Improv Notebook » Entries tagged with "Storytelling"
Kurt Vonnegut on Drama
My friend Chet, an improviser with Secret Improv Society in San Francisco, sent me this article. http://sivers.org/drama It is really interesting look at at some very familiar story structures, the “Cinderella” story, the “Disaster” story, and then real life. This is an interesting way of looking at Narrative arcs. Personally, as a visual thinker, I find this useful especially when looking at longer improv formats with more than one connected scene. I like the idea that we can, in … Read entire article »
Filed under: Improv in Life, Performing Improv
The stories we tell ourselves
I was late. I was late and stuck. I was late and stuck in the line at the gas pump. And worst of all, I could see the people holding up the line I could not get out of. I watched for several minutes as all three people talked, joked, and admired the side of their car. And worst of all, they just sitting there, next to the pump, and not even pumping gas. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Improv in Life
KJ4 – What would you ask Keith Johnstone?
What would you ask Keith Johnstone? I’ve known Keith for about 20 years. He has taught me many things…mostly about eliminating fear from the stage….so that we can reveal ourselves. Earlier I asked you to help me put together my list of questions. I asked you,what would you like to know about him, his theories and his view towards improvisational theater. Many of you wrote in…thank you. The interview took place on Sunday at 6pm in the BATS … Read entire article »
Filed under: General, Keith Johnstone
Getting to the point
You knew it was going to happen again, you were asked to give a presentation and you couldn’t come up with a good excuse not to. As the deadline approaches you keep finding ways to avoid it, but finally you can not escape. You sit down and face a blank screen with no ideas on what structure to create. Many people take improv classes to help with public speaking, and for good reason. The lessons learned … Read entire article »
Filed under: Applied Improv, Featured
The flow of stories – interesting vs. easy
This week I was teaching and intermediate improv class – working on telling stories. I asked them to tell word at a time stories with the energy and voice that you use to encourage a dog or toddler to do something. Lots of positive energy and emotion. After telling several of those, I asked them to tell plain, slightly boring stories … Read entire article »
Filed under: Teaching Improv
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