Old School

I've convinced Emerson to let me run an "Improv For Writers" workshop, on the assumption that short story writers in particular can benefit from doing the sort of character- and plot-work that improv scenes require. I'm doing a pilot version over the next two Sundays, with the hope that I can expand it next semester if it goes well.

My goal is two spend the first week (two hours) getting people broken into improv basics, and the second week (three hours) focusing more on stuff like the aforementioned character and plot.

So, since this ostensibly started as a blog about improv, does anyone have any suggestions on good exercises for complete beginners?

Posted by goodladd on November 7, 2008 with category tags of

4 comments
Yes, let's.
  → comment by dustin (#1) on November 7, 2008

If it's for writers. here's some ideas:
- Oldie but a goodie. Make offers in a circle with accepting (explaining offer, accepting, and blocking)
- Three sentence story and seven (eight? Mariana?) sentence story
- Player 1 walks in a circle. player 2 imitates them physically as closely as possible then plays a character that moves like the imitation
- "Ms. Brown" (don't recall the real name). Everyone stands in a circle and lists facts, history and characteristics (physical and personality) of Ms. Brown until you feel like she's fleshed out. Then a scene is played out involving her. Then repeat with Mr. Jacobs. Then Ms. Witwicky, etc.
- Shared story (two people tell a story they both experienced)

ok, gotta run
  → comment by vinny9 (#33) on November 7, 2008

Thanks!
  → comment by goodladd (#144) on November 9, 2008

Maybe start with simple ice breaker games. You know, one of those games where they are not yet pressured into being "creative" but getting people used to just playing again: Name games, number games, stupid games - Name cross circle, big booty, bippity bippity bop, shit like that to get people less uptight...
  → comment by Alex (#118) on November 9, 2008

    

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