classes / rules of improv / games / lesson plans
Classes
Off the Cuff currently teaches Improv Sports every Friday from 4-6pm in GC 109 on the SUU campus. All are welcome, student or not, beginning or advanced.
OTC is also available to teach workshops to various age groups and levels of improv experience. Please contact us through our booking page if you are interested.
Rules
You can't truly enjoy improv until you learn and adhere to these very basic rules. Keep in mind, however, that you may see some of these rules being broken on our OTC stage - but only because the cast knows and has practiced these rules well enough to know when it is appropriate to break them. More on this will be covered in classes and workshops, but the general principle applies: You can't break the rules until you know them.
1. Never say no ("Yes, and ... ").
2. RESPECT your fellow actors.
3. Leave your ego at the door.
4. Commit Fully.
Games
Below are some of the cast's favorite improv games, all of which can be seen at our weekly shows!
Revolver: 4 players stand in a square; 2 in front, 2 behind them. They rotate through each position in sequence, so that each pair of actors gets a suggestion for their scene (4 scenes all together). The ref can then make the actors revolve at any time - when he calls out "Forward 2" for example, the players move to the right 2 positions, and that scene starts or continues.
Jyparody: This is a 4 player game where each player first makes up their own buzzer sound. Then, we play just like the real Jeopardy, with the other players assisting as categories. Instead of serious "questions," our players come up with clever puns and word plays to define the answer. Whoever comes up with the funniest question to the category wins.
Oscar Winning Moments: A regular 4 person scene, except for one special thing — when the Ref stops a player and says "Oscar Winning Moment," that player has to then give the performance of their life, like the nomination clips you see at the Oscars.
Film Noir: 2 players perform a scene in the style of an old film noir - complete with melodramatic, impromptu, step-out monologues.
Bad Advice: 4 players each take on a character and then proceed to answer audience questions with the worst advice they can come up with.
Understudy: This is a 4 player game, but with only 2 players on stage at each time. Until it is their turn, the last 2 players can not see or hear the scene. The 2 beginning players do a 1 minute scene. One of them falls "ill" and leaves and one of the sequestered players comes out to take their spot. The returning player from the scene before guides them through with clever hints and prompts. That player then falls ill and the remaining player takes their place for the third, final and often hysterically distorted version of the scene.
Lesson Plans
Developed by Wade Arave, full-time cast member. To open or save, right click on the link and select "Save Target As."
Listening
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