A type of improv that involves longer scenes or stories with interconnected characters and themes.
Object work: The practice of using imaginary objects to create a physical reality on stage.
Yes, and: The fundamental principle of improv, where actors must accept and build upon each other's ideas.
Status: The social rank or power of a character, which can change and affect the dynamics of a scene.
Game of the scene: The comedic pattern or premise that emerges from the scene's initial idea, which can be heightened and explored.
Initiations: The way a scene is started, which can be based on a suggestion from the audience or a simple physical action.
Scene work: The practice of creating and maintaining believable characters and relationships in a scene.
Narrative: The structure of a long-form improv show, which can include multiple scenes and follow a particular story arc.
Ensemble work: The importance of working together as a team, listening to and supporting each other, and building trust on stage.
Emotional connection: The practice of creating authentic and vulnerable moments on stage, where actors connect emotionally with each other and the audience.
Improv techniques: Various techniques, such as "if-then," "tag outs," and "callbacks," that can be used to help structure and heighten a scene.
Harold: Created by Del Close in the 1960s, Harold is a form of long-form improv that involves multiple scenes and recurring themes. Teams of improvisers take turns creating scenes that are connected by a central idea, character or theme.
Armando: This form is named after Armando Diaz, and involves a single monologist telling stories based on audience suggestions, followed by improvised scenes inspired by the stories.
Deconstruction: In this sub-genre of long-form improv, performers deconstruct a single suggestion into a series of scenes and sketches.
The Bat: A form of long-form improv created by Keith Johnstone, The Bat involves a series of scenes and games that are initiated by the audience.
La Ronde: This form involves a series of two-person scenes, with the last person in each scene beginning the next scene with a different partner.
Monoscene: A long-form type of improv where the entire performance is a single long scene.
Living Room: A form where performers create an entire performance based on the set-up of a living room.
The Movie: This is where improvisers create an entire improvised movie with a storyline, characters, and scenes.
Musical Improv: A form that combines improvisational scenes with live music, to create narrative musicals.
Improv Comedy Sports: Teams of improvisers compete in improv games and challenges, garnering points based on audience reactions.
Duo Improv: Also known as "two-prov," this type of improv performance involves two improvisers performing scenes and games.
Narrative Improv: In this form, performers create a series of scenes that tell a connected story, often over several shows.
French Farce: A form of physical improv comedy that involves many rapid entrances and exits, mistaken identities, and misunderstandings.
Shakespearean improv: A form of improv where actors perform in the style of Shakespeare.
Musical Soundscapes: A group of performers create a sound backdrop to a nonexistent movie or hypnotic sound experience.