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 | 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 | Verbal Agility, Warm Up Games
Practice pushing the limits of spontaneous story building. This is a version of Build a Story – One-Word-at-a-Time, often called Story, Story Die! Rather than being an elimination game and creating a funny death to celebrate your failure, this version allows you...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Give and Take, Improv Games, Refining Awareness, The Spolin Players, Verbal Agility
Contrapuntal Argument A, B and C Two players and a timekeeper and a scorer. Contrapuntal Argument A The players begin an argument involving both of them, with both developing and unfolding his own theme. They are to talk simultaneously and without pause. The object is...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Improv Games, Refining Awareness, The Spolin Players, Verbal Agility, Viola Spolin
Singing Dialogue Viola Spolin was aware that singing uses another area of the brain and is important to help ‘unhook’ your dialogue from the meaning. New rhythms and patterns emerge and can also help memorized dialogue in scripted material, as a...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Follow the Follower, Improv Games, Refining Awareness, The Spolin Players, The Where, Verbal Agility
Dubbing is Following the Follower The Game of Dubbing requires a warm-up of two-team mirror, follow the follower and mirror speech. This has all those earlier exercises in it, all rolled into one great, fun game. It’s easy to fall into traps. Watch to make sure...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Follow the Follower, Giberish, Verbal Agility
Fluency with Gibberish and Verbal Agility The Spolin Players (www.spolinplayers.com) have been doing Gib-Interp as a show game for the past 27 years. Here’s an example of great gibberish and great translation, by David McCharen and Danny Mann. Something to say...
by Gary Schwartz | Oct 18, 2018 | Follow the Follower, Improv Games, Lecture / Explanation, Mirror Games, Refining Awareness, Verbal Agility, Viola Spolin
Focus on Reflection vs. Content Mirror Speech gives a good example of true improvisation. It is not turn-taking or mimicking. Rather it allows both players to explore ideas and let the story (such as it is) go where it will. It will often become a flight of fanciful...
