-
Step 1
Select two players.
-
Step 2
Ask the audience for the title of an imaginary musical.
-
Step 3
Ask the audience for the title of a song from that musical.
-
Step 4
The players begin a scene based on the first title suggested.
-
Step 5
While building the scene, the players must also work toward justifying the second title suggested. So, if the title of the musical is "Leprechauns in Space" and the second title is "I Love Tacos," they may begin the scene as wee folk on a rocket ship but by the end they will have to find a reason to declare their fondness for Mexican food.
-
Step 6
When the scene reaches its emotional climax, one player breaks into the first verse (about eight lines) of a lively, up-tempo song. Clever lyrics and rhymes are good, but it's more important that it logically follows from what happened in the scene and ties into (but does not mention) the song title suggested by the audience.
-
Step 7
The same player then sings a chorus containing the title of the song. The chorus should be kept very simple, as it will be repeated by other people. It can even be as simple as repeating the title several times.
-
Step 8
The second player then sings the second verse, which should have different lyrics but the same length, meter, and rhyme pattern as the first and should also relate to the scene and the song title.
-
Step 9
The second player sings the chorus exactly as the first player did.
-
Step 10
In the third verse, the first and second player take turns singing, switching after every line or every two lines, whichever works better with this particular song.
-
Step 11
The two players harmonize on the final chorus (or, if that's too difficult, sing in unison), with increasing energy for a big finish.
-
Step 12
Optional finale: The entire improv troupe joins the players onstage for the final chorus and encourages the audience to sing along. At the end of the song, they all shout the name of the musical and do jazz hands.
