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10 Rules of Improv

The document outlines 10 rules for improvisation: say "yes, and..." to build a scene; add new information to push the scene forward; don't block or deny ideas; avoid questions which block the scene; focus on the present moment, characters, and their relationships or struggles; establish a specific location; provide descriptive details; have characters experience change; commit to choices given by your partner; and focus on actions/objects or relationships to make a scene serious or funny.

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christinahylton
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863 views

10 Rules of Improv

The document outlines 10 rules for improvisation: say "yes, and..." to build a scene; add new information to push the scene forward; don't block or deny ideas; avoid questions which block the scene; focus on the present moment, characters, and their relationships or struggles; establish a specific location; provide descriptive details; have characters experience change; commit to choices given by your partner; and focus on actions/objects or relationships to make a scene serious or funny.

Uploaded by

christinahylton
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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10 Rules of Improvisation I am ________________________________

1. Say Yes, and! For a story to be built the actors have to agree on a WHO, WHAT, WHERE. Saying
yes, and allows you to agree on those.
2. Add New Info! After the and add new information. The scene cannot move forward unless new
info is added, to push the scene.
3. Dont Block! Blocking is the opposite of saying yes, and and then adding info. Blocking = denial =
not good in improv. Blocking stops the flow of info and can stop the scene in its tracks.
4. Avoid Questions! Questions = blocking in a more subtle form and makes your partner do all the
work.
5. Focus On The Here and Now! A scene is about the characters in the scene. The change, struggle,
win or loss that they are dealing with IN THAT MOMENT.
6. Establish The Location! Good scenes take place somePLACE at sometime. They do not take place
on an empty stage.
7. BE SPECIFIC! Provide details, which are the lifeblood of moving a scene forward. Each detail
provides clues to what is important. Details help provide objectives and flesh out characters.
8. Change Change Change! The characters in the scenes must experience some type of change for the
scene to be interesting. Character need to go on journeys, be altered by revelations, experience
consequences for choices and be moved by emotional moments.
9. Focus on Characters and Relationships! Focusing on the characters and their relationships is the
easiest way to make a scene serious or emotional.
10. Commit and Take Choices! For humor focus on actions or objects and TAKE what your partner
gives you then commit to it. Much like how focusing on characters and their relationships is the
easiest way to make scenes serious THIS is the easiest way to make a scene funny.

10 Rules of Improvisation I am ________________________________


1. Say Yes, and! For a story to be built the actors have to agree on a WHO, WHAT, WHERE. Saying
yes, and allows you to agree on those.
2. Add New Info! After the and add new information. The scene cannot move forward unless new
info is added, to push the scene.
3. Dont Block! Blocking is the opposite of saying yes, and and then adding info. Blocking = denial =
not good in improv. Blocking stops the flow of info and can stop the scene in its tracks.
4. Avoid Questions! Questions = blocking in a more subtle form and makes your partner do all the
work.
5. Focus On The Here and Now! A scene is about the characters in the scene. The change, struggle,
win or loss that they are dealing with IN THAT MOMENT.
6. Establish The Location! Good scenes take place somePLACE at sometime. They do not take place
on an empty stage.
7. BE SPECIFIC! Provide details, which are the lifeblood of moving a scene forward. Each detail
provides clues to what is important. Details help provide objectives and flesh out characters.
8. Change Change Change! The characters in the scenes must experience some type of change for the
scene to be interesting. Character need to go on journeys, be altered by revelations, experience
consequences for choices and be moved by emotional moments.
9. Focus on Characters and Relationships! Focusing on the characters and their relationships is the
easiest way to make a scene serious or emotional.
10. Commit and Take Choices! For humor focus on actions or objects and TAKE what your partner
gives you then commit to it. Much like how focusing on characters and their relationships is the
easiest way to make scenes serious THIS is the easiest way to make a scene funny.

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