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 | 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 | 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, 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, 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, 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, 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 | 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, 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, Lecture / Explanation, Orientation, Sidecoaching, Space Objects
Making the Invisible Visible This is a very important exercise. Space is the most neglected aspect in Improvisation. I stress it, because beyond seeing, it requires strong focus and goes a long way to create a compelling stage reality. In this video, I demonstrate and...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Follow the Follower, Improv Games, Mirror Games, Orientation, Sidecoaching
You’re All in it Together! A good question that was brought up is “is it possible not to look at another player and share the motion?” The urge to tell what I know about this game has to be avoided. It’s the player’s problem. If I...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Follow the Follower, Improv Games, Mirror Games, Orientation, Sidecoaching, Warm Up Games
Following the Follower gives the players a Direct Experience This most essential exercise has many variations. Note the sidecoaching is not done to any one person, but in general, allowing each team to use what they need and ignore the coach if already doing it. Also...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Follow the Follower, Improv Games, Mirror Games, Orientation, Warm Up Games
Variations of Mirror This most essential exercise has many variations. Three Way Mirror is a good problem to face once Two person mirror is solved. There are other variations. Who Started the Motion warm-up game, Mirror/Sub-Teams, Fun House Mirror, where each...
