Intro Steve, me and kids.
Talk about the idea of workshopping this event, getting input from the coaches present, taking any suggestions.
VIII. TEAM IMPROV (4.085)
Bloomington workshop suggestions…make it 4-8. Make it a double session. Have a “facilitator” run it instead of the judge. Write a short explanation of each game for the judge to read to the audience. B. Group Improv is an event in which 4-6 contestants perform their improvisational techniques under the judge’s guidance. The judge will choose a maximum of three Improv games from a list of five that will be announced by the IESA each year. The time allowed for this event is at the judge’s discretion, but should be kept under 8 minutes total. The judge will end each scene by saying “Stop!” The only allowable props are two chairs. In the Improv games which only use a specified number of students, the judge will quickly assign which team members will participate.
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 judge gives an opening line and the first student in line repeats this line and continues speaking until the judge 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. 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 judge gives them an opening line and they begin their Improv. After the scene has been established, the judge will say “Freeze!” and the acting students freeze their position. Two other students then tap the frozen students and begin an entirely new Improv based on their body 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 judge 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!” 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 point to one group of students and name a television network or TV show. That group immediately begins improvising that choice. After some time has elapsed the judge will point to another group and announce the next choice. 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 judge 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?
Attitude line. All contestants stand in a straight line facing the audience. The judge assigns each contestant a persona, and announces the name of the fairy tale or well-known legend that the group will be telling. The judge then points to a student who begins to tell the tale as his assigned character. After the story is established the judge will point to another of the contestants saying, “You!” and the second student continues the story in his or her assigned character. What to look for: Does each contestant truly inhabit in the character in terms of body position, accent, character, etc.? Do the individual members listen to the others?
Sit, Stand, Lie. Three contestants. One student must always be standing, one sitting in a chair, and another lying on the floor. If one student changes to another of these positions, the other two must adjust. The trick is to make these moves logical and a natural part of the scene. What to look for: Are the changes in position logical? Are the contestants moving the scene forward? Do the students immediately and smoothly adapt to the new position?
Magic Word. Each student is assigned a “magic word” by the judge. Three contestants begin a scene having been given a location by the judge. Whenever a contestants “magic word” is spoken in the scene, he or she must leave the scene. If the student is offstage when the word is spoken, he or she must find a logical reason to immediately enter. All contestants participate in this Improv. Those who are not onstage when the scene begins may be “called” onstage if their magic word is spoken. What to look for: Are the contestants listening for their word? Are they making the game work by purposely working in the magic words?
Questions for the coaches: What do you think about the event? Kids’ interest? What about the 4-6 number? 8 games done here today…Which of these would be good starters for our first year? What problems do you see in the execution, rules explanation, judging? Should we include the “What to look for” in the sheet for the judges?
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