The Improv "Yes And" Rule

Video Transcript

"JAYNE ENTWISTLE: Hi. I'm Jayne Entwistle with ExpertVillage.com. ANDREW STUBBLEFIELD: And I'm Andrew Stubblefield. JAYNE ENTWISTLE: And we're teaching you the basic rules and structures of improv. Now, one of the most important rules and the most, probably, the most famous rule in improv is this idea of yes-and. What that means is we talked earlier about an offer. Andrew had made an offer of-- ANDREW STUBBLEFIELD: Good morning, Jayne. It's a beautiful day. JAYNE ENTWISTLE: The offer is, my name is Jane and it's a beautiful day. And I would respond with, "Yes and I can't wait to go fishing." So the yes-and is saying, yes I accept your offer, and I'm furthering the scene by offering fishing. I could just say, "No, my name is not Jayne," and that would block the scene. So yes-and, we're going to play a little round of yes-and. This is an excellent way to start building your skills with improv. ANDREW STUBBLEFIELD: Would you like me to start? JAYNE ENTWISTLE: Yes, please. ANDREW STUBBLEFIELD: Okay. Good afternoon, Mrs. Jenkins. I freshly dry-cleaned your laundry. JAYNE ENTWISTLE: Yes and it smells delicious. I can't wait to put on my new shirt. ANDREW STUBBLEFIELD: Yes, as you noticed, I added some more scents to it. I hope that you're not allergic to them. JAYNE ENTWISTLE: Yes and I'm not allergic, thankfully. But I love the new scents. ANDREW STUBBLEFIELD: Yes and I folded all the clothes for you, just like you like, and I put them in this bag. JAYNE ENTWISTLE: Yes and this is a handy bag. I can use it at "Trader Joes." As you see, we're playing yes-and. We furthered the scene by saying, "Yes I accept your offer and here I have something else to offer." This is one of the basic and most important rules of improv. I guess I can put my shopping bag down now."