CYT Improvisation Class Benchmarks
Improvisation 1
Create drama, humor and stories on the spot. This class will give you the basic principles of improvisation and give you the confidence to embrace everything that is thrown at you when you don't have a script in your hands. Learn team building skills that will strengthen your ability to play with your partners on stage. In this class that solely focuses on short-form improv, you will learn how to live “in the moment and confidently say Yes! to anything.
Benchmarks:
List basic improv terminology
Work within a cohesive ensemble of players
Establish the principles of location, relationship, and objective at the top of each new improv scene
Trust their fellow team members in group exercises and improv scenes
Confidently improvise onstage in front of an audience
Competitive Improv 2 (12-18)
Pre-requisite: 1 improv class
Ready to take your improv skills to the next level? This short-form improv class will build on what you already know in terms of the basics. We will experiment with more layered, complex scenarios. Explore how to create unique individual characters. And most importantly, we will add more improv games to our repertoire. So get ready to broaden your horizons and strengthen your spontaneity!
Benchmarks:
Work within a cohesive ensemble of players
Create rich, believable characters that can exist onstage
Trust their fellow team members in group exercises and improv scenes
Stay true to the location, relationship, and objective established at the top of an a new improv scene and keep the ball rolling
Say yes to the ideas that come from their partners rather than contradicting them: find a way to make it work
Improv 3 (14-18)
Pre-requisite: 2 improv classes
This class is for the seasoned improviser who wants to take on the ultimate challenge: long-form improv. This class will test your skills and stretch your abilities as you take your short-form improv fundamentals to a whole new level. We will focus most of our time on learning how to create and perform a standard Harold long-form piece. So if you think you're ready to tackle this unique art form, come join our advanced troupe!
Benchmarks:
Work within a cohesive ensemble of players
Understand the technical dynamics of what makes a long-form piece
Keep the overall story moving and developing from beginning to end
Be sensitive to other team players and be willing to share the stage
Be consistent with reoccurring characters and scenarios within a long-form piece
Improv 4 for teens: Improvathon (12-18)
Requirement to be eligible for Improvathon Team, Pre-req: 2 improv classes
An amazing opportunity for improvisors! This class will prepare students to audition for the CYT Chicago improv team, rehearsing Spring 2010 and competing in San Diego in Summer 2010. Focus on creating characters, group think, playing off your teammates, incorporating activities, emotions and accepting offers while learning the official games for Improvathon 2010. For more info on details regarding the Improvathon trip and eligibility, email lbranson@cytchicago.org.
Benchmarks:
Focus on agreement scenes & “yes anding”
Learn all the games from the Improvathon handbook
Learn how to utilize teammates and play off each other- perform groupthink exercises.
Incorporate performing activities into improv.
Creating characters for improv.
Utilizing environment & silence in improv.