How to Play the Improv Game "Props"

Improv, short for improvisation, is performed by troupes in theaters and comedy clubs, taught in classroom settings and played at parties for fun. Improv is the art of making up dialogue and/or acting out scenes on the spot, usually resulting in comedy. The game "Props" is best played by experienced actors, because it can be quite difficult to come up with many different ways to use random props. Follow these instructions to learn the rules of the game, and get ready to laugh.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4 large props

1. Select four large props for your actors to use. The bigger the better, so that audience members with poor seats can see them. Place two of the props on one side of the stage and two on the other.

2. Have two actors go to each prop area on either side of the stage, forming two teams. As ideas pop into the actor's heads, they should pick up a prop, turning it into another item all together by delivering dialogue and using the prop physically to demonstrate the ideas.

3. Alternate play between teams. The first team to run out of ideas loses. Go crazy because the wackier the ideas, the better.

4. Keep your brain alert. As an actor, continue to think of ideas the entire time the game is being played. There is not even time to stop and enjoy the other team's performances. Ham it up and have fun.

Tips & Warnings

• You cannot be afraid of looking silly in improv, but this is especially true of this game.
• Don't worry if an idea doesn't get laughs, just press on and stay in the game! Any idea is better than no idea.

Resources

• You Tube--Whose Line
• You Tube--Whose Line