by Gary Schwartz | Nov 4, 2022 | Games, Improv Games, The Spolin Players
FOCUS On producing sounds vocally that are usually given by recordings. Description After agreeing on the Who, What, Where, one or more players, hidden from the audience’s view make the noises to create the effects to enhance the onstage action and help...
by Gary Schwartz | Aug 22, 2021 | Games, Giberish, Improv Games, Spontaneity, The Spolin Players
Fluency with Gibberish and Verbal Agility One player goes out. Audience co-creates a story. The focus is for one player to tell that story in gibberish to the returning player. The player who does not know this story must translate each part of the gibberish story...
by Gary Schwartz | Jun 25, 2021 | Games, Improv Games, Refining Awareness, Verbal Agility, Who Games
FOCUS On the sidecoaching received. Description Single player describes an experience or recollection. While relating the story, the player is to accept and utilize the prompts and suggestions* provided by the sidecoach. * note to the sidecoach: listen carefully and...
by Gary Schwartz | Jan 26, 2021 | Improv Games, Warm Up Games
Single File is a good game to play with younger players. It promotes a lot of interaction and cooperation. Players split into two teams. One team lines up and stands at attention while the other team watches. Then they run out of the room or behind a screen and...
by Gary Schwartz | Jan 24, 2021 | Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, Sensory Awareness, Spacewalks, Viola Spolin, Warm Up Games
Theater Games for the Classroom Project Or Sameaj Montessori in Mexico City teacher/student training program In 2019 I was invited by film director and founder of Or Sameaj Montessori, Jack Zagha Kababbie to conduct a series of Spolin Improv workshops for teachers at...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 9, 2020 | Games, Improv Games, Refining Awareness, The Spolin Players, Who Games
FOCUS On holding a facial and bodily expression through a scene. Description Choose a short statement that could embody a ‘life script’ or attitude such as “Nobody loves me.”, “I never met a person I didn’t like.”, “Life...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 9, 2020 | Games, Warm Up Games
Name 6 is a great warm-up game to encourage ‘fun under pressure’. Everyone stands in a circle and one person has a bean-bag or other object to be used as a ‘hot potato’. The person designated as IT turns their back so they cannot see where the...
by Gary Schwartz | May 13, 2020 | Refining Awareness, The Spolin Players
The focus here is on what has happened in the past or what will happen in the future: Two players agree upon a Who, What and Where and explore this What on stage. They ‘hold’ the What’s Beyone as the focus between them, while the players are involved...
by Gary Schwartz | Jan 25, 2020 | Games, Improv Games, Improvisation for the Theater, Refining Awareness, Viola Spolin
Showing and Telling Story Telling and Story Theater This is a variation of Story Telling and Once Upon a Time, found in Improvisation for the Theater 3rd Edition (Pg. 283 & Pg. 290). It is also the roots of a unique theater style created by Paul Sills...
by Gary Schwartz | Jan 25, 2020 | Games, Orientation, Warm Up Games
Playing with the Unknown This game is a traditional game that asks the audience to communicate with a song, what action the one who goes out of the room must do. By playing “Hot and Cold” i.e., singing louder or softer as the guesser gets close to...
by Gary Schwartz | Apr 11, 2019 | Games, Improv Games, Orientation, Refining Awareness, Sensory Awareness, Warm Up Games
Extended Sound Individuals send sound and get it to land on an object across the room. Watch for physical involvement with the sound production. More than asking to speak up, this exercise asks you to make the sound LAND. Words travel with impact. FOCUS On keeping the...
by Gary Schwartz | Feb 12, 2019 | Games, Refining Awareness, Sensory Awareness
Blind Games Materials Needed: Blindfolds, an abundance of real props and set pieces plus a stationary telephone (not cell phone). This may seem dated but it allows players to hunt for where the phone is. Once you get a Who, What and Where (one with the opportunity to...
