The Natural Order

Prompt:

"If love is the natural order of things, we should stop resisting..."

Situation:

Any conflict. Contrast that conflict into a more natural order. Wind it down. Search for peace.

"How do you make that happen?"

"That's the challenge..."

Scene Prompt: Dealing With The Past

The more we pretend the past doesn't matter the more likely it is to haunt us.

Prompt:

Improvise a scene during which at least one character avoids dealing with the past -- its thoughts, its actions, and its consequences.

Notes:

It's drama, so of course, ramp up the stakes and the consequences

-- doug smith

What If?

What if we could not acknowledge that we are not who we used to be?

And, what if we could?

-- doug smith

Scene from a Quote: Thievery

When money rules, thieves will prosper.

-- doug smith

 

Practice!

We do best what we do most.

Practice. It's the best way (maybe the only way) to get better.

-- doug smith

Scene Prompt: If Perfection Was Easy

Opening Options: 

Introduce the prompt by announcing it (with one person or several in unison), OR by walking across the space carrying a sign that says "If perfection was easy..." OR by writing it on a white board or chalk board.

Build the scene based on the concept: 

If perfection was easy we'd be bored out of our minds.

Develop the scene by preventing boredom by making sure that nothing any of the characters do is easy.

-- doug smith

 

Improv Exercise: Smile Line

What to do:

Form two evenly distributed lines of people facing each other. In silence, practice smiling.

Small smiles, big smiles, devious smiles, friendly smiles...say nothing, simply smile.

Enhancements:

If you have a musician, encourage them to improvise quiet music as you all smile.

Variation:

Practice with hand-mirrors. Hold the mirrors up to your line partner to show them their smile.

End scene when:

If laughter ensues, let it trickle until everyone is laughing. If laughter does not ensue, someone must initiate it until it does spread. Allow everyone to savor the laughter until it slowly (or suddenly) trickles out.

-- doug smith

Some thoughts on smiles:

The best use of a mirror is to practice your smile.

A smile can help your attitude get over itself.

Practicing your smile is not only good for you, it's good for everyone around you, too.

It's harder to be mad at someone who likes you enough to smile for you.

Even a curious smile is better than no smile at all.

It's easier to face the future if you embrace the present with a smile.

-- doug smith