1.2: Improv Rules
There are no absolute rules in improv but here are some commonly suggested principles:
- Listen: easier said than done, and that's exactly the point
- Agreement: say yes and add something, don't reject ideas
- Team Work: have a group mind, think of others
- Don't Block: stealing jokes / not listening / changing topic
- Relationship: focus on connection between characters, not just subject of scene
- Initiation: who, what, when to set the scene
- Point of View, Opinion and Intention: have them, these help express and build your character
- Be in Character: maintain character throughout the scene
- Don't Ask Questions: too many questions can make your partner do all the work
- Make Active Choices: Do something. Don't be talking heads