2012 IESA Team Improv Games
Line Talk …contestants stand in a line from front to back, facing the audience. (Each student stands behind another with the first student facing the audience.) The facilitator gives an opening line and the first student in line repeats this line and continues speaking until the facilitator says “Switch!” at which time the speaking student will go to the back of the line and the next student continues speaking. The effect should be that of a single speaker. The judge will end the game with “Stop!” What to look for: No hesitation as the story is continued, fresh ideas, the ability to move the scene along without being repetitive.
Freeze/Switch. Two students stand in front of the judge as the facilitator gives them an opening line and they begin their Improv. After the scene has been established, the facilitator will say “Freeze!” and the acting students freeze their position. Two other students then tap the frozen students, assume the first pair’s body positions and begin an entirely new Improv based on those positions. This can be repeated several times at the discretion of the judge. What to look for: Creativity in taking the scene to a whole new place by adopting the previous body positions.
The Brain. Three students stand facing the audience, one behind the other. The student closest to the judge sits on the floor, the second student is on his or her knees, and the student furthest upstage stands. The facilitator then asks “The World’s Smartest Brain” to answer a question. The three students improv their answer one word at a time with each student saying only a single word. When the students end their answer the final speaker says “Period!” Judge will end session with “Stop!” What to look for: Creativity in their responses, a confident, fluid response as if answering as one person. The ability and willingness to stretch out the answer and not be satisfied with a short response.
Changing Channels. Students stand in groups of two in front of the judge or if the group consists of an uneven number, three may be in a group. The judge will announce the “topic” of the channels from a list provided by the IESA. The facilitator will point to one group of students and name a television network or TV show from a list provided by the IESA. . That group immediately begins improvising that choice. After some time has elapsed the facilitator will point to another group and announce the next choice of network. What to look for: A quick response to each new prompt with no hesitation, teamwork in moving each scene forward.
Move Me, Baby. Two students stand facing each other. Two “movers” stand behind the speaking students. The facilitator will give an opening line and the first two students begin their Improv. They may not voluntarily move; instead, the “movers” position the speakers’ hands, feet, head, etc. and the speaking students must respond to these new body positions. What to look for: Do the speakers actually take their cues from their new body positions? Do the movers initiate new body positions that move the scene forward?
IESA provided prompts: Line Talk I had this dream last night…. You won’t believe what the guy behind me just said…. So when I came to contest I was thinking….. I don’t think my teacher likes me…. Did you ever wonder what it would be like to be invisible? My dog talks to me! Really! I’ve got this secret… You won’t believe what I have in my pocket
Freeze Switch Give me that ball! I don’t think we can do it. Hang on…here we go! Just hold really still. It’s creeping up behind you. Okay..now jump! Come on, Champ! Run! Here boy! Good doggie!
The Brain Why is there air? Where to bubbles go? How much can a stomach hold? How much wood can a woodchuck chuck? Is the Easter Bunny real? What’s the secret of life? What makes the fizz in soda? Do tomatoes have feelings? Can a rock talk?
Changing Channels Topics: Alligators, money, rats, monkeys, babies, ice cream, crab grass, elves Channels: CNN, The Animal Channel, The History Channel, Children’s programming, The Soap Opera Network, MTV, the Cartoon Network, The Weather Channel, The Home Shoppping Network
Move Me, Baby You broke my kite I need a nose job Can you fix my mouth? Shake me! Quick! Can I see your hands? Look me in the eyes. Can you tie my tie? Please tie your shoe