Position:Home>Theater & Acting> I cannot do improvisation!! ?

the key to doing improv is to relax and be comfortable on stage!. in my old classes we used to get up on stage and just act like complete morons!. the reason for it is to lose the sense of "embarrassment"!. if you can't be embarrassed then it's hard to think you look bad on stage or that you're making the wrong decisions!. there's only a few rules to improv:

1!. never say "no" - it kills a scene almost instantly because it forces the other people in the scene to instantly fix it
2!. always remember "yes and !.!.!." - it keeps the scene moving because you're adding on to it!. it doesn't matter what you say, it'll just keep the scene moving forward!. this also forces the other people to take part which takes the attention off of you!.
3!. can't think of something!? do something!. - get physical, the bigger the better! in improv there are no rules and you can just make things appear!. mime something ridiculous or gigantic or create a crazy environment!.

primarily - you have to work on building your confidence by not allowing yourself to get embarrassed and think something isn't "right"!. so go out and embarrass yourself with your friends (go run up and down the aisles of wal-mart, talk to strangers on the elevator, etc)!. you just need to expand your comfort zone!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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When you were little improvisation was a big part of playing with your friends!. When you played 'house' or 'cops and robbers', or 'doctors and nurses' or whatever, you were improvising!. As we grow older we become more and more self-conscious and we begin to 'feel silly' about the idea of 'let's pretend'!.
You love acting and that is very important!. It is the most important element that will help you to succeed!. This love of acting should help you to build up your confidence!. Don't worry about your audience!. If you are improvising in a group simply develop your particular character, who will walk, talk and behave in any way that YOU choose!. There is no right or wrong in improvisation - there is just YOU presenting your character!. Sometimes if you are asked to improvise spontaneously it is a challenge to think what to do, but you can 'cheat' a little by having four or five ideas in your head that you can adapt and use!. For example the idea in your head might be about a person with a terrible secret - you can make use of this in any improvisational situation!. Make a short list of ideas that you like and will remember - then use one of them next time you are called on to improvise!. And always remember that you love acting - believe me, that thought will help to overcome your nerves!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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I completely agree with what Lauren said!.
Another way to get better at improvisation is to have some friends over to your house (preferably people you are comfortable acting in front of) and play the game "Freeze"!.
If you don't know what that is, here's a definition:
2 actors start an improvized scene!. At any point in time another player can call Freeze!. This player then tags out one of the 2 actors, and takes his place!. Both players then start a new scene, justifying their positions!.

Notes
The way this improv game is played quite often goes a bit against good improv, as many groups hardly take the time to develop a story line!. If played this way, it`s more a game of wit, and you would probably use it early in a show as an audience (and player) warm-up!.

Alternatively, you can take your time and play every scene for several minutes, see what develops, and only at the end of each scene tag into another scene!.

Hope this helps!Www@QuestionHome@Com

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