By
eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Step1
Read and research. There are a two books in particular that are worth reading to get your mind in the world of long-form performance. The book that is considered the bible by many is "Truth in Comedy" by Del Close, Charna Halpern and Kim Johnson. Del and Charna were the real innovators in the field of long-form, and Del invented the "Harold" form (considered an "industry standard" form of long-form improv), so reading this book will help. Long-form improv grew out of the Chicago area improv theatres like Second City, and Viola Spolin's work with that theatre as well. Her book "Improvisation for the Theatre" gives a different, and in some ways more practical, take on the art and usefulness of long-form improv.
Step2
Learn the "Harold" form. The "Harold" itself is a good place to start as far as understanding the basic ideas behind long-form improv. A "Harold" is usually performed by a group of between 6 to 8 people. The "Harold" starts with a 1-word suggestion from an audience member, which the group then brainstorms on in their "intro." The "intro" can be as abstract or organized as the team wants, so long as it generates some ideas and themes to expand upon for the rest of the "Harold." The next section is the first set of 2-person scenes. Three scenes are improvised in a row, all of them using the "intro" as their inspiration, and all of them establishing a joke, or "game," that can be heightened in later scenes. After the first set of 2-person scenes, is the first group scene. This involves everyone in one way or another and is usually a broader (and sometimes jokier) scene that has a simple "game" that heightens quickly and lasts for only a couple minutes. After the first group scene, the pattern repeats, with the same couples coming out and doing another set of three scenes, using the "game" they established in the first set of scenes and heightening the joke and given circumstances. After the second group scene, a third set of scenes takes place. During these final scenes, more liberties can be taken. Usually by this time, there are opportunities for themes from one scene to bleed into another and, hopefully, all the stories can be tied together in some way by the end of around a half-hour.
Step3
Watch improv! Watch A LOT of long-form improv, good and bad (you can learn from both) live. Then, when you're done... go and WATCH MORE. You cannot watch enough long-form if you are trying to perfect it yourself. It's like studying to be a sommelier without tasting the wine. If you are in New York City, go to The Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre on Harold Night, or The PIT (People's Improv Theatre). If you are in Chicago, go to the Improv Olympic, the birthplace of the "Harold." If you are in Los Angeles, go to Improv Olympic West or UCB LA.
Step4
Take classes. Trying to learn long-form by yourself is futile. Take classes from a reputable teacher that you know about from a friend or reviews on message boards. Form a practice group outside of class with people you like to improv with. Play with people you have fun playing with. In the words of Amy Poehler, "Life is too short to play with people you don't like." Be patient. It takes a week or two to learn the various forms, but a lifetime to perfect. That's the essence of long-form improv. Be vigilant and practice often. In front of a crowd if you can.
Step5
Form a practice group. Get your friends together and get a coach to help you as a third eye. Practice scene work, specifically working on quickly establishing relationship, setting a "game," and how to heighten the "game" you've established. Once you've worked on scenes on their own, then you can start putting together a "Harold."
