Openings
This page is dedicated to set openings for Harolds or other long forms.
Invocation
Description
- A one word suggestion is gotten from the audience, usually an object.
- The cast "summons" the object with a specifically formatted incantation
- In each phase cast members step out, point towards the imagined object center stage, or use another manner of taking focus before delivering their line of the incantation.
- About 10-20 ideas(2-3 per cast member) should be shared in each phase except the final phase.
- IT IS
- In the it is phase the object is treated as a person.
- Cast members state
- YOU ARE
- In the you are phase the object is treated as a thing.
- Cast members talk directly to the object giving it a personal nature or human characteristics.
- Add on to other cast members ideas from the previous phase to help establish group mind and help memerable ideas rise to the top.
- THOU ART
- In the thou art phase the object is treated as a god.
- To endow the object with godlike qualities the cast members should deliver their lines with the energy and gravitas of a shakespearean actor.
- The cast members are essentially worshiping the object now.
- The cast members should return to ideas from the preious phases abstracting and distilling them for the upcoming scenes.
- I AM
- In the I am phase cast members become the object.
- Each cast member should speak only once in this phase.
- Don't introduce any new ideas in this phase.
- Ideally the cast is creating a list of their best ideas here at the end
- Once every cast member has said their I am line, they all say together "I am (the obect)!"
Example
- Suggestion: Can
- IT IS
- Improviser: It is a siren for my cat.
- Improviser: It is sturdy when full and fragile when empty.
- Improviser: It is modern and antique.
- 7-17 more...
- YOU ARE
- Improviser: Your cheapness is under appreciated.
- Improviser: You are dependable.
- Improviser: You are full of stinky cat food or delicious soup.
- 7-17 more...
- THOU ART
- Improviser: Thou art an endless boon whose importance humanity fails to realize!
- Improviser: Thou art that which contains boundless pleasures for all life forms of the earth!
- Improviser: Thou art a savior in some capacity no matter your physical condition.
- 7-17 more...
- I AM
- I am an undecerning helper!
- I am a thankless provider!
- I am a broken savior!
- Go until each cast member has had a turn
- (All in unison)I AM CAN!
Purpose
- This opening is great at allowing a team to generate group mind and build up ideas collaboratively.
- The theatricality is generally engaging to an audience.
Sources
- The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improv Manual (second edition) by Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh - p. 241
Tags
Exercise -
Listening -
Opening -
Performance -