by Gary Schwartz | Feb 12, 2019 | Refining Awareness, Warm Up Games
Relating an Incident – Adding Color Active Listening This is a good warm-up to the exercise VERBALIZING THE WHERE. In this exercise, Player A narrates a simple story. I.e., “I was walking down the street and saw a parked car, blocking the house on the...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, The Where
Quick Selection for Where The Where In setting up a scene, the group will benefit from being able to quickly agree on basic set pieces in the Where. During play, more may emerge, but everyone needs a door, a window, something to sit on, etc. More than one room for...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Warm Up Games
High energy warm-up This children’s game is a favorite. Play for fun and also to incorporate an intro to “What is my Occupation?” You can also use it to work on the sensory exercises in orientation. Viola would often play this instead of Seeing a...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Games, Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, Theory
Exits and Entrance – discussion Judgment and Other Blocks to Improvising The more blocked or opinionated the student, the longer the process. The more blocked and opinionated the teacher, the longer the process. My Big Breakthrough. The story I relate in this...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Give and Take, Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, Refining Awareness
No Motion – Action at a simmer The concept of No-Motion is a quiet holding onto a moment for as long as one can, before it becomes static. As you go into no-motion it is both a thing to do and a thing to hold (like a mantra). When in No-Motion you are the eye of...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Improvisation for the Theater, Lecture / Explanation, Spontaneity, Warm Up Games
Exits and Entrance – discussion Judgment and Other Blocks to Improvising The more blocked or opinionated the student, the longer the process. The more blocked and opinionated the teacher, the longer the process. My Big Breakthrough. The story I relate in this...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation
Space Substance and Follow the Follower Side coaching and the Approval/Disapproval Syndrome Space Substance and Words Detailing the Object and Sidecoaching A conversation with NPR freelance journalist Carol Grey and Valerie...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Giberish, Improv Games, Orientation, Warm Up Games
Gibberish is used to communicate The mistake a lot of people make, is that gibberish is just a bunch of fun noise to be blathered and have some people make up what they can based on the attitude and gestures. Connecting their clever lines to some aspect of what...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Warm Up Games
Energy boost Drawing Objects in teams creates a lot of fun and great energy. Use it when energy is low or as a prelude to quick selection. Adjust as the equipment requires Two white boards and marker pens are a good way to do this game. Blackboards work too....
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation
On the Approval/Disapproval Syndrome, Sidecoaching and other ideas.
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, The Where, Verbal Agility
Gary Schwartz discusses the value of Space as the material that we use to create objects and environments. Also we touch on the concept that words may be used to prevent the direct experiencing of what the word represents and trap you in ‘story’ rather...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Giberish, Improv Games, The Spolin Players, Verbal Agility
Gibberish English The audience suggests who and where two players might be, while a third player/sidecoach switches them unexpectedly between English and Gibberish throughout the scene. Notes on Sidecoaching When sidecoaching Gibberish English, make sure you...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Giberish, Improv Games, Verbal Agility
Direct translation vs Assumed or invented meaning In many improv troupes, gibberish is used as a ‘gimmick’. The gibberish is not translated accurately, but becomes fodder for clever jokes based on attitude and gesture. Note in this video when an...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Refining Awareness, The Spolin Players, The Where, Who Games
Allowing Who (relationship) to reveal itself without telling We do not want to be told who we are in this game. We want to discover it by paying attention to how our fellow player relates to us. Often this is called ‘endowment’ but too often it is done by...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation
Viola Spolin talks about her work in a rare video interview
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, Viola Spolin
Paul Sills tells an anecdote about how Viola Spolin began writing her book.
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Space Objects
Keep the ball in space Space objects is not pantomime (creating the illusion of objects) but the actual use of space as substance. Many people make the mistake of equating the two. Having been a professional mime for over 12 years before encountering Viola, I...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, Viola Spolin
This is part of a documentary series on Improvisation in general and it starts of course with Viola Spolin.
