In a city where we continuously elevate our fashion sense, our taste buds, and our little tiny city apartment spaces, why not constantly elevate our acting game? As actors we gravitate towards new styles and methods of performing. The one I found to be fun and most rewarding is Improvisation. Forms of improvisation have been around for many years. Comedia del’ Arte, which in Italian means “comedy of professional artists” is a form of improvisation that became popular in the 18th century and is still performed to this day. The performers wore costumes, masks and used slapstick props while often performing in the back of their traveling wagons. The scenes often dealt with local events and scandal, which is also similar to our current day entertainment.
If you're new to acting in Philadelphia, improv may seem to be a very daunting area of acting. However, it can also be one of the most liberating areas of acting as you can be even more creative during the process with the proper training. Improvisation by definition is a form of theatre where all, or most of, what is performed is created in the moment of that performance. Think of it as a ready, set, go, moment, in which it’s up to you to decide what you are adding to the performance through improv. Anything goes, so don’t think too much, just act. For example, if your scene partner says you are at the airport and you forgot your luggage, go with the moment. Why not raise the stakes in the scene: be at the airport with no luggage and you just missed your flight to your best friend’s wedding. Now that makes it more interesting! Explore where your strong choices take you and the scene. Remember there is no wrong path!
The best way to define improv or improvisation is that it is basically acting “in the moment”. You don't have to practice a script or read a script beforehand, every action and word that you speak during an improv is just a pure response to the environment around the other actors and yourself. On the other hand though, improv is also considered one of the hardest types of acting because it takes a lot of spontaneity and it also takes a lot of skill. For those looking to improve their improv skills, there are actually very many different classes that you can take in Philadelphia.
Most performances are scripted and your job as the actor is to take those words on the page and bring them to life, turning them into a believable reality. By using the principles of improv, you can be more present and focused, and less concerned with memorizing the scene, even when acting alone. This lets you be more in the moment, and able to focus on other details of your character. When doing improv there are no rehearsals. However you can apply the below guidelines at read-throughs, rehearsals or the technical rehearsal (which is the final rehearsal before the performance) to improve at each step of the way. The lessons that follow will elevate your performance from good to great!
If you're looking for a challenge as an actor; it is highly recommended that you take improv class and improv can also help you as an actor to culture and hone other skills in the industry. Improv classes will also help you learn how to speak and act more in the moment and a great coach and improv class will actually use many different exercises to create scenes out of nothing and sometimes the audience can help add ideas for the scene. The basics of improv is doing what has not been done before.
Improv is an art form. With most art forms you need to train in that craft. Practice, practice, practice; which means sign up for improv classes, join a team (or even form your own), or anything else that flexes your improv muscles and keeps your acting chops strong. It also doesn’t hurt to get out and watch other comedy/improv performances. Take notes, get inspired, and apply everything you can to all that practice you are doing.There are many moments in life where we are fearful or cautious. With improv this is your moment to let loose and not be afraid. Create characters, develop relationships, make strong and decisive choices, and see where it leads you in the scene. Trust you are in a safe space and go for it. After all, Amy Poehler said it best: “No one looks stupid when they’re having fun.”
A common misconception that a lot of actors have; is that a great performance is based on memorizing lines and rehearsed movement. Somewhere along the way people seem to forget that acting is not a science and can be molded and fitted to an actor until you achieve something that is unique and marketable. Improv can help you understand where you can cut in if your scene partner actually forgets a line on set. Sometimes it can help to have a different take on something especially if the director is not very satisfied with how you first interpreted a role. A good portion of the time, improv comes in handy a lot; especially if a scene needs to be tweaked last minute.
Stay in the present and make strong choices (there’s that “choice” word again). Don’t upstage. Rather, the better you make your scene partner look, the better you will look. Take the suggestions from your partner and go with it. Create a story. Most importantly, be true to the character you create and react truthfully. This will ground the scene, make it more believable, and give you the freedom to explore the scene you are creating. Storytelling is a word often used in improvisation but it means something a bit different. Storytelling is when the audience wants to see something happen, or a story developing. Just remember there are no mistakes when it comes to performing improv, just be true to your character and the scene.
Tina Fey once said, “Say yes and see where that takes you. “There is an improv principle called “Yes And,” which reminds performers to go with (“yes”) what their scene partner gives them and then add to it so the other person can''yes `` and” again.” These improv tools will help you on a performance level, as well as in your everyday life. Improv can elevate your mood in a positive way, give you a new way to approach daily obstacles and become more comfortable socially (plus you’ll probably meet all sorts of cool improv folks). So get out there and say YES!
Learning how to react to something unexpected on set and without losing a beat can mean that a scene that would be ruined can actually be saved or create a unique twist to a scene that adds great value to a production. Learning improv will help you to learn how to react rather than just reading from a teleprompter or reading lines.
In Philadelphia it's good to come into a scene with awareness that can help the actor understand the action that they are performing during the scene with practice. The Improv student will actually get to a point where they have a huge repertoire of options that can fit any given situation. With proper training in the field of Improv, all an actor would have to do at that point is just take a glance at the script and weigh the options in their head of how a scene will play out or could possibly be played out and having that kind of flexibility can be really appealing to casting directors; as it allows for them to really take a scene and get the best out of it.
Improv can be good even for people that are not in the acting field. As it can help a person be better in business and even with their own personal life. Some Executives have actually been known to take improv classes to help with their networking skills and it also creates better listeners and helps you to understand body language on a deeper level. Improv also can help you pay close attention to those around you and make you more observant.
A good portion of the time in improv is actually really fun and can in fact be quite comedic as well as rewarding when it comes to acting. Some of the more veteran actors in the entertainment business will actually use improv to help them escape from the action of just reading their lines and can help them stay fresh and in the moment. There's a lot of freedom with Improv and taking improv classes can really help your acting career take off. Look for Improv classes today in Philadelphia!
