Unit
in Distance Learning Curriculum
Improvisation
Created by Lindsay Price and Karen Loftus
6 lessons
Students sharpen their listening and reaction skills through improv games, exercises, and scenes. They will learn five specific guidelines to apply to their improvisation: accept the offer, bring information to the scene, make active choices, make your partner look good, and don’t force the humor.
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The overview lays out the lessons within the unit, including time management and technology requirements.
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1Lesson 1Guideline 1: Accept the OfferStudents are introduced to Guideline 1 “Accept the Offer” and apply their knowledge through a warm-up and improv exercise.
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2Lesson 2Guideline 2: Make ChoicesStudents are introduced to Guideline 2 “Make Choices/Bring Information to a Scene” and apply their knowledge through a warm-up and improv exercise.
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3Lesson 3Guideline 3: Make the Active ChoiceStudents are introduced to Guideline 3 “Take the Active Choice” and apply their knowledge through a warm-up and improv exercise.
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4Lesson 4Guideline 4: Make Your Partner Look GoodStudents are introduced to Guideline 4 “Make Your Partner Look Good” and apply their knowledge through warm-up and improv exercises.
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5Lesson 5Guideline 5: Relax, Have Fun, and Don't Force the HumorStudents are introduced to Guideline 5 “Relax, Have fun, and Don’t Force the Humor” and apply their knowledge through warm-up and improv exercises.
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6Lesson 6Unit ProjectThe final project will allow students to demonstrate their improv skills in a two-person scene.
Standards Addressed
MS 117.211 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
MS 117.211 LI - Creative Expression: performance
- C.2.A demonstrate safe use of the voice and body.
- C.2.B imagine and clearly describe characters, their relationships, and their surroundings.
- C.2.C select movements and dialogue to appropriately portray an imaginative character drawn from personal experience, cultural heritage, literature, and history.
- C.2.E express emotions and ideas using interpretive movements and dialogue.
MS 117.211 LI - Creative Expression: production
MS 117.211 LI - Critical evaluation and response
MS 117.212 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
MS 117.212 LII - Creative Expression: performance
- B.2.C select movements and dialogue to portray a character appropriately.
- B.2.D create stories collaboratively and individually that have dramatic structure.
- B.2.E apply knowledge of effective voice and diction techniques to express thoughts and feelings.
- B.2.G create improvised scenes that include setting, character, and plot.
MS 117.212 LII - Critical evaluation and response
MS 117.213 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
- B.1.A evaluate characterization using emotional and sensory recall.
- B.1.B explore preparation and warm-up techniques.
- B.1.C create expressive movement and mime to define space and characters.
- B.1.D demonstrate an increased understanding of the mechanisms of vocal production.
- B.1.E apply knowledge of theatrical vocabulary and terminology.
MS 117.213 LIII - Creative Expression: performance
- B.2.A demonstrate safe use of the voice and body.
- B.2.B portray characters through familiar movements and dialogue.
- B.2.C create characters, dialogue, and actions that reflect dramatic structure in improvised and scripted scenes, individually and collaboratively.
- B.2.D express thoughts and feelings using effective voice and diction.
MS 117.213 LIII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.315 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: performance
- C.2.A demonstrate safe use of the voice and body.
- C.2.C employ effective voice and diction to express thoughts and feelings.
- C.2.D use physical, intellectual, emotional, and social awareness to portray believable characters and convey a story when applying acting concepts, skills, and techniques.
- C.2.E employ physical techniques consistently to express thoughts, feelings, and actions non-verbally.
HS 117.315 LI - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.316 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.316 LII - Creative Expression: performance
- C.2.A model safe, appropriate techniques to allow for physical, vocal, and emotional expression.
- C.2.B explore creativity as it relates to self and ensemble.
- C.2.C demonstrate effective voice and diction to express thoughts and feelings.
- C.2.D apply physical, intellectual, emotional, and social interactions to portray believable characters and convey a story when applying acting concepts, skills, and techniques.
HS 117.316 LII - Creative Expression: production
HS 117.316 LII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.317 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.317 LIII - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.317 LIII - Creative Expression: production
- C.3.D perform a role such as actor, director, designer, technician, or editor in production decision making and collaborate with others to tell a story through live theatre or media performance.
- C.3.E perform the role of actor, director, or technician, demonstrating responsibility, artistic discipline, and creative problem solving.
HS 117.317 LIII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.318 LIV - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.318 LIV - Creative Expression: performance
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