Improvisational theater, or “improv” as it’s called for short, is a style of theater in which actors create a scene, characters, and given circumstances on the spot. Made famous by troupes like Second City and Upright Citizens Brigade, improv is often humorous and witty. In the wake of the TV show Whose Line is it Anyway?, improv has become increasingly popular. So you want to learn about the art? Here’s some basic improv FAQs to get you started.
Where can I see a professional improv troupe perform?
One of the most famous improv troupes is The Second City, which is located in Chicago but has branches and traveling performances nationwide. There are also local improv troupes and performance venues in many major cities. Many of these venues, such as Comedy Works in my hometown of Denver, are home to performances including aspects of both improv and stand-up comedy. Some high schools and colleges also have improv troupes- check out performance dates for those in your area. Finally, if splurging on tickets to see a professional troupe isn’t realistic for you, there are always television shows like Whose Line is it Anyway that can deliver a funny improv performance right to your home.
How can I improve my improv skills?
While some people are naturally quick-thinking and funny, everyone has potential to become great at improv. The one key to this is practice: the more you perform, the faster and funnier you will become. Play improv games with your friends, get involved with your local theater company, or just practice coming up with humorous quips on the spot. Improv is one situation in which practice definitely makes perfect.
What are some improv games I can play?
There is a wide variety of improv games that are simple to play- all you need is a few people and some creativity. One of the simplest, made famous by Whose Line, is called “Scenes From a Hat.” In this game, a category is suggested such as “Bad Superheroes” or “What Grandparents Do On The Internet” and performers take turns stating funny one-liners that fall under the theme. Another simple game is called “Hitchhiker.” Four chairs are arranged in a 2×2 square. People sit in three of them, and an additional person becomes the “hitchhiker” who must enter the car and perform with a specific personality quirk. For example, the hitchhiker might have a very proper British accent, or he might have a terrible cold. Everyone else in the car must then take on this characteristic, until one person finds an excuse to leave and everyone rotates. The person who has just left becomes the new hitchhiker. These are just two of the games you can play- a quick Google search will surely produce more ideas.
What are the different types of improv?
There are two main types of improv: longform and shortform. Shortform improv consists of quicker scenes with less character development, typical to the games mentioned above. Longform is more complex- it usually revolves around scene creation where each actor creates and must stick with a specific character. One of the hardest parts of longform is knowing when to end the scene, being aware of when it seems to wind down. Longform also often starts with an information generation game, where the players come up with ideas to work into their characters later in the scene.
These are just a few of the things to know if you’re interested in learning more about improv or even trying improv out yourself. As an actor, it’s an invaluable skill to have, but any improv-lover can attest to the real-life applications this art form can bring you too!