This is a fun show. Lots of support. Big group games. Many recurring patterns through the show. Invested characters. Accepted endowments. And some authentic Improv As Improv Does Best moments.
Enjoy!
Horse Apples is Matt Newman, David Pijor, Matt Micou, Patrick Gantz and Joey Tran
Thank you, District Indie Improv Festival for having us and recording this show!
Want to see a Monoscene? Here’s a good one.
Greg Tindale, Jordan Hirsch, Amanda Hirsch and Sean Murphy of the Washington, DC based group Hijinx took one suggestion and built a great work of character and relationships out of it. Check it out.
Looking for an exercise to help with creating characters and embracing endowments? Here’s one for you.
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There’s more than one way to build intensity over time.
Both scenes work in an improv context. No doubt. But I prefer the second iteration.
The second scene is more dynamic. Yes, both Bobs are altered by scene’s end and both scenes progress, but in the second scene Bob’s change is clearly delineated to establish a rhythm and to set expectations for heightening repetition with the audience.
It’s one of many improv lessons we can learn from The Clown. Let’s learn more.
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The Johnsons’ suggestion was “Cat Food.” Thus, Cat Videos.
The whole show is worth watching and is included at the bottom of this post. But first: Mr. Mittens.
Boldly choose. Boldly commit. Accept everything your scene partner says and does. Accepting doesn’t mean you have to like it, but you have to allow it to happen – and to repeat.
Commit. Push forward. And you’ll find yourself on the other end.
Stopping forward momentum to discuss, argue or otherwise conflict will kill you as all your scene’s (and the audience’s) focus is on “what do we not understand.”
Commit. Believe and see. And you’ll kill it (rather than the other way around).
Tertiary Player Good Faith Mantra – I will only enter a scene in progress to serve what has already been established.
If you’re entering a scene in progress, that scene is not about you. If you Walk On, you should only do so to heighten a reaction already perceived in the scene – feed a character’s personal game or characters’ scenic game.
And if there’s one Walk On, one should be looking to do more. Be sure to find the rhythm of entering – don’t rush to be the 2nd Walk On, wait for the heigtening of the moment that proceeded the 1st. Make each other look good.
That’s what The Johnsons do.
Performers are August Butler, Becky Coppa, Shannon Rodriguez, Jason Stamm, and Jenny Stout
Watch this scene, starring Scott Beckett as “Mr. Johnson” and Jonathan Nelson as “Jeeves.”
It’s 2015! About time to update the Improv As Improv Does Best curriculum.
Intro to Improv Curriculum 2015 (PDF)
Character & Emotion Curriculum 2015 (PDF)
Patterns & Games Curriculum 2015 (PDF)
Long Form Performance Curriculum 2015 (PDF)
For links to individual lessons and activities, go to the full Curriculum page.
