Of everything I've learned in improv, probably on 25% is directly related to performing for laughs. Here’s a little bit about the other 75%.
Spoon River is one of my favorite games. In this game, three improvisors face away from the audience, and then take turns delivering short monologues, in character, about the same event that happened in this small town. The goal is to provide interweaving stories that fit into one overall narrative. The joy of the audience is that they see three different, and often very funny, perspectives of the same event.
In improv, there is an inherently tricky relationship between one’s individual ideas, and those of the rest of the people onstage, and none explore this relationship more uniquely (in my opinion) than Spoon River. When a player delivers their monologue, it is just them on stage talking. They are delivering straight to the audience, and can’t be interrupted by other players. However, they must realize that they fit into a story with two other people, who are about to deliver their own monologues. They have to set them up for jokes or pay off ones they’ve set up.
Spoon River is a game where you, as an improvisor, are playing both the roles of the lead actor and supporting actor at the same time. You are alone in the spotlight, but still part of a team. Learning how to navigate this balance has helped me understand how to be a better team member at work, in relationships and just about everywhere.
In situations, we often take on “roles.” Sometimes we are in the fore front, other times we play a more supporting role. Learn to do both. If you’ve been getting a lot of credit at work for a project, take some time to redirect some of the praise to other team members who helped out, or put them in a position to contribute more on an upcoming project. If you’re low on the totem pole, don’t be afraid to speak up if you are given an opportunity to do so.
Walking the balance between lead and support, simultaneously, makes Spoon River an addictive game to play. Walking that balance in life however, can be so much more valuable than just a few laughs
--- David Wappel
Short form, improvisational sketch comedy at its best! "Improv Road Show" is an Atlanta-based comedy troupe performing all over town - from local theaters to community parties to corporate events - creating on-the-spot, live comic scenes incorporating your audience suggestions. If you like "Who's Line Is It, Anyway?", you'll love "Improv Road Show".
Thursday, August 7, 2014
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