Students will demonstrate their understanding of the rules of improv by participating in a final improv performance/competition.
Materials Needed
Create a set up for the competition: sets of chairs on each side of the stage (for large classes you may need some on the floor), You may want to provide a list for the teams of the options of games that they can challenge the other team to.
*Note: The ideas presented in this particular lesson will vary according to each school’s program. In my particular school we had two drama classes learning the same unit and they came together at lunchtime to compete against each other. They were able to invite their friends and families to come and watch and we provided pizza. This lesson is written for that particular situation. In other settings you may just divide your classroom and have the competition during class.
Everything in this lesson is to be done just as if you were to go see a Comedy Sportz show. There can be music, sound effects etc.
Hook
As the facilitator, welcome the audience to the game. You may want to explain what the students have been doing in class to prepare and some of the basic rules of Comedy Sportz competitions. The facilitator calls out the players by introducing the team name and then calling each of the players onto the stage using their individual cheers from the beginning of the unit.
Step 1: Invite each of the team’s captains to the front of the stage. After a coin toss, the team with the starting advantage challenges the other team to the game of their choice (for options used in this unit that both teams will be familiar with see handout at end of the unit).
Step 2: Various improv games are played. Points are awarded accorded to the specific game. Most games involve a vote from the audience but if judges are needed, asking teachers to be on the panel would be fun!
Step 3: Assure that each student participates at least once.
Step 4: Announce the “winner” and congratulated the players for their good game!
Assessment
Students will demonstrate their knowledge of improv through an improv performance for the student body during lunch.
