Improv: "Yes, and" Principle

Series Summary

Improvisational theater is a form of theater in which the actors use improvisational acting techniques to perform spontaneously. Actors typically use audience suggestions to guide the performance as they create dialogue, setting, and plot extemporaneously. Many improvisational actors also work as scripted actors, and "improv" techniques are often taught in standard acting classes. The basic skills of listening, clarity, confidence, and performing instinctively and spontaneously are considered important skills for actors to develop. The best way to improve one's improv skills is to practice, and the only problem with practicing improv is that it helps to have a template to practice with. In this free video series, an professional improvisation instructor and performer will teach you how to play a number of improv games and partake in exercises that will sharpen your acting skills. You'll learn how to use the “Yes, and” principle to build ideas. With these exercises, you'll see your improv instincts improve in no time!

Video Transcript

"I want to talk to you about Yes, and. Yes, and is a really fundamental improv principal. No matter where you study improv what kind of improv you study, in the first few classes they're going to talk to you about Yes, and. Yes, and is this really powerful tool that helps improvisers create scenes, stories, plays, even musicals spontaneously, on the spot. And what Yes, and is, is it's about listening to other people's ideas, accepting those ideas, hopefully with enthusiasm, and then building on to those ideas with something connected. So if I make an offer, which is I do anything on stage that gives you information. If I say, here are some flowers, then I want my partner to Yes, and that idea. I want them to see the flowers, accept them with enthusiasm, and Yes, and them. And they smell beautiful. Ah, what a lovely little scene. So this is Yes, and, accepting an offer, building on an offer with something connected to that offer. And this is a basic building block of how we get to improvise scenes and stories, making sure ideas are connected, and that we're really listening and paying attention to each other and supporting your ideas. There's tons of exercises to work on just this principal. It takes minutes to learn and years to master. It's something I always come back to as an improviser. And it's called Yes, and."