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Improv Intermediate Course Lesson 4

This document provides exercises for a drama workshop focusing on developing character. It includes warm-up games like "Bippity Bippity Bop" and "Mind Meld" to encourage participation. The main portion introduces the VAPAPO character framework - Voice, Attitude, Posture, Animal, Obsession, Prop. Exercises are outlined to explore each element and how they inform a character, working in pairs and groups. The goal is to play with different characters through shifting vocal and physical traits, bringing characters to life without relying on literal representations.

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StevenMorgan
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19 views3 pages

Improv Intermediate Course Lesson 4

This document provides exercises for a drama workshop focusing on developing character. It includes warm-up games like "Bippity Bippity Bop" and "Mind Meld" to encourage participation. The main portion introduces the VAPAPO character framework - Voice, Attitude, Posture, Animal, Obsession, Prop. Exercises are outlined to explore each element and how they inform a character, working in pairs and groups. The goal is to play with different characters through shifting vocal and physical traits, bringing characters to life without relying on literal representations.

Uploaded by

StevenMorgan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Lesson 4 - Characters

Introduction and safety check


Get people to do their introduction with a particular voice.

Warm-up

Bippity Bippity Bop


Circle up, one person in the middle. The middle person points at someone in the circle and
says “bippity bippity bop” as fast as they can. The person being pointed at must say “bop”
before the middle person gets to the end of their phrase. If the middle person points to
someone and only says “bop”, then that person must stay quiet. When someone gets it
wrong, they switch roles with the middle person. If the middle person points to someone and
says “Hawaii”, the person being pointed at would have to do the hula while the students on
the left and right would put their arms up like palm trees. Other word combos that apply are:
● Aeroplane (person pointed at does goggles with their hands while the two on either
side become the wings).
● Banana (person pointed at puts hands together in the air above them while two on
either side become the banana peel).
● James Bond (person pointed at puts hands together as though holding a gun while
two on either side faun over them).
● Elephant (person pointed at puts arms out in front as though a trunk while two on
either side puts arms out as though they are the ears).

Mind Meld
Circle up. One person in the group says “one”, any person. Another person in the group says
“two”, any person. Both of those people then count down from three and after zero, they
both attempt to say the exact same word as each other. The first time around, the words will
be totally different, e.g. “Phone” and “Religion”. The game repeats with a new couple of
players declaring themselves as “one” and “two” and repeating the exercise. However the
next two who play should attempt to use a word which links the two previous words, so in
our previous example of “Phone” and “Religion” they might then say “Apple” or “Prayer” to
guess what the other person might come up with to link the two words. The game continues
until both players say the same word at which point everyone in the circle says “Mind Meld!
Mind Meld! Mind Meld!” and goes a little crazy.

Exercises
Introduction of VAPAPO: Voice, Attitude, Posture, Animal, Obsession, Prop
Four main emotions: Mad, Sad, Glad, Afrad
We might not get through all of these today. Get the book, it’s inexpensive and the best
improv book out there. http://jillbernard.blogspot.com/
Voice
● Everybody pick a place in the room. Pick a voice. At “go” start, saying stuff in that
voice. Switch a few times. What happened to Attitude and Posture when you
changed your voice?
● Pair up. One person gives cues, the other tries voices. Person A will give
suggestions to inspire a voice. “Scratchy, low, melodic, etc”. Person B tries these
voices. Switch.
● Reflection: what works for you? What are caveats?

Attitude
● Quick recap of MSGA: All emotions are just hues of these four.
● Emotional starts: Scenes with 2-4 people where we start making noises
corresponding to the suggested emotion.
○ EYE CONTACT. If the emotion is negative, beware of it being directed at
each other.
● Pair work: each pick an attitude, play a scene (very little happens). Take care of
yourself first: don’t immediately drop the attitude because you think it doesn’t work
with your partner’s.
● Reflection: How does attitude help you? When is it necessary to be changed?

Posture
● Walk around the room neutrally. Coach shouts “switch!”, take on a new posture.
Switch a few times. After a few goes, coach instructs to also start talking as that
character.
● After a switch, let the characters interact with each other.
● Pair work: let your partner mould your posture. Play with that character a bit. Back
and forth.
● Reflection

The more advanced ones… Don’t get too frustrated if these work less well for you, the
important part is to play/have fun.

Animal
● Everybody walks around. Coach shouts out an animal. What does a pig-like,
raccoon-like, hamster-like person look like for you? Don’t play the actual animal, it’s
an inspiration only.
● Pair up, each picks an animal, short scene. Switch partners, repeat.
● Reflection: what works? What is an impediment (getting too hung up on the animal)

Prop
● Brainstorm: what are things you could have as a prop? We’ve all had cigarettes and
drinks and they are fine. What else can you have?
● Pick up your imaginary prop. Let it really be in your hand (or anywhere else it goes).
How does that affect your character?
● Speak in that character’s voice, move around as the character.
● Pair up, brief scenes. Not about the prop, the prop is just there to inform your
character. Switch partner, new scene.
● Take on a new prop.
● Reflection

Obsession
● Brainstorm obsessions. Jill’s examples: wanting to take over the world, all chairs are
flirting with you.
● Scenes: try being the character without letting the scene be about the obsession.

Finishing
The Cauldron

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