Students will demonstrate their understanding of the rules of improv by participating in an improv performance/competition.
Class Level:
Intermediate
Main Concepts:
rules of improvisation, character development, scene creation, improv games, obstacles
1994 National Standards:
CONTENT STANDARD 2: Acting by developing, communicating, and sustaining characters in improvisations and informal or formal productions.
Description:
Students learn the rules and guidelines for improv as well as several performance type improv games. Unit culminates in a “Comedy Sportz” type game.
Lesson Plans
Lesson 1: Intro to Improvisation Students will apply their understanding of the basics of improvisation by identifying improv skills in a film and defining guidelines.
Lesson 2: Show, Don’t Tell Students will apply their understanding of showing in improv by participating in “Party Quirks” and reflecting on their experience.
Lesson 3: Creating Character Students will apply their understanding of character by creating a list of standards of characters and reflecting on their experience.
Lesson 4: Scene Disaster! Students will apply their knowledge of improvisation in a performance setting by performing a scene with obstacles.
Lesson 5: Rules Reviewed Students will interpret and apply the 8 guidelines of improv by creating a 2 minute skit and game that demonstrates the guidelines given.
Lesson 6: Performances Students will demonstrate their understanding of the rules of improv by participating in a final improv performance/competition.
Author’s Notes:
This daily rubric may be used throughout the unit to grade specific improvs: Rubric 0-5 points
Participation:
Student is actively involved in the class and is thoughtful in their reflection (5) to Student barely participates and merely goes through the motions (1).
