and freedom for creativity is embraced.

Get creative, take risks and tell your story. -Actors Nook Team