Improvisation

Created by Karen Loftus

Students sharpen their listening and reaction skills through improv games, exercises, and scenes. They will learn 5 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 humour.

There are so many different ways to approach a unit on improvisation. Keep in mind that you will have students who are really excited about this unit and some students who dread it. It’s best to start with low risk games and exercises and then build up to higher risk ones. Low risk games in this situation mean partnered interactions that aren’t shared with the whole class. Teachers can also refer to the Pacing Guide for more details and ways to supplement with other DTA materials.

The unit culminates in a short improv performance. A rubric is included for the performance as long as journal prompts and exit slips.

Unit Overview

Additional Attachments

1: Accept the Offer

Students apply this guidelines through the games “Yes and…” “Yes Let’s,” and Low Risk Experts.

2: Make Choices/Bring Information

Students learn the word “endow” and apply the concept through the exercise Low Risk Endowment.

3: Take the Active Choice

Students discuss what it means to take the active choice and apply the concept in Quiet Scenes.

4: Make Your Partner Look Good

Students apply this guideline through the games Cars, Vans, Buses, Blocking on Purpose, Questions Only and Here Comes Charley.

5: Relax, Have Fun and Don’t Force the Humour

Students discuss what it means to not “force” the humour. They play all the games from the unit in a high risk setting, as volunteers in front of the class.

Attachments

Participation Rubric

6: Unit Project

The final project will allow the students to demonstrate their improv skills in a 2-person scene. A rubric and final reflection is included.

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Improvisation

Standards Addressed