Be changed

Be changed

To tell an interesting story, or to create an interesting scene, it is important that you allow yourself to be changed. This is because stories are about characters and relationships being changed by what happens to them. Cinderella changes from servant to princess, Hamlet is brought low by his desire for revenge.

These stories would not be as interesting if the characters remained static and unaffected - if Cinderella decided it was too difficult to go to the ball or Hamlet decided that he could cohabit with his Uncle. As an improviser, if you want to tell an interesting story you need to be affected by what happens on stage. If someone dies, this should fill you with grief, or anger, or joy. If someone offers you a cream bun, this should shock you, bother you, or delight you.

So when you are in a scene, focus on your fellow performers and let their actions affect your character - physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

Be bold

Many of the principles of impro so far described have been responsive: as a performer you need to be aware of other performers, accept their offers, be changed, and look for the patterns in what is already on stage.

But this is only part of the story.

Often the best thing that you can do to support your scene partner is to bring a strong and clear offer to the stage. This doesn't mean taking control of the scene, or killing off other people's ideas. What it does mean is that to be a skilled improviser you need to learn how to inspire your team mates.