What are some good improv exercises for even one or two people?

Question

I have done some local work but want to step my performing career up alittle. I think a good way to do this is constantly fill my free time with some improv exercises. I have just a couple in mind but does anyone out there have any good improv suggestions.

Answer 1

" Real Time Parrot" is a great exercise, and a definite crowd pleaser.

With a partner you trust, tell a story, simultaneously.

Word for word, aloud, at the same time.

It is a major Trust Rush. Jazzbos call it "riffing".

Man, there ain't nothin' better.

The trick is to look both at your partner's eyes, which are telling you what is next, and your partner's lips, which are telegraphing the next sound you both need to make.

Getting this complex skill down, while telling a compelling story, is most likely the greatest fun you can have with another human being whilst remaining vertical.

Answer 2

Here's two of them that we do all the time. "Yes, and ..." & "Yes, but...".

The theme is that performers should never deny where a partner goes. This shuts down the creativity that someone may be going for. "Yes , and ..." A phrase is given, like, "My cows hate to be milked when it's hot." The response must start with, "Yes, and ..." More information is then given to expand the story line and so on, and so on.

In "Yes, but..." the same process takes place but the story line quickly becomes more and more divergent.

Practice improv all the time. It keeps your brain sharp and it, along with cold reading skills, are the two major job getters in the industry.

Answer 3

Theres a game called "Move Me". Its when you have one person sitting on a bench, and you walk up to them and sit down. Your goal is to make them get off or move without physical contact. Most other exercises are done with 3 or 4 people. They are usually the most fun. For example "Sit, Stand, Lie Down" is when you have 3 people and an audience comes up with occupations for each person, and a setting for them to be in. The three actors must improv there way through dialogue and must alternate between one person sitting, standing and lying down at any given moment (no two people can be in the same position).
This website is also pretty helpful:
http://www.learnimprov.com/

Answer 4

I love "free association". Basically, it helps improve your randomness. :) It's very fun and entertaining. What you do [you can do it with two people or more] is you say some random word and the next person says the first word that pops into their head based off of the given word. It's quick, less than two seconds. It works great with a large group in a circle, but is fun with two people as well.

Answer 5

You should get the book Imro by Keith Johnstone; it has loads of ideas. Here is one I did once. Work with a partner. Here is the premise. Both of you meet at random on the street. You look at him/her and believe this person is a long lost relative or friend. Try to figure out whether it's true by looking at him/her and talking to him/her. You could tell your partner what the set up is or keep it a secret.