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A while ago I decided I wanted to try improv. I have always loved watching improv, although it has always been on TV. Whoose Line is it Anyway used to be one of my favorite shows.
Part of my reason for wanting to try it out was due to Toastmasters . I had grown to like table topics enough that I wanted to get better. In addition some Toastmasters used improv games for table topics. The alphabet game was one that stood out for me.
I signed up with ComedySportz for their 8-week Improv 101 class. I wasn't really sure what I was doing there when I went to the first meeting. I am hardly a big fan of being in a room full of strangers. They were not strangers for long though. We played the name game and soon could remember everyones name easily. It is going to be difficult to forget "Misogynistic Michael."
We played a game that involved some interesting rules. Zoom, Schwartz, Pafigliano. The game is fun and involves thinking relatively quickly to avoid making a mistake. Some color was added to proceedings with extra words. James Brown being my favorite.
Pat, our guide, and as it happens is also the GM, told us to leave the Judge and Editor outside. That is easier said than done, as most artists will tell you. I didn't think that very much at the time thank goodness. It seems you need to be rid of the Judge and the Editor to do improv well. It is hardy improv if you edit what you are going to say, or are judging everyone elses responses. There needs to be a spontaneity. A hard thing to teach. Seems like Zoom, Schwartz, Pafigliano is a means to that end.
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