One of my favorite things in improv happened last night.
It was during the Level 3 graduation show. We pulled up two students for a game. I was going to give them Twin Pillars, where we use two audience members to interject randomness into a scene.
But when the students came on stage, one of them, Andy, did something funny where he wound up looking like a spy trying to act casual. Inspired by that, we threw out the game we had planned, and said “Just use that energy when the lights come up”.
The scene that resulted had Andy standing there, looking like a nervous guy trying to act cool and casual. His attempts got more earnest as the scene progressed. One by one, all the other students walked into the scene, noticed that something was off about Andy, and exited.
Of course, the audience was dying to know, “What’s the deal with that guy?”. And as time went on, the question became more and more important.
Finally, Erik, another student, came onstage, mimed zipping up his pants, and washed his hands in a mimed sink right next to Andy.
And in that stroke, it became apparent. Andy was awkward because he was trying to casually hang out in a bathroom. It was perfect, and my favorite part of the whole show.
The thing I really love about it was that none of it was planned. “Awkward Bathroom Scene” wasn’t on our list of games for the night. It all just stemmed from noticing a pre-existing energy, seizing it, and building it up from there.
One of the skills we teach and reiterate in our improv classes is “Being in the Moment.” That means not worrying about the future, about what you think should happen. It means paying attention to what is going on right now. In order to find those magic moments of organic discovery, you have to be able to see what is actually happening. The same is true for directors as well as performers.
It sounds simple, but so much goes into being in the moment. To be in the right frame of mind, you should be relaxed. And being relaxed while on stage, without a script, with an audience staring at you, and lights shining in your face isn’t always the easiest thing to do. We spend a great deal of time in classes working on letting go of fear, and embracing the idea of risk. And once you’re relaxed, you’re free to be playful…. to recognize what is happening, and then to joyfully explore what that means for the sheer pleasure of finding out.
We have a level one improv class starting Tuesday, July 20th. The journey of discovery starts there. You can register at: https://www.hideouttheatre.com/classes/levelone
-Roy