Advanced Improvisation: Game of the Scene
Course Description
Summary
This course is an in-depth exploration of improvised comedy scene work, with a central focus on finding and playing “Game.” Game is loosely defined as a pattern of unusual behavior that breaks from the pattern of your everyday life. In other words, Game is what's funny about your scene.
To play Game in a long-form scene, you’ll learn to answer three key questions:
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What is the situation?
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What is the first unusual thing?
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If this is true, then what else is true?
Building on the fundamentals from Theater Games and Improvisation—such as listening, reacting, agreement, accepting offers, commitment, playing at the top of your intelligence, and being specific—we’ll apply these skills to both premise-based and organic scenes.
This course emphasizes character development through exercises and scene work while introducing advanced improv theory and techniques. You’ll be encouraged to make bold emotional and character choices. The course features two class shows in the second half of the term.
Learning Outcomes
- Honing the ability to listen and react in real time.
- Develop comfort with moment to moment work and unknown consequence.
- Engender a sense of play through performance.
- Learn to collaborate in ensemble setting or with a partner.
- Begin to develop your comedic point of view a.k.a. "the comedic voice."
Prerequisites
Theater Games and Improvisation or equivalent experience.
Permission of instructor upon receipt of a brief, 2 min. Video Statement of Interest [via YouTube link].
Video Statement of Interest: What is your interest in comedy/improv and what do you hope to gain by taking this course? Who's your favorite comedian and why? What would your first executive action be if you were President of 51? Hilarious answers only, please.
Send these BRIEF YouTube videos to me at: shawtanebowen@bennington.edu by November 14th at 5 p.m. Late submissions will not be accepted!
Please contact the faculty member : shawtanebowen@bennington.edu
Corequisites
Completion of Dance or Drama lab assignment.