IMPROVISATIO

N (IMPROV)
WHAT IS IMPROV?

• Improvisation, or improv, is a form of live theatre in which the plot,

characters and dialogue of a game, scene or story are made up in the
moment. Often improvisers will take a suggestion from the audience, or
draw on some other source of inspiration to get started.
• Improv is unique in that if you see a performance, that’s it… there will
never be another show exactly like it ever done again. Improv is different
every time.
WHAT IS IMPROV?
A spontaneous style of theatre using unrehearsed and
unscripted acting scenes.

Thinking,
Doing, &
Saying on
your feet!
 IMPROV
DO’S!
1. Commit100%
2. Listen to the other players
3. Establish your setting!
4. Forward the Action!
5. JUST SAY YES!
 IMPROV
DONT’S!
1. NEVER SAY NO!
2. Don’t just tell. SHOW US!
3. Don’t force funniness.
4. Don’t worry about making
mistakes.
 IMPROVISED THEATRE
Improv, a group of
Also known as
performers create original
scenes and characters on the
spot.

Sketches : Specific scenes

which is provided at random.
 TYPES OF IMPROV!
SHORTFORM AND LONGFORM
Shortform improv is made of short scenes around a
predetermined structure or game that are driven by
audience involvement.

Longform improv is a whole show of short scenes with related

characters, stories, or themes.
3 FACTORS OF
EFFECTIVE
IMPROV
 SPONTANEITY
• Coming from a natural impulse or
tendency without effort or premeditation
•  Natural, unconstrained, unplanned
VULNERABILITY
• The foundational tenet of improvisation is “yes, and.” We say yes
to our scene partner to move the scene forward. We accept the
reality they offer and we “and” that reality with our own addendum.
We collaborate moment to moment, in real time, building something
that could not have existed without these people, in this place, with
these ideas. It is the very spirit of vulnerability to say yes without
thinking, judging, or planning out your next move.