Improv!
Contributing Educator: Brian Avers
IMPROV! is a course designed to immerse students in the joyful, imaginative, creative, collaborative world-building craft of Improvisation. From foundational games and hilarious exercises—to instant-performances and an invited Final Jam —students will learn life-long principles of trust, teamwork & the spirit of Play!
This 8-Topic course features iconic Improv games such as “Yes And”, “Sound Ball”, “Translator”, “Character Toss”, “Story Duel”, “Trust Jump”, “Partner Sculpting”, “Mirror, Mirror”, “Emotional Echo” and more—with solo challenges, two-person scenes and group explorations peppered throughout the journey. Your class is encouraged to include an invited Final Improv Jam, to celebrate learned skills with friends and family—and group discussions / activity journals will allow student-players to reflect on how these values of improvisation can expand and elevate our ability to communicate and collaborate with anyone!
Lesson Plans Included: 8
Materials: Lesson Slides and Google Doc Printable Resources are included to help guide your work and support student learning.
Grade Levels: Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan Topics
- FOUNDATIONAL IMPROV GAMES—Games & exercises that ignite core principles of great Improv! (TH:Pr4.1.I.a)
- EXPRESSION! (Loud! Weird! Brave!)—Unlock physical & vocal expressivity (in safe, supported ways)! (TH:Pr4.1.I.b)
- THE GIFT OF YOUR PARTNER—Build strong ‘listening, love and trust muscles’—relish the other person! (TH:Pr5.1.I.a)
- HEIGHTEN & EXPLORE—Create new worlds, explore ideas & embrace the Absurd!
- THE PRESENT IS A PRESENT—Live in the moment, with presence, eye contact & open instincts! (TH:Pr4.1.I.b)
- IMAGINATION = REALITY—Use your imagination & 5 senses to make the invisible real! (TH:Pr4.1.I.a)
- PUTTING IT TOGETHER—Dive into multi-character, short-form improv scenes! (TH:Pr5.1.I.a)
- FINAL JAM! ... (& REAL-WORLD IMPROV)—Consider future improv values... and rock your INVITED JAM! (TH:Pr4.1.I.b)
