Improvisational Comedy is based on cooperation, connection and support of your teammates.  The best improvisers are those who make their partners look good, rather than just going for a quick or cheap laugh at the expense of the development of the scene.  The more you work to make the scene develop, instead of just going for a “look at me, I’m funny” moment, the better you will be at becoming a great improviser.

A cornerstone principle of Improv is called: “Yes, and…” What it means is that whatever your partner says or does – you consider it a gift, and you accept the offer by saying say “Yes” to it.  This doesn’t mean you have to agree with them, or even like what they are offering.  It means that you receive and acknowledge it – and then develop it in a new way – that is the “and” part. 

For example, if your scene partner says:  “Wow, it’s raining.” And you say: “No, it’s not,” the scene can grind to a halt.  Now your partner has to come up with something new, and this is called “wasteful” in Improv terms.  Or you could end up arguing about whether or not it is raining, which will be entertaining to the audience for about one second. 

Say “Yes…”

When your partner says its raining, you say: “Yes, it is raining.  And I hate the rain.”  Or “And I love the rain,” or “And my new peacock hat will be ruined.”  It is as if you have agreed and accepted the basic gift your scene partner has offered.  Then you added something new, which sends the scene in a fun and interesting direction.

It takes a certain discipline to say “Yes” and not “No” in a scene.  If you find yourself being a “no” person a lot in life, it may show up in this class when you try to do scenes.  You can learn to break this habit, and it may have very pleasant consequences in other areas of your life.

You Have to Really Listen to Accept Offers

You have to listen very attentively to what your scene partner offers.  You can’t say “Yes, and…” if you have been busy thinking about what you want to say, or if your aren’t really listening to them. 

Assume that everything (no matter how brilliant or stupid) your partner says is a fabulous suggestion – because it can become one in your hands as you put your twist on it.  The secret to great improv is to listen, and not miss any opportunities that come your way. 

Great improv is like a ping-pong game where neither player misses a ball.  Everything that is said in a scene is something you can develop.  You do not have to like it or even agree with it, but you just need to accept it as a playful ball that has come your way.

Say Yes to Life!

Learning the power of saying yes can have a huge impact on your life.  So often we are judging or resisting things that are delivered by others.  We often define ourselves by who or what we don’t like.  Improv gets you into the discipline of saying yes, or partnering with the people and all the things that come your way.  The result is that you get into sync with those around you.  People enjoy you more because they feel you are on their side.

Practice Saying “Yes…and”

Take a day, or a week, or thirty days, and practice saying: “Yes, and…” to everything that is offered to you.  Let’s say someone says: “I love Kim Chee,” and you hate Kim Chee.  You can say “Yes.  And I love Kung Pao Chicken.”  In this way, the conversational ball stays in motion.  You are true to yourself, and haven’t said that you like Kim Chee, but you have offered something up in exchange for their gift.  This is the art of living!  And it is what makes great improvisers!

Here’s two You-Tubes demonstrating Yes, and...”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe2a3ppacUk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLBlDRAaHE0

This great example below is from “Whose Line is it Anyway”  Notice how they apply the concept of Yes, And...without using those words.   You can see how they don't drop anything, and treat everything as a gift in -- Sound Effects.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4blSNuXhGY&feature=related

Genie Joseph, M.A.

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