MORE Improv vocab

APPENDIX

Here is some additional IMPROV vocabulary:

by Dan Goldstein. First version 1996, last 2009.

blackout - A very short scene, often just a few seconds. Three of

                   them make a runner.

characterizing action - an action which says to the other

                                         performers and the audience what

                                        sort of occupation or social role the

                                        character has. These are often used

                                        to begin scenes, such as when teachers

                                        erase blackboards, and what not.

denial - Trashing what somebody else has set up on stage, be it

               mime or fact

fourth wall - The wall that isn't there which, if existed, would go

                       between the players and the audience. Beginners

                       need to be careful about turning one's back on the

                       fourth wall!

gag scenes - Very short, funny scenes. People doing them should

                       not feel obligated to further the plot or present any

                       vital information. These scenes are just plain fun and

                       the people on lights should treat them as such.

justification - providing an explanation for something the audience
                        saw that didn't make sense

reflexive action - an action a character does repeatedly and

                              unconsciously. Helps make the character stand

                              out from the crowd, as well as seem familiar like

                              an old friend, or that special pair of moccasins.

                              One way to "take care of yourself" on stage.

rule of a thousand - continuing on after the rule of three until

                                    things become funny again. Some people

                                   believe this works something like a sine wave,

                                   so there's always hope some thing may get

                                   funny again even if it's starting to look really

                                  desperate.

rule of three - Three humorous events (scenes, jokes, etc.) on the

                          same topic or with the same gist. The third is always 

                          the hardest hitting.

runner - three blackouts on the same theme with the third one

               being the biggest larf of all.

status - Whoever has influence or control over a situation has the

               higher status in the scene. Many pre-defined stock

               relationships, such as, judge / plaintiff have status build

               right into them. Status can easily invert and this can

               become the plot of entire stories, a la Trading Places.

yes and - two great words which encourage the person who says

                them to accept information and add to it