1. Why Improvisation?

2. Improvisation skills can help people become: more pragmatic, playful, flexible, imaginative, and courageous.

3. Pragmatic (practical) * Accept Reality

4. Pragmatic (practical) * Accept Reality * Pay Attention

5. Pragmatic (practical) * Accept Reality * Pay Attention * Listen

6. Playful * Have fun

7. Playful * Have fun *Collaborate

8. Playful * Have fun *Collaborate * Diffuse difficult situations

9. Flexible * Be adaptive

10. Flexible * Be adaptive * Willing to change

11. Flexible * Be adaptive * Willing to change * Keep an open mind

12. Imaginative * Ideas there when needed

13. Imaginative * Ideas there when needed * Open flow to imagination

14. Imaginative * Ideas there when needed * Open flow to imagination * Letting ideas come without filters or judgement

15. Courageous * Fail and get over it

16. Courageous * Fail and get over it * Take risks

17. Courageous * Fail and get over it * Take risks * Share imagination

18. Courageous * Fail and get over it * Take risks * Share imagination * Think on your feet

19. Rules of Improvisation

21. When “ Yes, and... ” is not used: Scene: Fun with Friends “ Are you ready to skate? ” “ What are you talking about? We ’ re not at a skating rink, we ’ re on a basketball court! ”

22. The scene is killed. A wall is put up and they are working against each other.

23. When “ Yes, and... ” is used: Scene: Fun with friends “ Are you ready to skate? ” “ ”

24. Scene can develop. They now have a place for the scene to go and are “ playing off each other ” --not against each other.

25. Try a scene of your own with and without “ Yes, and.... ” (without first)

27. With an agenda: Scene: After School “ Did you see what Antonio did in math class today? ” “ Did I tell you I ’ m auditioning for American Idol? I ’ m going to sing Whitney Houston. ”

28. Without an agenda: Scene: After School “ Did you see what Antonio did in math class today? ” “ ”

29. Try a scene of your own both ways.

31. When the humor is forced: Scene: At the Mall “ What do you think of this jacket? ” “ Burpppp. ”

32. Scene can ’ t develop. It may get a quick laugh but not much else.

34. Without the active choice: Scene: After School “ We should go running later. ” “ Yes, but running is hard and I do get tired easily. ”

35. The active choice: Scene: After School “ Ready to run? ” “ Let ’ s go...(pant, pant) Hey, slow down will you? I think I (pant) am getting a (pant, pant) Ahhhhhh!!! ” (falls to ground clutching side)

36. Try a scene of your own with and without the active choice. (without first)