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Space Objects
Keep the Object in space Using slips of paper, as Viola suggests in the book, is to keep students from pre-planning (playwriting) Audience Players will see the difference In the evaluation you ask players was the object in the space or in your head? Audience,...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Warm Up Games
On Becoming Part of a Larger Object You can call out things like “Use your whole body!” to help them become involved. Or, if you see a few ‘hanging back’ you can just call out in general “Take a risk and join in!” This should be...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Space Objects, Warm Up Games
Part of a Whole: Activity (WHAT) “Show, don’t tell.” “See what’s going on and join in.” “Become part of the whole!” As Viola says in the book, this group interaction should create flow and energy. Repeat the game until...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, Sensory Awareness, Spacewalks, Viola Spolin, Warm Up Games
Welcome to the Spacewalks Page SIDE COACHING SPACE WALK GAMES/ EXERCISES Space walks should be given often as warm-ups and the side coach must participate actively in these exercises. Spacewalks are appropriate for any group, (classroom, workshop, or show warm-up). It...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Sensory Awareness, Warm Up Games
A Quick and Simple Warm-up This can be done at student’s desks if in a classroom, or just before going on stage, or whenever. Coach yourself if you can. It creates mindfulness.
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, Orientation, Refining Awareness, Sensory Awareness, Spacewalks, Warm Up Games
Playing in Slow Motion Slow motion is a great sidecoach to use when you are feeling urgent or panic in a scene. Coaching slow motion re-focuses the players and they have more time to see without stopping . Understanding the difference between true Slow Motion and...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Warm Up Games
High energy warm-up This children’s game is a favorite. Play for fun and whenever the class or workshop needs a boost to keep the energy and spirits high. The more groups, especially work groups play for even a few minutes a day, it strengthens bonds, creates...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, Sidecoaching, Space Objects
A discussion of our work in class on Detailing the Object and what makes a good sidecoach.
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Viola Spolin, Warm Up Games
High energy warm-up Play for fun and also to get everyone used to seeing and using space objects. The fun is as important as the developing skill. But don’t make any recreational game into a “lesson”. It spoils the fun.
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Warm Up Games
Red Light / Green Light Jump Rope Dodge Ball Lemonade Magic Music Playground Games Marbles, Hop Scotch, etc.
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Warm Up Games
A very good warm-up This game is a favorite. I like this in favor of Zip, Zap, Zop or other such games. It is physical, requires players look, see and agree instantly to trade corners. Lot’s of action and daring can happen without hesitation because being Kitty...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Sidecoaching, Space Objects
Making the Invisible, Visible This is the first attempt with Difficulty with a Small Object. The group is new to this and we will return to this later when the group has had more time with Space to see the difference. I watch for focus on the problem and coach to put...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Give and Take, Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, Refining Awareness, Sidecoaching, Viola Spolin
Converge and Redivide variation: Lone Wolf Viola Spolin in a rare video conducting a workshop in Utah in 1972. Here she has three groups do Lone Wolf a version of Converge and Redivide. Her coaching is wonderful to watch.
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Viola Spolin, Warm Up Games
Steal the Bacon Viola Spolin in a rare video conducting ending a workshop session with the traditional game of Steal the Bacon or Bring Home the Bacon. From a workshop at the University of Utah in 1972
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, Refining Awareness, The Where, Viola Spolin
Viola Spolin on the Young Actors Company Viola Spolin in this rare video talks about how her work developed from directing her Young Actor’s Company in Los Angeles and the wonderful results she got from her kids by working with “Where” and with games...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Viola Spolin, Warm Up Games
Save a Friend Tag Viola Spolin in a rare video, shows her group of players “Save-a-Friend-Tag’ from the Handbook of Recreational Games by Neva Boyd (her teacher and inspiration). This was part of the workshop session to get energy up, keep people involved...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, The Where, Viola Spolin, Who Games
Viola Spolin coaches Who Am I? with a group Viola Spolin in this rare video does a variation of the single player version of Who Am I? by asking the group to show the player who doesn’t know who they are through relationship to that person and the where. From a...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Orientation, Who Games
Add to an Activity and add Who This short example is enough to show how it’s done. Coach players to bring on their relationship along with an activity. Coming on and just announcing who you are is telling. Asking questions is permitted as long as it is apparent...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Warm Up Games
Storytelling meets Musical Chairs A traditional game that gets the energy flowing and everyone enjoying making up and contributing to a story. Fun anytime, but especially as a warm-up for Build a Story.
