ClassIdeas

Bob's Improv Class

This page is for Bob's Improv Class.

1. Overview and Motivation
2. Goals
3. Logistics

4. Topics:

   1. Instant Platform
   2. Objects and Spaces
   3. Period
   4. Genres and Styles
   5. Listening and Accepting
   6. Conflict and Resolution
   7. Touchy-Feely Physical Stuff
   8. Support and Reincorporation
   9. Performannce Skills

Improv Reading List (to be refactored to each class)

See also the general ImprovReadingList

Impro (Keith Johnstone)

There's probably something in here.

Impro for Storytellers (Keith Johnstone)

• Ch. 6: Making Things Happen (Ironically, it's all about not making things happen!)

• Ch. 12: Character

  • Body image
  • Emotional noises
  • Stanislavsky
  • Laban

Improvisation for the Theater, 3d Ed. (Viola Spolin)

• Chapter IV: Where (pp87-134)
• Chapter VI: Non-Directional Blocking

Improv Comedy (Andy Goldberg)

Anything useful here?

Truth in Comedy (Charna Halpern)

Anything useful here? Do I even have a copy of this?

Acting on Impulse (Carol Hazenfield)

There's something in here, I'm sure.

Are there any other books I'm missing?

Suggested Exercises (again, refactor)

These are all from Improvisation for the Theater, 3d Ed. (Viola Spolin)

Notation: page number.heading; 64.1 is the first heading on page 64 entitles Part of a Whole Activity

• 64.1 Part of a Whole Activity
• 67.2 Part of a Whole Occupation
• 64.3 Play Ball (space, connection)
• 76.1 Conversation With Involvement
• 78.2 Maintaining Surface Heights
• 208.1 Calling-Out Exercise

Do some exercises based on floorplans (based on 208.1.) Have group draft a floor plan then play a quick round of the The Room Game. Maybe have people draw floorplans with four elements (sink, garbage can, door, microwave, fridge, cupboard), maybe share them, director shuffles them and gives one to each player as they take the stage. Each player enters, reheats a small carton of Chinese food, eats it, throws the rubbish away, rinses the dish in the sink, and leaves. We all guess who acted whose set. Is this too divisive or elaborate?